Chakrajeevan Udyan – The Circle of Life Park is a public landscape project by Hsc Designs in Ahmedabad, India. The project reorganises an existing urban park while addressing safety, accessibility and environmental impact. Climate studies and observations of daily use informed the design process.
These studies showed that women, children and senior citizens often avoided the park because they felt unsafe. To respond to this, the design team restructured the park layout. A continuous, gently curving pathway now connects all activity zones and acts as the main organising element. As a result, visitors can understand the layout at a glance. The design removes blind corners and hidden spaces, which improves visibility across the site. In addition, the team positioned programme areas within clear visual range of each other. Seating appears at regular intervals, allowing caregivers to stay close to children while maintaining open sightlines.
Material reuse plays a central role in the project. According to Hsc Designs, the park incorporates more than 30,000 square feet of reclaimed materials. These materials include concrete, tiles, mild steel rods, bricks, tyres and wood. The design team reused them directly within the landscape rather than concealing them behind new finishes.
For example, concrete pipes from earlier infrastructure now function as circular play elements and shaded portals. Reclaimed mild steel rods form lightweight trellises and structural frames. Meanwhile, salvaged tiles create durable outdoor paving. The team also transformed reused wood and tyres into benches and informal seating. Throughout the park, materials remain visible, allowing their texture and age to become part of the spatial experience.
The reuse strategy also reduces environmental impact. The project team estimates that the approach avoids approximately 36 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. To explain this figure, the designers compare it to emissions from car travel, domestic electricity use and air travel. In this way, the project links material choices to everyday environmental impact.
At the same time, the design prioritises durability. The team detailed all connections and joints to allow inspection and repair. Wherever possible, elements use modular systems to support long-term maintenance. Mild steel components develop a controlled patina, while timber surfaces receive treatments suitable for outdoor exposure.
The park design responds closely to how people use the space. Seating includes backrests and arm supports to assist older users. Pathways allow enough width for prams and wheelchairs to pass comfortably. In addition, surface finishes provide slip resistance without creating rough textures.
Solar studies informed the placement of shade structures and trees. Rather than relying on signage, the design uses spatial layout to guide movement. As a result, visitors can navigate the park intuitively.
Overall, Chakrajeevan Udyan demonstrates how reclaimed materials and inclusive design strategies can support accessibility, durability and reduced material impact in a public landscape context.
Source: Hsc Designs via v2com
Photos: Notebook productions Sarthak