THESIS ABSTRACT TOPIC : Underground Space Design. FUNCTION : Public space such as an art gallery complex.

INTRODUCTION When most people think of underground spaces, the mind automatically pictures a dark dingy sort of space and the thought brings about feelings such as fear, entrapment, coldness and claustrophobia. In this thesis however, when the term 'underground space for habitation' is used, it refers to a space that has been developed specifically for humans to navigate and feel comfortable in. The level of comfort experienced by the user depends on the degree of implementation of quality enhancing design guidelines. This study therefore also seeks to break the misconception that underground spaces are only for services and other such nonpeople oriented functions. The function chosen for this space is that of a public space such as an art gallery complex. This function is specifically chosen for the main reason that natural light is an unwanted feature for such spaces and since most above ground galleries avoid windows altogether, the interior space of an underground gallery would not differ much and therefore not have any negative psychological effects on the users. RELEVANCE OF THE PROJECT With the constant population growth and consequent loss of habitable land area, going below ground seems to be one of the most rational options. Also, it comes with the benefits of retaining the integrity of the landscape on ground and energy conservation through passive heat storage techniques. While this may be true, underground spaces also have their limitations such as lack of open space and natural ventilation. Therefore, the drawbacks of such constructions need to be equally considered. The purpose of this thesis is to achieve a wholesome understanding of the need and use of underground spaces and as a result, to showcase design guidelines with an ideal design that would serve as a model and help one to carry out an effective underground space design. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE This thesis aims to fully understand the scope for underground construction around the world while considering the possible advantages and disadvantages. It seeks to reason the need for underground spaces and derive some basic design principles that need to be considered while designing for an underground space. The objective of this research is to justify the need for underground constructions and to single out design principles that could be applied to the conception of an

underground space with the functionality of a medium scale public complex such as an art gallery. To achieve this, the related objectives of the study are: 1. To analyze the psychological impact on people in an underground space. 2. To understand the incorporation of efficient building services into the layout. 3. To explore the use of sustainable principles and energy efficiency. 4. To investigate the ways of integration of natural light and ventilation shafts at appropriate locations. 5. To examine movement pattern and circulation considering space as a limited resource. 6. To indicate the viability of such a construction technique and in which climatic zones and soil typologies would it be feasible so as to gain maximum efficiency. SCOPE AND FOCUS OF STUDY To design a medium scale art gallery that is built with majority of its functions underground. What makes the underground space different is that its design requirements don't have much in common with conventional above ground constructions. The quality of space is completely changed and everything from services to circulation is altered. For the user of an underground space, a number of psychological effects such as claustrophobia and agoraphobia come into play as well. The challenge then, is to design in a manner that makes the user feel comfortable and safe in an underground space that can be experienced in the same way as one above ground. METHODOLOGY OF THESIS The study will follow a certain methodology starting with data collection, then analyzing all this data and sorting it out into relevant categories, comparing the variables in each category and finally concluding the ideal situations. Methods used to gain information regarding the research topic include a literature study of relevant books and journal articles and looking into a number of websites and books providing information on case studies as well as on ancient historical examples of underground settlements. Live case studies of both underground spaces for habitation and art galleries are to be carried out as well. The ideology involved in movies and fictional concepts concerning or including underground spaces are looked into to give a deeper understanding of such spaces and at the same time they open up new vistas of ideas that can be realistically applied.