This is the building at the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, where I had my office and during the last two years. It is circular and is now ten years old. Since the time I first saw this, I have been curious to know why this was built as a circular building. It is an unusual design for a hospital.
It was when, I met Dr. K.M.Cheriyan, the founder of this institution, I got a glimpse of his dream. He wanted to have a building which will have all the rooms open to the common atrium in the centre, which would be connected by a large corridor. He wanted professionals to meet with each other whenever they got out of their rooms. He had even thought of having a common coffee room in each floor for people to gather to build relationships.
The architect, Mr. Verghese Oommen, who designed this building is someone who designs buildings that promote opportunities for people to meet naturally. When late, Mr. Johny Samuel was keen to build a building for children with special needs, at the St. Andrew's church compound for their project, ASHA, in 1991, it was the same architect we approached. I remember having several conversations with Mr. Oommen about the building being able to provide a common area where children and professionals can normally meet in the course of their work. He designed a square building with all the rooms opening to the corridor running in front of the rooms. Recently when I visited ASHA, one of the professionals mentioned to me that they are glad to be in that building because they can meet and greet each other because of its design.
We live in a society where relationships are fractured and conflicts divide us. The bottom line of all planning should have a people building purpose. It is when people relate to each other harmoniously, communities are formed.
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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