PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Pillaichavdykuppam Community Center project involves the building of a community center and renovation of an existing public toilet block. Using the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) method, and hands-on design workshops, Architecture for Humanity (AFH) and LEAD assisted the community in identifying their needs, evaluating the grants available through AFH, and in creating a program for design. With the guidance of the design team, the community identified the need for a multi-purpose indoor community hall for cultural and communal events, a women’s Self Help Group (SHG) office, a combined youth and children’s room with library, a miscellaneous storage (combined with SHG office), toilets and a terrace for dining during functions.The existing public toilet block, a pre-tsunami structure, was heavily damaged by the tsunami to an unusable state. Renovation of the toilet block is proposed, in lieu of building new ones. The construction is scheduled to begin immediately. Update on September 26, 2007: Work on the foundations for the community has begun. Existing roof over toilet has been demolished.
