Premasree

Located 30kms from Kolkata, Premasree is a free blind home for children - an abode of love and care. 30 kids are presently hosted in its sprawling campus. The centre is at a critical juncture and is presently looking for additional ways to scale up - hosting experts, practitioners and social welfare workers and alternative revenue models are high priority issues. With a limited CSR funding (from Federal Bank of India), this project seeks to value add to Premasree’s present infrastructural setup.

The intervention - ANKUR (seeds of germination for better tomorrow), takes the form of a clustered space for living, working and interacting with and within the institution - helping Premasree scale up its activities and impact. Paucity of funds forced an adaptive approach and utilisation of existing assets to maximise impact.

The two unit cluster are self-contained living/working spaces built on top of existing foundations.  Locally available materials (bricks, bamboo) were innovatively used, material waste was minimised, traditional techniques (tile roof) and master craftsmen were involved to make the process as collaborative and impactful as possible. The space is thus an assemblage of different elements, a melody of juxtaposition and contrast in a simple, elegant form. It is fast, efficient, low-cost and eco-friendly - an exercise in passion and innovation. The interiors in progress also adopt locally available handicrafts and artefacts to complete the rustic, context appropriate space which champions integrated, simple living.

Location: Ghatakpukur, West Bengal
Client: Biju Nair and Aditi Nair, Premasree Foundation
Year: 2020 - ongoing