Informal Surgery is a design experiment to dissect and examine an informal settlement in India, aiming to surgically add a series of architectural objects such as Sanitation Facilities reminiscing “Baoli” - Indian Stepwells, Residential Units recalling “Haveli” - Traditional Mansion, Smoke Infrastructures following the traditional construction methods and Public Spaces inspired by “Baithak” - A Communal Space. The purpose of this is to enhance the environment for the residents of Kumbharwada - the potters’ settlement in Dharavi, to thrive and prosper. An eager endeavour is made to not merely address the issues at the site but to formulate an environment that the residents rejoice and relish.

Rules for Urban Insertions

Keeping the current density, this research endeavours to make rules to surgically intervene at the site. Firstly, maintaining the individual plot boundaries. Secondly, retaining the block dimension. And thirdly, conserving the streetscape. The research operates on four blocks in the site. The process initiates with identifying the dilapidated and temporary structures, to then perform surgical urban insertions.

Sanitation Facility

An architectural object is surgically added to provide sanitation facility in the block for the residents, by replacing two identified units. While, the framework of the object is designed to facilitate sanitation, the spaces can be customised by the residents through their own colours, textures and patterns. The facility reminisces traditional Indian stepwells as a classical precedent of a bathing space with strong communal characteristics.

Residential Units

The second surgical insertion is an object that facilitates 3 residential units and working spaces. An operation on the existing dilapidated unit is conducted to inject the residential facilities. The inhabitants are envisaged to bring the object to life through their distinguished colours, textures and spaces. The proposed residential unit recalls traditional Indian havelis with embedded courtyards.  This is done to translate its qualities at site. Individual units are 6 meters high and follow the examined incremental principles at the site. The aim for the proposed stairwell is to expand the transitional qualities and incorporate a sense of community observed in traditional Havelis.

Smoke Infrastructure

The third surgical insertion is a chimney to all the kilns to reduce the amount of smoke experienced by the residents. The incorporation of the chimney takes into account the traditional construction methods in India.

Public Space

This surgical operation is to plant a communal space in the place of an obsolete residential unit.This intervention reminisces “Baithak” – a community gathering space where people share and discuss ideas, issues, learnings and teachings. 

Culmination

The operation conducted in the four blocks proposes “a base model” that can be expanded to all the blocks in the site. The research culminates with an intermediate alternative between the existing and the states’ proposal, through a series of surgical operations in Kumbharwada, in order to provide the residents with an upgraded environment to thrive and prosper.

The design experiment culminates with a proposal which is an intermediate alternative between the existing informal settlement and the state’s proposal for total clearance of the informal settlement.