Empowerment, one brick at a time
Empowerment, one brick at a time
Women Empowerment Shelter, Bijapur, India
For our Building Heroes series, this time we’re discussing not one of the usual ‘office suspects’. In Karnataka, one of India’s driest regions, water scarcity is a daily challenge. Here, the Women Empowerment Shelter by Studio PPBA provides safety and community for 150 women and girls. The shelter focuses on practical solutions to local environmental and social issues, creating a supportive space that helps residents develop essential skills.
Bringing change to life
For our Building Heroes series, this time we’re discussing not one of the usual ‘office suspects’. In Karnataka, one of India’s driest regions, water scarcity is a daily challenge. Here, the Women Empowerment Shelter by Studio PPBA provides safety and community for 150 women and girls. The shelter focuses on practical solutions to local environmental and social issues, creating a supportive space that helps residents develop essential skills.
Innovative water management techniques
Karnataka’s arid climate demands inventive solutions for water management. The shelter meets this challenge with several water-saving techniques:
- Rainwater harvesting: The roof channels rainwater into a 20,000-liter underground tank, filtering every drop through de-silting chambers for a clean drinking supply.
- Greywater recycling: Water from kitchens and bathrooms is directed through a biogas plant and root zone filters, allowing it to irrigate plants, from native trees to community gardens.
Turning waste into resources
The shelter’s self-sustaining design reduces reliance on external resources:
- Biogas plant: Kitchen waste is converted into cooking gas, cutting energy costs and minimizing waste.
- Compost pits: Organic waste becomes fertilizer for the community farm, creating a circular, zero-waste system that supports on-site food production.
Sustainable power from local resources
Constructed with locally sourced basalt stone, the shelter’s architecture respects its surroundings and minimizes energy use:
- Natural cooling: Thick stone walls and wind shafts regulate indoor temperatures, reducing the need for air conditioning.
- Native landscaping: The site features resilient trees like neem, mango, and tamarind, which thrive in the dry climate, enhancing biodiversity and creating shaded areas.
Spaces for skill-building and community
Beyond providing shelter, this facility is a dynamic hub for education and personal growth. Central areas encourage residents to develop new skills, participate in community-led activities, and work toward economic independence. Open, shaded gathering spaces foster cultural events, workshops, and social interactions—creating a supportive environment where women can thrive together.
Photography: Hemant Patil
