Informal Surgery

Informal Surgery is a design experiment to dissect and examine an informal settlement in India, aiming to surgically add a series of architectural objects such as Sanitation Facilities reminiscing “Baoli” - Indian Stepwells, Residential Units recalling “Haveli” - Traditional Mansion, Smoke Infrastructures following the traditional construction methods and Public Spaces inspired by “Baithak” - A Communal Space. The purpose of this is to enhance the environment for the residents of Kumbharwada - the potters’ settlement in Dharavi, to thrive and prosper.

An eager endeavour is made to not merely address the issues at the site but to formulate an environment that the residents rejoice and relish. The aim is to address the 3 S’s identified at site post-examination, that are space, sanitation and smoke. This is conducted by coupling the examined incremental principles at site with the formulated rules for the urban insertions.

The design experiment culminates with a proposal which is an intermediate alternative between the existing informal settlement and the state’s proposal for total clearance of the informal settlement.

“When I’m working on a problem, I never think about beauty. But when I’m finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it’s wrong.” - Buckminster Fuller