Architecture for the poor in India

ARCHITECTURE FOR THE POOR

-ARCHITECTS, TECHNIQUES AND MATERIALITY

PRESENTED BY KAAVIYAA NAGARAJAN

OVERVIEW

WHY AND WHY NOT? DATA HISTORY URBAN AND RURAL POOR GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND HOUSING ISSUES AND NEED COST EFFECTIVE CONSTRUCTION. FOUNDATION WALL ROOF FENESTRATION

ARCHITECTS AND PRECEDENTS: HASSAN FATHY LAURIE BAKER B.V. DHOSHI CHARLES CORREA

ARCHITECTURE FOR THE POOR

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WHY AND WHY NOT?

Why architecture for the poor?

Why not, hiring architects meant only for people with money?

Are we really using our knowledge to help people who really need shelter?

Can we not use simple vernacular materials and techniques to build homes?

Are we creating an Impact in our environment?

Why not cherish Tradition and culture?

Are we helping local construction industries to take pride on their job ? or are we forcing local construction industry to adapt foreign Materials?

Are we really doing anything sustainable?

Do Indian climate need Glass?Why are buildings wrapped with glass facades?

Architects trained to enlighten the building industry failing to do so?

ARCHITECTURE FOR THE POOR

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INDIA

AREA: 1,269,346 SQ MI POPULATION:1.25 BILLION DENSITY :997/SQ MI PEOPLE BELOW POVERTY LINE : 28% RURAL POPULATION: 852 MILLION ARCHITECTURE FOR THE POOR

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LET’S TALK SOME NUMBERS! Affordable housing is housing deemed affordable to those with a median household incomes rated by country, State (province), region or municipality by a recognized Housing affordability Index Causes and consequences of rise in house prices.

In India, it is estimated that in 2009–10, approximately 32% of the population was living below the poverty line and there is huge demand for affordable housing. The deficit in Urban housing is estimated at 18 million units most of which are amongst the economically weaker sections of the society. Some developers are developing low cost and affordable housing for this population.

Slums are an unhappy reality for our country and many others across the world. Over one billion world inhabitants live in slums today and the numbers are climbing. The UN estimates that about 1.4 billion people will be occupying slums by the year 2020. In India the total number of slum dweller totals about 65 million, of which Maharashtra alone accounts for 11 million.

ARCHITECTURE FOR THE POOR

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HISTORY

GREAT BATH AT INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION

STREET CULTURE - INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION

RUINS OF HARAPPA AND MOHENJO-DARO

The civilization of the Indus River at MOHENJO-DARO AND HARAPPA arose at about 2500 BCE and ended with apparent destruction about 1500 BCE. Apparently the Indus civilization was likely destroyed by the Indo-European migrants from Iran, the Aryans.

The cities of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa were built of fire-baked bricks. Harappa and Mohenjo Daro were expertly planned cities built with a grid pattern of wide, straight streets. Thick walls surrounded the cities. Many people lived in sturdy brick houses that had as many as three floors.

Some houses had bathrooms and toilets that connected to the world’s first sewer system. An irrigation system of canals provided a reliable source of water for growing wheat and barley. There is also evidence that people herded sheep, cattle and goats.

PLAN OF THE GREAT BATH AT INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION

ARCHITECTURE FOR THE POOR

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VERNACULAR SETTLEMENT WOODEN POST

COB WALL

THATCHED ROOF

COMPOUND WALL THATCHED ROOF

SMALL OPENING

SMALLER BAMBOO CANES FOR FRAMING CENTRAL SUPPORT, THICKER BAMBOO

BUNGHA HOUSE AT KUTCH

ART FORM ON THE WALLS OF BUNGHA HOUSE

TODA HOUSES ON NILIGIRIS HILLS

INTERIOR OF A BUNGHA HOUSE

TODA HOUSE CONSTRUCTION

ARCHITECTURE FOR THE POOR

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CHETTINAD HOUSE INTERIOR

RED OXIDE FLOORING ON THINNAI SPACE

INTERNAL COURTYARD FOR VENTILATION

CHETTINAD STREETS,TAMILNADU

AGRAHARAM STREETSCAPE, TAMILNADU

TRADITIONAL NALLUKATTU HOUSE AT KERELA

ARCHITECTURE FOR THE POOR

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URBAN AND RURAL POOR CATTLE SHED

According to the National Family Health Survey, concluded in 2000 by the IndiOUTDOOR SLEEP

HOUSE IN RURAL INDIA-SEMI PUCCA

an government, only 19% of the rural population lives in pucca

(strong) houses, while the remaining live in kaccha (weak) and semi-pucca

houses with mud walls and thatched roofs. Eighty-seven percent of homes in the villages do not have toilet facilities. Cooking is usually done inside the house under inadequate ventilation with biomass such as dried cow-dung, fire wood, dry weeds or crop residue, exacerbating the risk of tuberculosis.

A typical Indian village has a resident population of around one thousand. Most villages are small and dense, with huts on either side of narrow lanes. Open drainage usually runs along those lanes, clogged and infested with mosquitoes.

Paved or unpaved narrow roads connect one village to another, usually separated by a few kilometers. One paved road (often not well maintained) connects several villages to a rural town nearby where the government has set up a primary health center to serve 25,000 people or more. These towns have many shops that cater to the daily needs of people living in the villages nearby.

ARCHITECTURE FOR THE POOR VILLAGE SETTLEMENT-RURAL INDIA

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GOVERNMENT HOUSING The Tamil Nadu government estimates that a typical house for the poor costs around Rs. 45,000 to build. The state allocates houses to families belonging to scheduled and depressed castes based on their economic status. However, anyone officially classified as “poor” is eligible for a government grant of up to Rs. 45,000 (about $1,125) toward construction.

SLUM IN URBAN INDIA-SANITARY ISSUES

Currently, the total supply of new housing is far short of the 100 million units that are needed at the very least, if the goal is to offer adequate housing for every poor family. Bad construction and poor maintenance are causing the breakdown of houses that were built some time ago, adding to the need for substantial home improvement.

The rural poor live in huts and government-supplied “houses” that are no more than 150-200 sq. ft. in floor area. Huts are usually constructed from mud blocks, roofs are thatched and the floors are covered with a mud and cow-dung paste that serves as a disinfectant.

Houses supplied by the government are constructed with cement blocks or bricks, the floor is cement, and the roof is made of concrete or asbestos. Usually there is only one room in the house, but in some cases a half-wall may be built to separate the kitchen

SLUM IN URBAN INDIA-TEMPORARY VERNACULAR SOLUTIONS

ARCHITECTURE FOR THE POOR

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Slum-dwellers into urban life instead of further ostracizing them, India cannot just bulldoze the slums and pile up the people into apartment blocks. A real solution would involve building high-quality, low-cost, multi-storey, diverse formats in the current areas such that these become integrated with the rest of the city. The slum is merely the platform for an urban re-invention. o Provision of tenancy rights to slum dwellers in order to ensure that their housing is not infringed upon by government agencies.

NEED

o Slum dwellers often fear rehabilitation because it affects their access to means of livelihood. The idea behind ensuring tenure is that once they lose their fear of being evicted, the slum dwellers can work to improve their quality of life. o Building low-cost residences for slum dwellers so that proper housing can ensure their safety and hygiene. o Access to clean water available. o Providing proper sanitation and waste management. o Controlling pollution levels. o Education. o Creating oppurtunitie for their income .

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GOVERNMENT HOUSING ISSUES PSYCHOLOGY FAILURE TO ADDRESS THE LIVING CULTURE. LACK OF AWARENESS SHOWING NO RESPECT AESTHETICS HOW TO MAKE THEM FEEL SPECIAL? LOW COST AND HIGH QUALITY BUILDINGS: NO SENSE OF BELONGING. THEY CANNOT RELATE TO THE BUILDING.

USAGE OF SPACE IN RURAL INDIA

R.C.C ROOF

MADRAS TERRACE ROOFING BED ROOM

ROW HOUSES BUILT BY THE GOVERNMENT BRICK AND MUD WALLS KITCHEN/LIVING

HOUSES BUILT BY THE GOVERNMENT HOUSES BUILT BY THE GOVERNMENT

THATCHED PALM REED SCREEN

RURAL PUCCA HOUSE

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GOVERNMENT HOUSING VS NATURAL SETTLEMENT

DHARAVI SLUM,MUMBAI

VERTICAL GOVERNMENT HOUSING FOR URBAN

GOVERNMENT HOUSING SCHEMES

SLUM/VILLAGE SETTLEMENT

URBAN SLUM -CLUSTER

GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL

ARCHITECTURE FOR THE POOR

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COST EFFECTIVE CONSTRUCTION FILLER SLAB ROOFS

MUD WALL

BROKEN TILE/BRICK FLOORING

RAT TRAP BOND

TERRACOTTA FLOORING

WARDHA TILE ROOFING

HOLLOW BLOCKS

RED OXIDE FLOORING

In developing countries such as India, only 20% of the population are high-income earners, who are able to afford normal housing units.

Cost effective housing is a relative concept and has more to do with budgeting and seeks to reduce construction cost through better management, appropriate use of local Materials, skills and technology but without sacrificing the performance and structure life.

It should be noted that low cost housings are not houses which constructed by cheap building materials of substandard quality.

A low cost house is designed and constructed as any other house with regard to foundation, structure and strength. The reduction in cost is achieved through effective utilization of locally available building materials and techniques that are durable, economical, accepted by users and not requiring costly maintenance.

REDUCED PLINTH SIZE

TECHNIQUES TO REDUCE COST:

INVERTED ARCH FOUNDATION

o Use locally available materials and innovative technology. o Use energy efficient materials. o Preplan every component of the building. o Use traditional construction method.

ARCHITECTURE FOR THE POOR

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INVERTED ARCH FOUNDATION

REDUCED PLINTH SLAB

o The foundation comes up-to 10 to 15% of the total building cost.

o It is recommended to adopt 1’ plinth above the ground level.

o The arch foundation The arch provides a foundation for the walls and can resist the sideways forces acting on them.

o Avoiding the 6” plinth slab and using brick on edge instead, will reduce the cost spent on the materials for the slab.

o Arch foundation reduces the building foundation cost of about 40%.

ARCH FOUNDATION

o In-case of soft soil like black soil, the inverted arch foundation can be used under the pile foundation and saves upto 20 to 25% in cost . o It is effective to hold side and longitudinal forces acting on a building.

ARCH FOUNDATION-CORBIN BUILDING,NYC

o This can reduce about 30 to 50% of the plinth construction cost. o It is necessary to take precaution of providing impervious blanket like concrete slabs or stone slabs all round the building for enabling to reduce erosion of soil and thereby avoiding exposure of foundation surface and crack formation.

COST EFFECTIVE CONSTRUCTION WITH NO PLINTH SLAB

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WALLING o Concrete blocks consumes only about 1/3 of the energy of the burnt brick production. o The wall thickness is reduced by 2�.

CONCRETE BLOCK CONSTRUCTION

o Concrete block saves mortar consumption ,time of construction and plaster cost.

o The rat trap bond wall is a cavity wall construction. This reduced the number of bricks used for the masonry work.

o overall cost saving of 10 to 25%

o In comparison to the traditional masonry construction , Rat trap bond reduces about 25% of material cost and about 10 to 15 % reduction in overall cost of the building.

o Clay brick homes stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

CONCRETE BLOCK CONSTRUCTION

o The increased valuation of brick homes is typically 6-10% more than other construction materials.

o This can reduce about 30 to 50% of the plinth construction cost.

o Require less maintenance. o Clay brick is naturally fireproof and easily withstands extreme weather conditions.

MULTI STOREY BUILDING- RAT TRAP BOND

o Reduces cost of plastering. Overall cost reduction of 20% can be achieved 0 Each block is 9 times bigger than conventional brunt brick.

CLAY BLOCK CONSTRUCTION

CLAY BLOCK AND REINFORCEMENT

RAT TRAP BOND CONSTRUCTION

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MUD WALLS COB WALL CONSTRUCTION

RAMMED EARTH CONSTRUCTION

o Mud construction has been tested and built for bout a thousand years. o The construction is very simple and is comfortable year round for tropical climate. o The walls help in maintaining the tag lag and also is a vernacular solution with its own limitations.

COB WALL: Very dynamic and very effective for curved structures.

RAMMED EARTH: Ideal for solid , single storey houses.

ADOBE: Two storey houses.

ADOBE WALL CONSTRUCTION

PRESSED BRICKS: Smooth and strong for up-to three storey buildings.

WATTLE AND DAUB : Very suitable for seismic zones.

WATTLE AND DAUB

ARCHITECTURE FOR THE POOR

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FILLER SLAB AND WARDHA TILE ROOFING o Normally 5” thick R.C.C slabs is used for roofing of residential buildings. o By adopting rationally designed construction practices like filler slab and precast elements the construction cost of roofing can be reduced by 20 to 25%. o These filler materials are so placed as not to compromise structural strength, result in replacing unwanted and nonfunctional tension concrete thus resulting in economy.

TERRACOTTA POT - FILLER SLAB TERRACOTTA

o These are safe,sound and provided aesthetically pleasing pattern ceilings and also need no plaster.

HOLLOW SLAB

WARDHA TILES: o The design of vaults using Guna tiles is based on the principle of ‘Inverted Catenary Arch’ action. o It is cheaper than RCC roof by 20-30%. o Being light weight and securely framed, the vault roof is safe even in earthquakes. o Requires no maintenance and has a service life of more than 50 years

HOLLOW BLOCK-FILLER SLAB

BRICK-FILLER SLAB

WARDHA TILE - FILLER SLAB

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LINTEL AND JALI WALLS

JALI WALL

o The traditional R.C.C Lintels are expensive and can be replaced by brick arches for small spans . o Saves cost upto 30 to 40 % over the traditional method of construction. o Very often a Jali wall is a better substitute for a window. It lets in general subdued Light. It also deals with ventilation but prevents driving rain from entering.

COMBINATION OF JALI AND GLASS WINDOWS

o A Jali wall also saves materials and also Increase the speed of construction. When there is no absolute necessary of solid walls Using a jail wall gives added advantages.

NO LINTEL BEAM

ARCHITECTURE FOR THE POOR

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HASSAN FATHY

HASSAN FATHY (1900-1989) was a noted Egyptian architect who pioneered appropriate technology for building in Egypt, especially by working to re-establish the use of mud brick (or adobe) and traditional as opposed to western building designs and layouts.

He designed nearly 160 separate projects, from modest country retreats to fully planned communities with police, fire, and medical services, markets, schools, theaters, and places for worship and recreation. He utilized ancient design methods and materials, as well as knowledge of the rural Egyptian economic situation with a wide knowledge of ancient architectural and town design techniques. He trained local inhabitants to make their own materials and build their own buildings.

AWARDS: Aga Khan Award for Architecture Chairman’s Award (1980), Balzan Prize for Architecture and Urban Planning (1980) Right Livelihood Award (1980) and more.

BOOKS: Natural energy and vernacular architecture.

Architecture for the poor.

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MUD ARCHITECTURE AND NATURAL SYSTEMS

NEW GOURNA,EGYPT

VENTS AT THE TOP TO EXERT HOT AIR

DOMES TO RISE THE HOT AIR

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MUD ARCHITECTURE AND NATURAL SYSTEMS DESIGN ELEMENTS: o Thick walls. o Wind catchers. o Screen walls. o courtyards and vaults.

Hassan Fatly is the father of low cost housing. His designs covered the services ,community and social interaction with buildings. The elements were climate responsive and made the indoors comfortable. He incorporated stack effect, and cross ventilation in hot arid zones.

DOMES AND FILLER SLAB

WIND CATCHER AND NATURAL VENTILATION SYSTEMS

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LAURIE BAKER LAURIE BAKER (1917-2007) was a British born Indian Architect. He

went to India in 1945 in part as a missionary and since then lived and worked in India for over 50 years.

He obtained Indian citizenship in 1989. Worked as an architect for an international and interdenominational Mission dedicated to the care of those suffering from leprosy.

Focused on converting or replacing asylums once used to house the ostracized sufferers of the disease – “lepers”. Used indigenous architecture and methods of these places as means to deal with his once daunting problems.

BOOKS: Rural house plans.

Earthquakes.

Cost effective manual AWARDS: L-Ramp Award of Excellence (2006).

Nominated from the Pritzker Prize (2006).

Received the Padma Sri(1990).

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PRINCIPLES

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NATURAL SYSTEMS AND MATERIALS

BUILT IN FURNITURE

BRICK ARCHES

STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

JALI WALL FOR NATURAL VENTILATION AND LIGHTING

FILLER SLAB IN R.C.C. ROOF

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CHENGALSOOLA AND FISHERMEN’S HOUSING CONCRETE SLOPED ROOF OPEN COURT

The fishermen’s housing community project was a challenging one , where people had very rigid ideas and traditions.

The houses are designed continuous with common walls yet staggered to create a pocket of private open spaces for outdoor activities. The slopped roof helped during heavy rains.

The open courts served serenic view towards the ocean.

The materials were exposed brick and sloped concrete roofs.

STAGGERED ROW HOUSES

CHENGASOOLA SLUM REHAB

NATURAL MATERIAL -STREET CHARACTER

OPEN COURT

FISHERMEN’S VILLAGE 27

BALAKRISHNA DHOSHI

BALAKRISHNA DHOSHI (1927) is an Indian Architect and educator. After having worked for four years between 1951-54 with Le Corbusier in Paris, B. V. Doshi returned to Ahmadabad to supervise Le Corbusier’s projects.

His studio, Vastu-Shilpa (environmental design), was established in 1955. Doshi worked closely with Louis Kahn and Anant Raje, when Kahn designed the campus of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. In 1958 he was a fellow at the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts. He then started the School of Architecture (S.A) in 1962.

AWARDS: Padma Shri from Indian government.

‘Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters’, (2011).

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PROJECTS

NIFT CAMPUS

CEPT CAMPUS

GUFA -M.F.HUSSAIN’S PAINTING

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ARANYA SLUM REHABILITATION The place was created with an intention give the residents a sense of security and value . it was designed as continues building with central spaces to encourage social interactions.

The central spine was created with amenities grouped around it. The houses were clubbed into groups which extended towards the outdoor interactive streets. Small shops were designed within the community to serve the basic NECESSITIES.

OUTDOOR SOCIAL SPACES

COMMUNITY LAYOUT

City : Indore Total built up: 100,000 sq m Project cost: Rs 100 million

MODULAR BUILDING BLOCKS

WIND CATCHER

TRADITIONAL ARCH

OPEN COURT

STREET CULTURE

VERTICAL CIRCULATION

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CHARLES CORREA CHARLES MARK CORREA (September 1930 – June 2015) was an Indian architect, urban planner and activist. Credited for the creation of modern architecture in post-Independence India, he was celebrated for his sensitivity to the needs of the urban poor and for his use of traditional methods and materials.

Correa began his higher studies at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai at the University of Bombay ,went on to study at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts . In 1958 he established his own Mumbai based professional practice.

AWARDS: Padma Vibhushan (2006) and Padma Shri (1972).

Praemium Imperiale (1994) 7th Aga Khan Award for Architecture for Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly (1998).

Austrian Decoration for Science and Art (2005)

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GANDHI ASHRAM

RAMAKRISHNA RESIDENCE

INDIAN UN BUILDING,NYC

GANDHI MUSEUM, RESPONSIVE ELEMENTS

KANCHANJUNGA APARTMENTS 32

BELAPUR LOW COST HOUSING The proposal for mass affordable housing in Bombay. The houses are highly dense with low rise courtyard homes with simple materials at human scale.

The clusters are 7-12 pairs of houses arranged around a communal courtyards. The buildings do not share walls, so independent extension is feasible.

PRIVATE COURTYARD

LIVING AREA

The houses are 450-700 SFT and cost about $500 - $1300 based on their affordability. The materials used are brick, roofs are wooden shingles and stone paving.

It used local masons and craftsmen to built this community.

LIVING AREA

LIVING AREA

REST ROOM INTERNAL COURTYARD KITCHEN /LIVING

BED ROOM

COMMUNAL COURTYARD

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THANK YOU......