The Cascade

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Date: May 2018 Location: Pharping, Nepal Area: 170m2 Function: Community centre Status: Competition

The Cascade proposes a micro-scale water infrastructure designed to serve as a focal point for the community. In many parts of Nepal, access to safe drinking water remains limited, particularly in remote areas where residents rely on small streams and travel long distances to collect water. While this condition presents a clear challenge, it has also shaped a distinct social pattern, where water sources become natural gathering places embedded in daily life. The Cascade builds on this existing relationship between water and community. Rather than treating infrastructure as a purely technical solution, the project positions it as a shared social space. By providing accessible water within the village, it aims to integrate seamlessly into everyday routines, reinforcing the role of water as a communal anchor. In addition to its infrastructural function, the project incorporates spaces for cultural and educational activities. These rooms support informal learning and collective use, expanding the role of the facility beyond water provision. The intention is to create a place where people gather, talk, eat, study, and rest, an environment that reflects ordinary life while strengthening communal bonds. Through this approach, The Cascade redefines water infrastructure as both a necessity and a social platform, establishing a new form of “water space” that supports community life.

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