Housing in India

The evolution of housing typologies has gone through drastic transformations in India, given its history, and diversity in geographical, cultural and social settings.

The earliest housing settlements can be dated back to 3000 B.C. The Indus valley civilization is known for its technological advancements and its comprehensive urban planning. The houses were constructed using stone and mud bricks with a timber framework. All of these houses were identical and were arranged with respect to the Citadel at its centre. These houses are typically one to three-storeyed and have courtyards at the centre.

Other notable housing typologies are ● Rock-cut architecture, 1000 B.C ● Dynasty influenced architecture, 1000 A.D ○ Indo-Aryan style, Rajputs ○ Wadas, Marathas ○ Indo-Islamic, Mughals ● Colonial architecture 1615 A.D ○ Portuguese ○ French ○ Dutch ○ British

The rise of Vertical housing wasn’t as prominent during the aforementioned times compared to Post-independent India, during which, there was an increase in migration and chaos in the settlement patterns, especially in the urban areas. This also led to the rise of slum settlements.

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2 Prabhu, M. (2021, June 23). Evolution of Housing in India. RTF | Rethinking The Future. Evolution of Housing in India - RTF

Kanchanjunga Apartments, Mumbai3

The Kanchanjunga Apartments designed by Charles Correa is a response to the escalating urbanization in India. The design considers the climatic conditions. To facilitate ventilation in the city, the building has to be oriented in the East-Western direction. But these directions also come with maximum solar radiation and heavy monsoon rains. The vernacular solution for this is to provide a layer of verandahs around the living spaces. The Kanchanjunga pays homage to the vernacular by applying the same design strategy.

Figure 1. Section showing the interlocking of the units in Kanchanjunga Apartments

The Apartment is a 32 storeyed building with 6.3m cantilevered open terraces. The units are categorized into four different typologies that interlock with each other. The changes in the levels led to the differentiation of spaces such as the elevated living spaces and the earth filled terraces. The level differences also shielded the living spaces from the sun and rain.

3 Pagnotta, B. (2018, January 15). AD Classics: Kanchanjunga Apartments / Charles Correa. ArchDaily. Apartments AD Classics: Kanchanjunga Apartments / Charles Correa

Center Point, Ahmedabad4

Apartments were not common until the 1970s in Ahmedabad. With the implementation of the Urban Land Ceiling Act (1976) that imposed a limit on landholding, the construction of apartments became a viable option for housing. Though Hasmukh C Patel argued that Row housing was a better alternative, he designed several apartments to keep up with the change. These apartments were usually mixed-use. The commercial section occupies the foreground and the apartments still catch the eye.

Figure 2. Section showing the interlocking of the units in Kanchanjunga Apartments

The Apartment scheme consists of three linked towers characterized by a pattern of double-height terraces that retract from the junction. The penthouses extend beyond the profile of the building. Each housing unit has a double-height hall. The floor contains the living spaces, kitchen and dining spaces. An open staircase occupies the corner of the void that leads to the bedroom in one flight and the master bedroom with an attached study room in another flight.

4 Center Point Apartments | HCP. (n.d.). HCP. Retrieved July 22, 2021, from Center Point Apartments, Ahmedabad 1985 -1987

An occupant of the apartment in a tribute to Hasmukh Patel writes, “My apartment is on the ‘4th Floor’ , which happens to be the eighth level, as each apartment is a duplex with rooms organized around a double-height living room. A large balcony overlooks a public park and a sculptural stair physically connects the rooms. There are days when we forget we are living seventy feet above the street- there is something grounded about the way the apartment works. Our children often refer to our lowest bedroom as ‘the basement. There is no sense of disconnection, no sense of the typically isolated apartment.

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Figure 3. Architectural drawings of the Center Point Apartment

5 Think Matter. (2020, December 14). TRIBUTE: Hasmukh C. Patel, (7 December 1933 – 20 January 2018) by RIYAZ TAYYIBJI. https://thinkmatter.in/2018/04/17/tribute-hasmukh-patel/

The most striking feature of the apartment is the double-height balcony. It allows a diagonal view of the sky, compared to the horizontal view in many ‘typical apartments’ . This gives a sense of openness in the apartment. The segregation of spaces between different levels allows privacy.

Figure 4. Section of the unit through the entrance

Figure 5. Section of the unit through the living and dining spaces