Sabeen Nazeer 

NEDUET - Department of Architecture & Planning

Pakistan

Nabiha Ahmed

NEDUET - Department of Architecture & Planning

Pakistan

Project Description

Located on the Chhaan Ground of Baba Island, Karachi, Pakistan, the proposed Chai stall is grounded in the pulse of the land – its fishing culture. Just as Chhaan Ground serves as a threshold between land and water, where fishermen prepare for the sea, repair boats, and return to rest – the proposed design embraces Chai as a common thread, bringing fishermen, locals and visitors together, along with prioritizing gender inclusivity.

Chhaan Ground is segmented into degrees of gendered spaces—with male-dominated areas near the boats, female-majority spaces near homes, and a transitional zone contingent on fishing hours—occupied by men when they are present and by women when they are away. The stall recalibrates these degrees and brings all users together through Chai, while respecting cultural norms and comfort levels.

The stall follows a radial layout with free-flowing circulation, ensuring seamless movement and interaction while preventing congestion. The space is structured into four concentric layers:
The Core: Dedicated to Chai-making and dish-washing, ensuring efficiency.
Interactive Counters: Offering snack counters and interactive counters where customers can customize their Chai with different masala options, with the option of making their own Chai – expanding functionality beyond traditional Chai service.
Inner Social Zone: A semi-enclosed seating area fostering casual interaction between customers and chaiwallahs.
Outer Public Zone: Outdoor seating (chaurai, steps and tree shades) to encourage loitering and socialization, including a semi-private space for women, including those visiting the nearby maternal clinic – blurring the boundaries between the stall and its surroundings.

The stall ensures gender inclusivity through thoughtfully designed seating, multi-level access, and adjacent women-friendly spaces. While women vendors and shop owners operate in the vicinity of Chhaan Ground, the chai stall now brings them into Chhaan itself. The kitchen and pottery-making area allow women to prepare snacks and craft reusable clay cups, integrating them into the stall’s ecosystem. More than just a stall, this design redefines Chai as a bond that connects all.