Creating Resilient Infrastructure to Respond to Emerging Climatic Calamities: Scope of Amphibious Architecture for the Below Sea Level Settings in Kuttanads, India

The coastal regions of India have been the hub of various human activities, resulting in the major cities developed along the sea-coast. Kerala is the Southernmost state in India that was worst hit by disastrous floods in both 2018 and 2019. According to a forecast by the Indian Ministry of Earth Sciences, the calamity may be repeated every year in the future, too, due to the changes in the weather patterns. Hence, there is a need for urgent mitigation in terms of flood and resilient infrastructure. This is a flood for which no law has been provided, since it is unprecedented. In this context, this paper discusses the feasibility of amphibious structures-those that rise and fall with the water level-as a flood-resilient solution for Kerala. The research adopted a mixed-method approach to examine the impact of repeated floods in Kuttanad, Kerala. It employs case studies, in-depth, qualitative interviews, a quantitative survey and a literature survey. The literature survey produces data related to amphibious architecture as a sustainable solution for flood-prone areas. In-depth qualitative interviews were carried out with the residents who can articulate their adaptation strategies, infrastructure and amphibious architecture. A quantitative survey was carried out to assess the impact of flood and response strategies targeting the government officials. The case study examines the first-ever floating house of India at Changanassery and generate insights from an interview with the architect delving deep into amphibious design. It also examines a number of case studies from different parts of the world, drawing inferences related to safeguarding flood-prone communities and especially Kuttanad in Kerala. Finally, the paper produces design guidelines, to respond to the floods by considering ways in which amphibious architecture responds effectively to flooding, enhancing its resilience.