Design Competition
Goal: To design an eco-friendly, culturally resonant terminal for the Kochi Water Metro, integrating modern transport needs with Fort Kochi’s historical context.
Architectural design competition entry for the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) Water Metro initiative - A personal project undertaken during the semester break.
4 Weeks
Completed June 2024
4 A2 presentation sheets
Client presentation
Divya Rajesh
Anjana Radhu
Dayal Sebastian
Representatives from KMRL
Padma Shri G. Shankar*
*The Padma Shri is India’s fourth-highest civilian award, given in recognition of significant achievements across fields such as arts, education, and social service.
Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL)
Design Lead
Site Study and Documentation
Structural Design
Concept Development and Visualisation
Urban Design
Presentation and Communication
Leadership and Team Coordination
Site Analysis and Documentation
Sustainable Design Practices
Time Management
Structural Design
2nd Place in the KMRL Water Metro Design Competition
Consultants for the Kochi Water Metro Design Team
With the city growing exponentially and the available road space becoming choked with an increasing number of private vehicles, Kochi has decided to adopt more sustainable mass public transport options. Along with the introduction of the metro rail, the city plans to revive its traditional modes of mobility, such as the waterways. With the proposed fleet of 78 passenger boats and 38 jetties, the Kochi Water Metro shall become the second-largest water transport system for passengers after Venice. The following design was our proposal for the Water Metro Terminal at Fort Kochi.
Fort Kochi is a dramatic setting that has frozen history in its beautiful architecture. The locale is a timeless canvas that continues to tell its story through remnants of the past. We aim to re-tell this story now, adding onto what was left behind. The image of the beautiful Chinese fishing nets resting on the edge of the beach, running alongside the water, will forever be the identity of Fort Kochi—something that reminds us of the essence of what Kochi was known for: the fishing trade. We’ve drawn our inspiration from this essence, aiming to add to the canvas in a way that enhances and reinstills this impression in the hearts of those who use the terminal.
The site exudes a calm, timeless quality. In the evenings, sunlight filters through the fishing nets, illuminating scenes of daily life: fishermen selling their catch on the sidewalks, tourists strolling past, and locals enjoying chai under the shade of rain trees. Amidst this activity, we positioned the terminal to integrate harmoniously with the surroundings, respecting the natural rhythms and public use of the area.
Locating the terminal building on the given site.
The terminal is located between the fishing nets and rain trees, connecting Fort Kochi to other city terminals. We used the existing pedestrian walkway from the beach as a central artery, guiding users from the terminal to feeder buses at a nearby junction. The extended walkway leads to a landscaped plaza, enhancing multimodal connectivity. Vehicular traffic is carefully managed with a circular drop-off zone, set back from the main road to minimise congestion. An adjacent park, now integrated with the terminal via a vehicle-free plaza, offers pedestrians and cyclists direct access from the beach through a new park link walkway.
Plan showing separation of pedestrian and vehicle circulation on site.
A bicycle rental facility provides last-mile connectivity, allowing users to reach their destinations seamlessly. Hawker stands are thoughtfully designed around existing trees, providing space for nine leasable stalls. A night berthing dock at the site’s edge, near the existing refuelling station, doubles as an informal amphitheatre with adjacent raked seating, enhancing the space for community gatherings and entertainment.
Section and Plan of the leasable units designed around the existing trees.
Plan showing zoning of the terminal.
Image showing evolution of the wicker weave shell roof from Chinese finishing nets
This was an intense, four-week project, and I had the privilege of living and working closely with an exceptional design team, which included an urban designer and an archaeological expert on Fort Kochi. It was an honour to present our proposal to the KMRL panel, Padma Shri G. Shankar, and the Mayor of Kochi. Being recognised with an award and later consulting with the KMRL design team on the construction of the Water Metro Terminal was a remarkable experience. The terminal standing today is a blend of two winning entries, one of which was ours—a truly humbling accomplishment.
One of the most rewarding moments came from seeing the hawkers benefiting from the stands I incorporated into the design. Hearing them express gratitude for the chance to continue their livelihoods, now enhanced by increased pedestrian activity due to our proposed changes in vehicle and pedestrian access, was profoundly fulfilling.
However, there were lessons to be learned. During our final presentation, certain aspects of the design weren’t conveyed as clearly as they could have been. G. Shankar noted that this lack of clarity cost us first place—a reminder of the importance of thorough preparation and communication, which I will carry forward into future projects.
Additionally, some sustainable features, such as the shell structure originally intended to be crafted by local wicker artisans, proved challenging to source and were not ultimately implemented. This highlighted the need for rigorous feasibility studies in the early stages to ensure that technical details are both achievable and well-researched. This project was a valuable learning experience, both in terms of design execution and the importance of practical feasibility, and I’m grateful for the insights gained.
dayalsebastian@outlook.com
Dayal Sebastian - Design Portfolio 2024