Children's Home as a model of family based care system, Kolar, Bhopal

Abstract

There is no denying that every society requires all its members to prosper. Multiple studies have been conducted to explore the problems faced by orphanages that have been neglected in India. Although evidence indicates that the quality of services in orphanages is always a major issue, the physical environment also affects the children’s’ mental and physical health. Family care is the care provided in the setting of a family like adoption or foster care system. Whil institutional is provided in registered institutes like orphanages, children’s home, temporary shelte etc. In India with the declining rate of adoptions, the presence of institutes is a necessary development. Hence the concept of institute with a family-based care system is the optimal solutio to this problem. The purpose of this study is to define a different ideology of children’s home while trying to resolv issues like inclusiveness and sense of belonging that are faced by the residents of such institutions This project is the design of a children’s home and educational institute in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The site is located at a proposed institutional site in the Master Plan of Bhopal. It is contoured and lies towards the Southwest corner of Bhopal, in the outlying reaches of Kaliyasot Dam. The concept of the design is a village as stated in an African proverb, ’It takes a village to raise a child.’ Thus, the site planning is compact in nature with open spaces interspersed throughou the volume. Low height development indicates to its countryside nature and contextual harmony. Local materials have been used throughout the building bringing about a sense of inclusivity and familiarity. To resolve the problem of exclusion faced by the children, a school and a Learning Centre have been designed within the campus.