Patterns of Living is a series of case studies on architecture in India.
A research collaboration between the MCHG's Vikram Bhatt and Terrance Galvin (MCHG alumnus, 1989-91), the project was sponsored by the McGill School of Architecture and the CIDA Youth Program. It resulted in two publications, Patterns of Living I & II, published in 1993 and 1994.
The central idea behind the Patterns of Living project is to record local places, while acting sensitively in an attempt to relate what we would traditionally call architectural research with design. Since research in architecture is not as developed as it is in other disciplines, the importance of determining culturally appropriate design through drawings, photo essays and interviews was the focus of our research. Ultimately, it is through acts of design and construction that we are able to test the success of our architectural research.
Patterns of Living I deals with increasing the density of an existing industrial township called Tribeni Tissues, located in West Bengal. The case study documents a traditional Indian village in Uttar Pradesh called Tora Village, with a population of 1300. Tora is situated on the outskirts of Agra, a popular tourist mecca due to its proximity to the Taj Mahal. At the time of publication, the land adjoining the village was to be used to accommodate a large hotel/conventional centre as a result of the growing tourist demand. Our goal was to assess the positive or negative impact of this hotel on the neighbouring environment, through recording the existing village and assessing the needs of the villagers in order to formulate a comprehensive development plan. As it may appear, this is not an easy task when the pressures of economic gain, political control and technological seduction are in play.
