Limitations

Location – Delhi Area – 14800 sq.m. Year – 1978 Total Units - 160 Architect – Charles Correa

The concept of low-rise high density housing reflects the vernacular form that was popular in India in 1970’s is applied in the Tara Apartments.

Fig.12. Tara Housing - Site Plan indicating Green areas and other Aminities. (Source - https://www.ravindrabhan.com/tara)

The units are arranged similar to the row houses. The central street is developed as multipurpose landscape spine that serves as a major circulation area, community space, children’s play area and visual green affecting the micro-climate.

Th organization is functional; due to lack of active usage along the South East and South periphery the areas leave an impression of neglected spaces. The central space overlooked by the units that makes the space more usable.

The buildings turn its back on the street to prevent noise, dust, from the high flow of vehicles. Being stacked as a row, big overhangs all these gives building an Indian character.

To form a terrace for each family, the units are stacked in two decks with upper ones stepped back. In the hot dry climate of North India this configuration resulted in a central area which allows the units to shade each other. The central common area is landscaped with trees and running water were proposed along with trees so as to humidify and cool the dry winds. However, it is not executed.

Fig.13. Tara Housing - Blocks offseted to create terraces. (Source - https://identityhousing.wordpress. com/2009/12/03/charles-correa-tara-group-housingdelhi-1975-1978/)

Fig.14. Tara Housing - Image showing offsets and massing. (Source - https://www.scribd.com/ presentation/418683372/FINAL-TARA-Copy-pptx) Fig.15. Tara Housing - Section showing ventilation and visual connectivity. (Source - https://identityhousing.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/charles-correatara-group-housing-delhi-1975-1978/ Fig.17. Tara Housing - Unit Plans and sections indicating active zones. (Source - https://identityhousing.wordpress. com/2009/12/03/charles-correa-tara-group-housing-delhi-1975-1978/)

Area of 2BHK - 84sq.m. Area of 3BHK - 130sq.m.

In response to the climatic conditions and to achieve the desired visual character there is hierarchy of open spaces due to the alteration in the planes. Open terraces are protected by pergola and big overhangs.

Fig.18. Tara Housing - Spatial Organization of 3BHK modules. (Source - https://identityhousing. wordpress.com/2009/12/03/charles-correa-taragroup-housing-delhi-1975-1978/)