Supporting healthier lifestyles in Kochi through research informed design.

This project aims to address physical health in Kochi, where it is currently declining, primarily through improved walkability.

The urban grain, harsh tropical climate, sprawl, overwhelming motor-vehicle use, and lack of eyes-on-the-street make walking uncomfortable and unsafe - leading to a negative cycle of increasing vehicle use and declining pedestrian activity.

This proposal uses mixed-use to target the lack of eyes-on-the-street, especially at night. At ground level, markets and cafes open out onto the existing street and an inner courtyard. Levels 1-2 incorporate cafes, student accommodation, and gardens to be used to produce organic ingredients as an alternative to the street food norms. Use of passive cross-ventilation maintains lower temperatures in all spaces as well as the role of vegetation supporting the urban-microclimate and for shade and shelter. Space syntax was used throughout the development process to support the proposal of new routes through the site and maximising the social interaction within the development.