THE ARUGU

In Telugu, “Arugu” is the space where people sit and chat in the evening and can generally be found at the main entrance of the house. The arugu acts as a transitional space which mediates between the courtyard and street. At JMC, the space affords for various uses including, a pharmacy pick up- where visitors can refill medication without crowing the interior, waiting spaces for friends and family as their loved one is being taken care of, and serendipitous encounters between fellow neighbors. These aspects allow for efficiency of the center’s operations while also encouraging the creating and strengthening of connections which can lead to a stronger community.