ECO-1

Posted on: August 16th, 2019 by wp-indigo

Sanand is a newly developing suburb 20 kms to the south west of Ahmedabad and the new auto hub of gujarat. The government, in association with real estate builders, envisions the construction of affordable houses by eco-friendly methods in selected cities. The CLSS or Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme under this flagship program provides interest subsidies on home loans to build, purchase or renovate existing homes.

This design proposes apartment units in the 40 sqm and 60 sq.m categories under these schemes make housing accessible to low income households.

The key design criteria looked at liveability, affordability and improved quality of life in a dwelling environment.

Thermal comfort, with the use of eco friendly materials such as lime plasters, flyash bricks, cross ventilation details, sun shading devices and structural safety as per code were the main concerns while keeping the costs affordable.

Rain water systems of harvesting and distribution along with greywater re-use was an integrated feature in the design putting lesser loads on borewell use to extract water for cooking and drinking needs.

Solar roof top power generation ensured 1.5 kw/unit of solar power integrated in the construction cost per unit and also covering the power needs of common amenities to make the apartments more affordable.

PARISHKAR

Posted on: March 21st, 2015 by wp-indigo

The architectural design of this house with its straight lines and simple volumes addresses a ‘contemporary outlook’ with an emphasis on easy maintainability. The architectural feature of this house is an attempt to unify the front entrance court with the lush back garden through a thoughtful arrangement of spaces.

• Landscaped entrance courtyard between the main entrance and the street that screens inner areas with a well defined compound wall.
• An open free plan with a partial double height visually unifies the living room, the dining and the landscaped court with the rear garden. One can sense the entire depth of the plot diagonally from these spaces which creates a sense of openness and allows free movement of breeze.
• The dining and living space is designed to be the central focal point of the house, where families spend most of their time together.
• Two bedrooms located at the lower level along with a ‘pooja room’ address the needs of senior members of the family.
• Three bedroom suites at the upper floor, share a family room which is visually connected with the dining and living area below.

Climate / environmental features

• In built storage areas are used to thermally protect the walls from the sun and minimize heat gain.
• Services areas such as toilets and ducts are placed so as to shield the inner living space from heat.
• Windows are protected with deep recesses to cut heat and direct sun thereby improving comfort levels within.
• All rooms have been designed to provide cross ventilation and provide optimum day light within.
• Passive cooling rooftop extractors are placed in the double volume to enhance air circulation and extract warm air from within the building at all times.
• Appropriate low water consuming tree / shrub types shall be planted in the courtyard and the periphery that provide shade and have aesthetic appeal.
• Rain water harvesting tank of 25,000 lit for drinking water.*(optional)
• Composting pit for recycling kitchen waste in rear garden.
• Designated space for a desert cooler to cool the living / dining area during harsh summers and reduce dependence on conventional air conditioners.
• Roof top insulation to minimize heat gain.

KUKMA

Posted on: March 21st, 2015 by wp-indigo

Kukma village in Kutch lies 30 km south of Bhuj. Predominantly an agrarian setting, it now has become a major industrial zone since the tax holiday declared after the earthquake a few years back.

The site was a narrow strip of land measuring 3 acres earmarked for the staff housing for the NGO Shrujan. A mixed income housing proposal that cross subsidises costs across various house types was attempted.

The key issues addressed were water and sustainability, thermal comfort, low cost construction, planning for various social events within the community and creating a community of sensitive individuals wanting to lead a self sustaining lifestyle.

Farming, rearing cattle, reuse of wastewater for irrigation, and a decentralised waste water system to handle sewage were some of the initiatives integrated in the master plan.

The ‘Falia system’ of social organisation in the planning was requested by the stakeholders / users as a means to organise the community along the lines of their social sub groups as well as living habits and the need to farm and rear cattle.

SUNDERVAN

Posted on: March 21st, 2015 by wp-indigo

‘Sundervan’ near Rancharda village is a residential development planned as a retreat for city dwellers to own houses in well-organized verdant environs. The place is conducive to quiet repose for individuals as well as integrated community living.

Paved roads, shaded walkways, common green spaces, centralized water supply, power, wastewater management and garbage disposal form the core of well planned common amenities.

The clubhouse is equipped with a twin residential facility for members to stay overnight, a lounge, a café and children’s play area. Sporting facilities include a volleyball court, table tennis, adult swimming pool and children’s wading pond. The vast green area and an open amphitheatre, adjacent to the clubhouse, are capable of accommodating large-scale events.

Individual plots for sale are in the range of 600-1000 sq.yds each spread over almost one third the site area.

“Sundervan” is a serious attempt to create a self-sustaining environment for the future that is not resource consumptive. Use of appropriate materials and appropriate building techniques to create thermally comfortable spaces is of prime concern. The residential clusters and internal roads utilize the existing trees for shade and a visually pleasing sense of landscape.

The landscape is planned keeping in mind judicious use of water and resources to grow, maintain and develop green areas in the future, which eventually saves maintenance costs. Selection of plant species is varied and at the same time sensitive to local conditions of climate and soil conditions.

Cluster plots that foster a relaxed community living with a landscaped green area as its focus, were conceived in clusters of 3, 4 or 5 equipped with a convenient common infrastructure facility. This included a common kitchen, laundry space, dining area and a quarter for the caretaker. These were designed for families and friends who wished to invest in land as a collective venture.

Units for the clusters were designed in three different sizes of 90, 120 and 150 sq. yds with a 100 sq.yd common utility area per cluster.