Projects | Studio
UG - BUD - Studio - 3 | Spring 2021 | The Housing Jigsaw
  • Student Shaurya Singh
  • Code UG191282
  • Faculty Planning
  • Tutor/s Imran Mansuri
  • TA Zeel Patel

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This project is an attempt to solve the puzzle of designing a low-cost, inclusive mass housing strategy that will work for the economically weaker section of the society residing in Nehrunagar, Surat. The priority while designing was given to spaces that would prove to be multifunctional both outside and inside units maximizing the use of space to its fullest potential while also providing visual connectivity, access, and control, shared spaces between units, opportunities for incidental interactions, response to the site topography, the scope for future incrementality, an expansion for commerce, landscaping elements, shaded spaces and enhancing experiential qualities. 

As a kickstart, case studies of different housings done around the globe were done which helped in understanding the basics of its grammar, typologies, site responses and various approaches in different contexts.
After the site visit documentation of spaces were done to understand the responses towards each kind of courtyard through which we drew parallels of how the inhabitants might respond to larger, smaller street widths, varying house typologies, dead ends etc.
A detailed analysis leads towards understanding the response towards the facade specially focussing on the spillovers and how the functions changed with different types of spaces. The sections lead the analysis of building width, cantilever balconies, shade formation on streets, complicated staircase networks connecting the upper stories, interface, inside usage of units, otlas, platforms, storage, pedestrian-vehicular movement etc.
While studying and talking to various family types we got to know about how efficiently and strategically spaces were used for personal, household and informal work, we also studied their work patterns, social life, family history etc. All these experiences were then translated into graphics which would convey our conversations and experiences with the people, this includes a parallel between the informal housing settlements and the SRA housings, helping us in understanding that the flexibility created by people in unorganized typologies works whereas a one size fits all approach of apartment like typology doesn't.
To start the process of design thinking, a larger site program is developed where larger design decisions to remove, retain, relocate, redesign different institutions were made after drawing conclusions while attempting to predict, what will work the best for the community?
Inferences drawn from readings, site visits and discussions in class lead to developing schematic diagrams that convey our ideas of what we might think will work with the community (Part 1)
Inferences drawn from readings, site visits and discussions in class lead to developing schematic diagrams that convey our ideas of what we might think will work with the community (Part 2)
The concepts depict the various strategies used while placing the units on contours, carving out spaces for future incrementality, unit evolution and the final typology achieved, cluster generation idea and its formation, alignment of various services and the internal placements.
The design attempt is to retain the organic nature of courtyards and the hierarchy of spaces which provides flexibility and opportunity for multifunctionality while responding to the site topography. The usage of shared spaces is encouraged by building circular platforms where the inhabitants can negotiate and create common grounds to build trees, pigeon/bird feeders, temples, a space for informal work, a storage, seating area etc.
Mind maps were made after weekly readings which helped in understanding various perspectives that people have had over time about housings, its ideal form, loopholes, history, administration etc. The readings were connected with our experiences of visiting the site and connections were drawn between the real and ideal while debating ideas and approaches.