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More than a Bus Stop

As an ongoing design incentive that was part of a movement spurred by Sri. A. Pradeep K MLA and IIA Calicut centre, De Earth Architects reimagines a bus stop near the Medical College Calicut to create a contemporary space that makes the monotonous anticipation for public transport an agreeable activity.

Calicut is undergoing a plethora of changes through a facelift design solution that has grown out a beautiful partnership between the Sri. A. Pradeep K MLA and IIA Calicut centre, known for their social and public initiatives. This collective movement of the people’s representative and professionals are spurred by a desire to unveil the potential of public spaces and the values embedded in the society. This unique partnership has been exploring the true prospects of design in every facet of life from birth to death, right from Ammathottatil, Anganwadi, primary schools, educational institutions, bus stops, hospitals, parks, old age shelters and crematoriums.

Here, we look at such a public and social facelift carried out by De Earth Architects, a firm that strongly believes in traditional systems and design processes to create contemporary solutions. An elongated structure that fits into the land profile, the bus stop becomes an interesting façade, traditional in its design yet contemporary in meeting its functional needs.

“We hardly had an 8 meter long 1.2 m wide strip. Our first decision was to request the medical college to devote a little more space behind the bus stop, which as a rear waste dumping yard of a building. we finally attained a 2.4 m depth. Our decision to make two sets of stops, with a small intermediate garden passage was deliberate to create positive responses all around, even to the rear yard. The designed grill with a leaf motive welcomes one’s attention to the rear yard and get people to maintain that space with much more responsibility,” explains Akshaya K, the landscape architect of De Earth.

Landscape architect “Our decision to split the seats was critical, as long seats may invite people to sleep over them. individual seats ensured there is enough secure feeling to all of them while being ideal comfort for a short-term sitting. The location of planters on all sides provides a pleasure of waiting and the seaters are well placed to give a good direct view of approaching bus,” she says.

“We tried to create a very contemporary design language, but with traditional materials and character. The gable roof was made floating from a free-standing wall as a concept which created continuity for the pedestrian walk and made the roof look independent and subtle. A small opening in the wall was to incorporate any important notices and to encourage an interactive space,” according to Akshaya.

Plan of the Bus Stop