Happy Spaces For Happy Faces

ResQ, Chandni Chowk, Pune

Designed by Studio Osmosis for the ResQ Charitable Trust, the ResQ Outhouse is a multi-purpose space from where the trust can continue rescue and rehabilitation of injured and sick animals, conducting awareness and education programs and conservation of the environment. A pro-bono project, it is a reminder of what our world could be if we all put more heart, and empathy, into everything we do.

- Sharmila Chakravorty

Animal rescue work can be quite challenging. And no, it is never the animals that are the cause of the stress. It is the lack of empathy in our society for animals. People wouldn’t think twice about a limping dog on the street. Or a cat that’s perhaps bleeding from an obvious accident. One can never be sure what the reason for this empathy is it could be the school of thought that animals are lesser beings and not as important as human life, or even the struggles of human life itself that makes us immune to the pain of other humans, let alone animals. Regardless, this widespread lack of empathy is disheartening.

And yet, there are few who go out of their way to reach out to destitute animals, and help them. They personify the saying “You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you”. But animals do repay you. With endless love and affection, in most cases. If not, in case of say a rescued snake perhaps, it is the satisfaction that one did not stand by and watch the helpless animal die. One did what one could; one did everything one could. And thus, it isn’t a selfless thing. It is a very selfish thing – animal rescue work gives one unparalleled satisfaction, love and affection. Thus, in a way it is a very positive selfishness, if there was ever such a thing!

But, in addition to heart and dedication, animal rescue work needs support. It could be in terms of money, for supplies, treatment and rehabilitation etc. It could be in terms of help, volunteering hours, donations etc. But for the ResQ charitable trust, support came in the most unexpected format – architecture. Perhaps moved by the work the trust was doing, perhaps finding resonance in the love for animals, Studio Osmosis joined hands with ResQ to design a multipurpose space that could be used for research or an outhouse.