Mass Inhabitations
Model - 30% redevelopment and 70% retrofit model.
Understanding the User profile
The Designing process started with understanding the user profile of the existing houses and also the possibilities of tenants once the building is redeveloped. Through diagrams, the units were visualized which could respond to the specific needs of the considered user profile.
Strategies for Retrofitting
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Two C type building are going to be retrofitted as mentioned below
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30% increase in the area for each existing member
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Community kitchen on ever alternate floor - thus to be shared between atleast two adjacent floors
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3 new floors will be added on top to accommodate the rehabilitated members from bar type building.
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Reconfiguring existing bathrooms to also add toilet blocks.
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Adding Lift blocks - 2 lift for each C type building
Considering the existing structure the video shows which walls get demolished so that the flats extend horizontally increasing light and ventilation. Also some walls are added and existing bathrooms are reconfigured to incorporate the toilets thus making their houses self-contained. Conversing with the existing tenants it was observed that the Mori (space used to physically wash clothes) is not in use and also there is a need for self contained houses. Hence the previous toilets and mori gets demolished, so that the corner flats and adjacent flats can be given the designated 30% extra area .
Strategies for Redevelopment
The new building was imagined as units placed along the periphery thus forming a central atrium which will incorporate the visually connected balconies. The connecting corridors form a lace around the building giving a sense of connection with the adjacent surrounding. The new building shares a play area on the terraces of one of the four stacked units, thus merging the differences between the new and the old.
The Ground Floor facing the road is given for 8 commercial shops. Which can be occupied by Salons, boutiques, Print shop, general stores, small grocery shops etc.
First and Second floor is given for commercial offices which have two units of 4 x 4 and 6 x 6 with informal meeting spaces in between which face the road.
The residential units are placed on the next 4 floors above. With a shared play area on one of the terraces of the units. There are three types of units - 312sq.ft. , 351 sq.ft. and 468 sq.ft. These units are imagined for an old person living alone, an old couple, and a Family of 3 or 4 respectively. This arrangement helps the residents to keep a check on their neighbors, hence strengthening the community.
