Farah Synopsis

Project # 1 Low Cost And Earthquake Resistant Housing Design

Abstract

The proposed project for thesis is to develop a housing scheme in the valley of swat, based on low cost and earthquake resisting design. Since, swat comes under earthquake zone so there are more chances for earthquakes to occur in that area, as a case happened in 2005 when most of the valley was destroyed by the natural disaster. City was demolished and people lost their homes. Since then, there is no such development occurred to rehabilitate those people. There is a need to introduce a system that offers a living which is affordable and is also earthquake resistant to minimize risks to property and life.

Introduction

The lush green and historic Swat Valley lies between 34°-40′ to 35° N latitude and 72′ to 74°-6′ E longitude and is part of the Provincially Administrated Tribal Area (PATA) of the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. The valley is an integral part of the strategic and significant region where three parts of the Asian continent–South Asia, Central Asia and China, meet. swat valley is basically a tourist attraction where there are a number of valleys, lakes and river flows. A number of hotels and resorts are present in the area which offers accommodation and entertainment for the tourist. There are many proposed projects for the rehabilitation of the people and amongst those projects, a project was initiated by UN-AID in swat valley which was the development of around 350 houses with proper sewerage and sanitation facilities, but due to some reasons it could not find its way to become a reality. There are other such projects which are either proposed or some of them are started but due to the funding problems or some other governmental problems, they are not completed yet. This housing scheme will be based on low cost housing design and that too would be an earthquake resistant to meet the needs of Swat people, so by this system their living could improve and they could promote tourism in their area.

Problem Domain

Low cost and efficient design is an important factor which is to be considered for any project. Swat is an underdeveloped area and that too was converted to ruins after the natural disaster hit the area back in 2005. People were homeless and still there is a great percentage of people who are not back to their previous living conditions. Therefore, there is a need for an affordable living in a form of a housing society to facilitate the people and to provide them with a better place for living.

Solution Domain

Affordable housing is a term used to describe dwelling units whose total housing costs are deemed "affordable" to those that have a median income. Low cost housing is the need of hour and many low cost housing projects are already completed in previous years. Swat is a region that needs to be developed for many reasons. It is a tourist attraction too and the locals residing over there are in poor conditions. So to start with development, urbanization is the first and foremost step.

Feasibility

The site for this project of low cost and earthquake resistant design is in swat. It is around 120 acres. This was the project first initiated and funded by UN-AID. There was a development of 350 houses with proper sewerage and sanitation systems, a police station and an urban centre but due to some reasons this project is cancelled. I want to work on the same lines for my thesis project on the basis of my interest in low cost housing and an earthquake resistant design.

Project # 2  The Architectural Way

Abstract

Architectural way is project to create certain viewpoints in natural environment. This project is to promote tourism and to make easy and accessible routes to see and enjoy scenic beauty of the country. We have a country blessed with so much natural beauty starting from northern areas which have a number of beautiful mountain ranges, rivers, lakes and breathtaking natural beauty to the coastal areas. But, unfortunately we don't have resources to promote tourism in our country in an effective way. Architectural way is a project that would be a tool to attract tourists to those places and would economically benefit our country.

Introduction

Pakistan with its diverse cultures, people and landscapes has attracted 0.7 million tourists to the country, almost double to that of a decade ago. The country's attraction range from the ruin of civilization such as Mohenjo-daro, Harappa and Taxila, to the Himalayan hill stations, which attract those interested in winter sports. Pakistan is home to several mountain peaks over 7000 m, which attracts adventurers and mountaineers from around the world, especially K2. The north part of Pakistan has many old fortresses, ancient architecture and the Hunza and Chitral valley.

At present, there is no such project started yet to develop any view points to capture and enjoy scenic beauty of these breathtaking places. Architectural way would be a project of such a kind to amalgamate indoors with the outdoors. To develop a way to enjoy natural beauty as deep as possible. One of the project has been developed in Islamabad which is the Pakistan monument and it has a kind of view point from where one can enjoy the beauty of its surroundings, but that too is a small scale development. Pakistan need these activities on a larger scale so that tourism can be promoted.

Problem Domain

Pakistan( northern area) is basically a tourist attraction. But, unfortunately we don't have any effective ways to promote tourism in our country. We have beautiful mountain ranges, rivers, lakes but we don't have easy access to those places and that too these area are not developed. If these areas would have been properly developed, then the chances to promote tourism would increase manifolds. Therefore, the need of the hour is to develop these areas to promote tourism in the country.

Feasibility

The site for this project is not selected till now but most probably it would be in northern areas (naran, kaghan). There are 2 major lakes at that place, one is Lake saif-al-malook and the other one is Ansoo Lake. Since, these two lakes are the major attractions of Naran valley, therefore, this project would be best suited to be develop at one of these places.

(Some reference images for this project)

Project # 3 Engineering Kinetics Office, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Engineering Kinetics is one of the  DDFC group of companies working since 1982. This is a mechanical construction company specializing in plant erection. Presently their head office is in township industrial area. They have to shift their office to Sundar industrial state where they have a site size of 15 acres which will include their head office and workshop.

Feasibility

This is a live project of an office, a workshop and warehouse design. Since, it is a live project and is in the process of construction, therefore is very much feasible and interesting to work with proper requirements given by clients and to produce a design in a constrained environment.

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