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SIRC
Design
Competition
The
design has been prepared as a response to the
requirements of the brief, the site, the specific
nature of the activities of the center and within
the context of the local settings and budgetary
constraints. The following highlights the major
points of considerations for the project design and
implementation:
Concept Design
An underlying set of design principles for the
spinal injury center along with site specific
considerations have governed the design and have
directly affected the resulting layouts, forms and
details. Design principles include wheelchair
accessible design, maximizing natural light and
ventilation, clear and well defined spaces (indoor,
transitional and outdoor) and the provision of same
means of use for all with visual separations where
unavoidable. Site specific considerations include
the maximizing the horizontal activity area with
optimum cut and fill, staggered plan form to
increase natural light and ventilation, as well as
the provision of courtyards, both internal and
external, for circulation and activity centers.
Distinct circulation patterns for patients,
visitors, staff, and service access have been
provided. A protected lower level for therapy areas
have been broken up into indoor and outdoor spaces
with a trellised transition which aids in the lower
body temperature control of the spinal injury
victims.
The
architectural treatment of forms and materials is
designed to give the feel of the surrounding
locality without being overly intricate or costly.
Basic building materials such as exposed brickwork
and plaster along with elements of tiled slope roofs
on generally flat rooftop terraces helps maintain
the human scale of the surrounding settlements.
These sloped roofs are built on steel trusses that
can be raised to a higher level if a new floor is to
be added in future for vertical expansion of the
otherwise flat concrete roofs.
Services and Maintenance
 Design
of services such as electrical and sanitary systems
will be carried in order to minimize maintenance and
complications – i.e. the proposed budgets include
provision of CPVC pipes as opposed to rust prone G.I.
pipes and energy efficient CFL lights as opposed to
conventional GLS fixtures. As far as possible,
locally serviceable equipment and technology will be
utilized. The building finishes, fixtures and
fittings will be selected keeping the subsequent
maintenance costs in mind. For example, protection
of walls up to dado height in major circulation
areas may require a slight increase in initial
capital expenditure but will outweigh maintenance
costs occurred in repainting these areas every few
years. The main service areas and plants are
separated from the hospital and placed lower down on
the site to minimize disturbance to the main
facility.
Sustainable Design / Energy Conservation
Low level of mechanization for services will be a
primary consideration. For example, hydro pneumatic
systems for water distribution may be replaced with
a central water tank that does not need constant
energy for supply. Also, there are far lesser
complications in case of leakage and breakdowns.
Similarly, a reed bed based Effluent Treatment Plant
has been proposed as it requires very little energy
compared to conventional mechanized plants. Please
note that such reed based treatment plants have been
designed and are operating successfully at various
facilities throughout the country. A rainwater
harvesting pond has also been allocated at the lower
edge of the site so that storm water during rains
can be diverted and stored for drier periods. Soak
pits will be provided in various places for ground
water recharge. This will also help reduce the
runoff from the site and lessen chances of
contributing to downstream flooding. Site
landscaping will be carried out with a mix of hard
and soft landscape that includes indigenous plants
and trees.
To reduce or eliminate dependence of mechanical
ventilation and air-conditioning, the use of
staggered plan form for natural airing, outdoor and
indoor courtyards for controlled temperature have
been used as the climate in Kathmandu is quite
pleasant for most of the year. Naturally lighted
public and patient areas reduces the necessity for
artificial lighting during the daytime.
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