THE NEXUS. COLLABORATIVE KNOWLEDGE HUB K I R U T H I G A S H R E E M T H E S I S 2 0 2 6
ABSTRACT The Nexus - Collaborative Knowledge Hub is a thesis that envisions the design of a contemporary public library and knowledge centre as an inclusive civic learning environment in Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli. Situated on a 10-acre site near the District Industries Centre along South High Ground Road, the project responds to the growing demand for accessible, flexible, and community-oriented knowledge infrastructure within an institutional and educational urban context. The proposal redefines the conventional library as a multi- functional knowledge ecosystem that integrates reading spaces, digital learning centres, collaborative workspaces, children’s learning zones, seminar halls, innovation labs, and cultural interaction spaces. Rather than functioning as a standalone repository of books, the design promotes active public engagement, lifelong learning, and informal knowledge exchange through interconnected academic, social, and recreational environments. Open public plazas, spill-out spaces, and green corridors strengthen walkability and create vibrant community interfaces that support social interaction and collective learning. The project also emphasizes universal accessibility, inclusive public spaces, and smart knowledge infrastructure through digital integration and flexible learning environments. Through The Nexus, the thesis presents a vision for future-ready public libraries that are socially engaging, environmentally responsive, and culturally rooted-establishing a framework for contemporary civic knowledge infrastructure in rapidly evolving Indian cities.
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