City: CHENNAI

Undergraduate Thesis Project by Mona Vijaykumar
School of Architecture and Planning, Chennai, TamilNadu, India
Email: monavijay96@gmail.com

‘Around every corner, the newspaper and the streets, there was news that disturbed by every nerve, as it narrated child abuse. Yet, sitting in my chair unaware, did no one care? A little boy I did meet, as I passed through my busy street, inhaling vapor and not air, yet did no one care? The family, the school, the people around, all play an equal role in nurturing a child’s ability, lack of which influences the factor of child’s vulnerability. Is it their age or our neg- ligence that rolls them down the spiral every passing day, Can there be a better way? How can a child feel protected? Can architecture collaboratively act as a tool to augment the life of these children?’

Of the many categories of children in difficult circumstances, street children are estimated to be one of the most rapidly growing groups of vulnerable children in urban India. Accord- ing to UNICEF, street children can be divided into two broad categories children on and of streets. Based on the resources collected and analyzed, three prominent barriers that hin- dered the development and growth of street children surfaced, namely the physical, social, and psychological. Physical barriers such as access to toilets, adequate food, shelter, educa-tion and health care, lack of which led to various health and mental problems. The lack of identity and continues disregard from society adds to the social barriers, whereas the con- sequences of both cause psychological barriers such as lack of self-esteem, isolation and ag- gression. Therefore, the project’s intent is driven towards developing programs that would thrive to break the three barriers, within their neighbourhood, to ensure the holistic develop- ment of both the children and the society.

On the other hand, street children are present all over the city and find ways to adapt to its varied spaces and nature. It provides them with a sense of place, security and warmth, which they call ‘home’.

 

 

 

AS HOME

‘Running along the narrow gullies, a labyrinth of pathways and crossing, yet they recall every turning street. Playing under the flyover or hopping along the water lines, there isn’t aplace they don’t entertain. Scorching tirelessly in the markets and the dumping nest, under a tree is where they rest. Following a treasure map, led by many, guided by the railways andstructured by the corrugated roofings, they play a game of their choosing. Waking up with the shinning star and streets lead their way again, for they learn, live and rejoice, forever and again..’

The void spaces of the city, which are otherwise grey areas of the city, are instead utilized and activated for the development of the children. Further contributions are made towards the revitalization of the seemingly dead environment. The architectural intent is to provide an opportunity to children within their neighbourhood which metaphorically acts as a ‘room of opportunity’ in an urban city, which they call home.

MUMBAI

According to the TISS survey, more than (2013) street children live in Mumbai but the exact number is expected to be more. About 40% of their population are found along the 3 Mumbai railway lines which are bounded by large slum settlements all along with the city’s morphology. The railways are the first point of entry for most runaway and street-living children. “Ihey are an important source of sustenance for children whether through begging on the trains, selling wares, or working at stalls on the railway platforms. Bandra Railway station divides Bandra into West Bandra and East Bandra respectively. Being along the coast, Bandra attracts a large number of street children for the public spaces like the Bandra fort, Bandra beach in the West and East majorly consists of large slum neighbourhood and pavement dwellers.

The demonstration site is a residual land along eastern Bandra railway lines. Surrounded by two large slums and pavement settlements, the site has multiple entries points one majorly being from the station. A nullah bounds the site in the east and south is backed by Mithi river. The site is partially used as an illegal dumping ground as it lacks maintenance and government vigilance. Throughout the day it is actively used by street children for recreational activities and sports, and others include local slum dwellers and railway users.

Category: (GH) GROUP HOUSING

Type: Community Housing Development
Location: Yelahanka, Bangalore
Built-Up Area: 14,930 sq m / 1,60,715 sq ft
Client: Radiance Realty Developers India Limited

INSPIRATION – Mass Housing is the need of the hour in the World’s fastest growing city, Bengaluru. Within an urban concrete-jungle, Iris seeks to be a green refuge from the ever-growing pressures of development. We had to achieve this within the housing market pressures to make the project affordable. Iris focusses on a community centric-design incorporating natural vegetation and social spaces which simultaneously achieves the major challenge of high built-up area and low selling price. 

CLIENT BRIEF – The Developer approached us with an expensive parcel of Land located in a well-developed residential neighbourhood in close proximity to several IT Parks. The brief was to achieve a Financially Successful Residential Housing project with the Maximum possible built-up area in the lowest possible cost. Detailed market research suggested that Affordable Villa Housing will be the Best possible product for the micro-market. 

ARCHITECTS CHALLENGE – Negotiating with the real-estate developer and achieving a good community based green-design was the hardest part. Developers focus on maximum profit whereas the Architect has to achieve this by designing the best possible combination of units which offers the best possible quality of life to the users. The weight of the success or failure of the project lies on the shoulders of the designers and we are glad to have succeeded.

RESEARCH ABSTRACT – Detailed research was carried out to in the city to make the design commercially successful. The research focussed on what makes a successful home. Detailed studies and simulations were done to understand how to maximise natural light and ventilation inside each home. Land usage was critical for achieving the high built area. Existing trees were mapped and the buildings were planned around them to preserve the native vegetation. 

DESIGN DESCRIPTION – Iris was built on a large 4 Acre site with many mature trees. 90 percent of the existing trees on site were preserved through careful planning. The project achieved a built up area of 1,60,715 sq ft to be financially viable. It has 77 row-houses planned around shared courtyards. There are 6 types of units ranging from 160 sq-m to 250 sq-m. A semi-open 15,844 sq ft community clubhouse was planned at the entrance with a steel parasol providing shaded terraces for recreation. 

Iris is a series of row-houses planned along a central spine path with ten branches. Each branch is a common courtyard shared by 6 homes forming a micro community. Each home has a private garden with mature trees. Services are clubbed along the shared walls to minimise costs and hide it from view. The community club-house sits at the head of the spine near the road. The tail-end is a large open park with an amphitheatre and play areas. 

MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS – Iris was a low-cost project. Hence economy of construction was essential. Conventional earthquake resistant R.C.C framed structure were infilled with light-weight autoclaved blocks. The Ground floor was recessed and clad with quarry waste slate stone to provide a tactile feel. The first floor cantilevers as a white mass shading the ground floor. The second floor has a terrace steel-pergola providing a light feel. Each floor expresses itself amongst the built composition.  

SUCCESS – Radiance Iris has the capacity to transform the lives of the families who chose to call it home. It has emerged as a financially successful model of social housing development through sensitive and sensible design. Clusters of row-houses interspersed with social spaces and shared facilities forms the project. Basic aspects like natural light, ventilation, ease of access and service have been thoughtfully resolved along with the pressure of density. The project is a successful case-study in the Indian housing sector and has WON International recognition for the same.