RETHINKING FACTORIES -ADAPTIVE REUSE OF HISTORIC INDUSTRIAL SITE OF KOZHIKODE AS A SOCIAL HUB

Abstract

Adaptive reuse of old or abandoned buildings brings environmental and cultural benefits to structures which are not fulfilling their original function . The design strategy aims to retain the authenticity of the built heritage and at the same time new building techniques and styles are applied for the retaining process and a new function is added to the structure or the complex . Nowadays, Adaptive reuse is gaining more recognition than ever before .The Adaptive reuse strategy aims to bring the past and present together . Some of the buildings may have significance in the location and should be preserved in order to honour the history of the place and the locals. By preserving and adaptively reusing ,It can reflect the local life , maintain local identity and character, minimize the depletion of non-renewable heritage assets, and empower community action and involvement. Kozhikode is famous for its trade and history . During the 18 & 19 th century , the city witnessed development in architecture and happens to see them even today . The mishkal mosque, Tali temple , Beach hospital etc being the famous among them , there are many un-noticed buildings of historic character . The Feroke region , which lies in the urban outskirts of the city, has many buildings of such character. Being the land for industrial revolution in the Malabar region of kerala , feroke has many tile factories of rich architectural character built in the late 19th century. The standard tile company is one of them , built in 1910 , it has a strategic location and also significant history and architecture which makes the complex an industrial heritage. Feroke being the ground for industrial revolution , the lineage of the residents back to the migrant population who settled near industries looking for jobs . The Area being an industrial town , less attention was given to developing public facilities. Even today , the area lacks adequate public facilities . Beginning of the 21st century witnessed the crisis in the industrial field and led to the closing of these industries. The area alone used to have 22 of the tile factories shrinked to just two of them , which also are in the risk of shutting down . And the buildings are either demolished or are in a dilapidated stage . so it is important to save those inorder to retain identity and the history of the region. Through the thesis project, it has been explored how to protect those buildings by reusing them to accommodate functions of public character. The project thus helps in the development of required facilities in the existing community and also preserves the identity of the community. The project also explores how these conversions can be beneficial to the community in economic, political and cultural terms. Keywords : Adaptive reuse, Industrial heritage , Public spaces, deindustrialised, social hub , socio-cultural .