upkeep - newsletter project 2022 (Sidard Tayenjam) by Sidard Tayenjam

upkeep roject for Architectural journalism B.ARCH VIII SEMESTER | SPA, JNAFAU Faculty: Kartik Mahon Sidard Tayenjam | 18011AA030

highlights microapartments

an unexpected need in the modern society. a good option for housing for whom?

prefab homes

what is considered prefab, the perks of owning one right now.

our heritage saved in VR saving our cultural heritage before losing them to human and nature’s wrath.

Image © Katherine Lu, Proepper Architects - Glebe Studio

MICRO APARTMENTS in Indian Context

Housing shortage is one such crisis and in a country like India which has succumbed to population explosion over the past couple of years, there must be an immediate response to this problem. Micro-housing gained notoriety from the different strategies put forth to address this challenge. Simply put, a micro apartment is a small studio apartment with a fully working kitchen and bathroom that complies with accessibility standards. These apartments are often smaller than 350 square feet in size. Micro flats have a lot of economic appeal, but location, privacy, and other factors also play a role. The concept of micro housing encourages making the innovation of maximum functional area in a minimum footprint, thus redefining the process of sustainability in urban dwellings. The plans implemented in the micro units have optimum space utilization, neglects luxurious space wasted in apartments.

Image © TINGLAN Homey Resorts

what is it? Its a studio intended for a single inhabitant which is made as small as possible. It contains every amenity you’d anticipate finding in a standard studio apartment, including a kitchen, bathroom, and living area, yet it all fits into a space that is only 200 to 400 square feet. (To put that into perspective, a one-car garage is roughly 200 square feet in size, while a two-car garage is roughly 400 square feet.)

examples of micro apartments

Even though they may be small, micro-apartments are typically built to make the most of the aesthetic appeal and functional use of the available space. High ceilings and tall windows, which add height and airiness, as well as practical elements like Murphy beds and tables that fold into the wall when not in use, help achieve this.

privacy Unlike co-living spaces, micro-units are private and people living in a micro-apartment don’t have to worry about sharing essential spaces with a bunch of roommates. There are generally additional communal spaces that help offset the small living environment, such as gyms, pools, and doormen. And both are part of a larger trend of offering alternative rental options in high-demand areas. a micro apartment complex

The tiny size of micro-apartments is often offset by vibrant neighbourhoods, appealing facilities, and ideal locations. Residents frequently only go back to their rooms at night, using the building as their living room and the city as their backyard. However, the cost is the main drawback of the currently created micro residences in Europe and the west.

why is it needed? In our country, where economic imbalance is still a problem, charging on a comparable basis would not resolve the problems that exist. Our nation needs to implement the prices and programmes used in affordable housing here. One of the most important needs for modern urban India is the availability of sufficient amounts of cheap housing. Due to the lack of planned housing for low-income and economically vulnerable households in Indian cities, living conditions are deteriorating and the housing scarcity is ongoing. The current housing system does not cater to the needs of all age groups. They are designed and segregated on the basis of luxury and space which will not function at all times. While this hinders the intended expansion of cities, it also creates a population of “less-than-equal citizens” who are compelled to live in substandard slum communities. The primary cause of this delay was the cost of these units, which can also be addressed by putting the government’s plans for affordable housing into practise. Micro housing can provide a relief, particularly in this country’s heavily crowded cities, where a solution is urgently needed. Since people will interact more if they are compelled to leave their apartments, it is both more ecologically green and socially beneficial. Many of the buildings have shared kitchens, living rooms, and balconies, and the majority are close to urban amenities like cafes and restaurants that people wouldn’t be able to afford to live close to if they were renting a normally sized apartment.

city scape in Delhi

a crowded street in Delhi

bachelors

who’s it for? The primary renter pool for a micro-apartment is, unsurprisingly, Millennials, who have historically been priced out of costly rentals in major cities. There is also appeal among older renters who are looking to downsize.

students The main need of college students is for short-term housing at affordable rates. Even if they are paying excessive rates, the students’ main problems in the current situation are the rent costs and the lack of amenities. The community-based living model used in micro housing is especially advantageous for individuals who are single, such as college students or bachelors moving to big cities in search of employment. For socialists like us, the need to belong to a community is a driving factor, and micro housing fulfills that need.

senior

citizens

According to a survey conducted in the populous city of Pune, senior citizens had the same needs as Millennials in terms of affordable housing and facilities. Because maintaining large residences would be challenging and they felt it unnecessary when a smaller unit could meet all of their needs, the older age group chose modest resident apartments. In terms of who isn’t renting a micro-apartment, it would be young families and couples because there isn’t much room for more than one person in a micro-apartment. Micro-units frequently have single occupancy, therefore property managers won’t let them be rented to more than one person.

conclusion The spread of micro-housing will significantly contribute to economic growth, despite any potential lifestyle perks. Micro apartments can be the perfect housing option for retirees, working-class bachelors, newly graduated college students, and college students who are unable to maintain huge homes while also needing community assistance, with the correct pricing structure from the government (a primary aspect lacking in the lives of those after retirement). Micro Apartments is an unforeseen necessity. The country will unavoidably suffer collateral damage as a result of the housing crisis since that is how the world works. Every profession and field is interconnected, and changes in one have an impact on others. If the housing crisis problem is not remedied, a significant portion of our people will end up on the streets, and of those, a sizable portion will be from the working class/ the engine of our nation’s economy. In addition to the population issue, a sizable number of residential properties remain unsold, which is once again contributing to the collapse of the economy. The housing industry is one of the foundational pillars of every nation’s economy, and if the housing crisis is not resolved, it will cause enormous damage. Micro housing is the most appropriate and efficient solution.

Image © TINGLAN Homey Resorts

Prefabricated homes of today.

A prefabricated home is a structure that is constructed in parts off-site, shipped, and then put together on-site to reduce construction time, labour, and cost. These houses are installed with plumbing and electricity in place and normally take a few weeks or months to be ready. This has many benefits over conventional building techniques, including speed, precision in execution, efficiency, cleanliness of the work, and in many circumstances, lower costs. Since housing is a basic human necessity, architects have always been interested in adopting industrial technologies to build affordable, high-quality housing, whether to accommodate expanding metropolitan populations or for shortterm or emergency settlements on a variety of scales.

Image © Imagen Subliminal (Miguel de Guzmán + Rocío

prefab? The best way to jump into this topic is by defining “prefabricated homes.” The reason is that prefab is actually a category of construction methods rather than one specific construction method. If any part of the house has been manufactured in advance at a factory before it is shipped to the site, that house is defined as “prefabricated.” Prefabricated homes in general can be broken down into three principal categories.

modular homes panel-built homes manufactured homes 08

As the name implies, modular homes are constructed from pre-assembled modules. These modules can be thought of as completed rooms that are placed one on top of the other like building bricks. Picture putting together Lego bricks, where each brick symbolises a different module. The most obvious application of modular design is the construction of houses from reused shipping containers. This building technique comes with tons of flexibility. A modular home can be made up of simply one unit or multiple units stacked together in any direction. The number of rooms can change at any time.

modular homes When using this kind of prefabricated design, the floor and foundation are put in first. Once these are set up, appliances may be added or the step may be postponed. Each finished wall is then lowered and put into place. The second story walls and, if there is one, the second floor, will be built in that order. When offices and other commercial structures are being developed, panel construction will be more prevalent than modular construction. The reason is that this style of building permits more openness inside structures. Another benefit is that shipping wall panels is less expensive than shipping whole modular modules.

panel-built homes A “manufactured home” is a third option for prefabricated dwelling. An complete factory is used to construct this kind of home. It has wheels attached so that it can be moved to the site, which typically has a concrete foundation. The wheels might or might not be taken off once the house is in place. When the wheels are left on, side-skirting is put in place around the house’s base. Prior to 1976, this form of housing was commonly referred to as mobile homes (trailers), but modern manufactured homes follow strict building codes that avoid the main drawbacks of mobile trailers.

materials used The building materials for prefab homes are steel, concrete, and wood. Each manufacturer uses a different mix of materials depending on the needs, finances, and levels of efficiency. These materials are less expensive than bricks and concrete.

cost of prefab home Constructing a prefab home can save money on labour, materials, water use, and construction labour costs. Prefab houses can be constructed more quickly and more easily than conventional stickbuilt houses. This implies that you can cut costs on both the building and maintenance of your property. Prefab building generally costs between Rs. 3,500 and Rs. 6,000 per square metre. However, this figure may change depending on the building materials utilised or local labour rates.

safety risks Prefabricated homes are fantastic for people looking to build a home at a reasonable cost and are simple to construct, but there are some possible safety considerations to take into account. It is not subject to the same amount of regulation as conventional building. A prefabricated home may also present major safety risks for the occupants if it is improperly put together.

summary For first-time homeowners and anyone trying to save money on their new home, prefabricated home methods are a perfect choice. •

The high energy efficiency of prefabricated buildings might help you reduce your electricity costs.

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They tend to use less water, which might reduce your water cost.

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Prefabricated homes are frequently constructed with environmentally friendly materials.

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They frequently take less time to build than conventional homes because they are factory-built. You could reduce your labour costs by doing this.

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They are frequently less expensive than conventional homes, making them a fantastic choice for first-time homebuyers or anybody trying to save money on their new home.

If you decide to build your new home using prefab methods, whether or not you choose modular construction, you have made a great decision. You’ll save time, hassle, and money, and you might even get a house that will hold up better to ageing, weather, and wear and tear.

Preserving Architectural Heritage in VR

Virtual reality, or VR as it is more often called these days, has long been hailed as a technological breakthrough that might reinvent how we live our daily lives. Today, it’s being used in a wide range of social and professional contexts, and the tourism industry is captivated by the potential that VR offers. For displaying arts and cultural entities, virtual reality (VR) has rapidly taken hold as a feature. When seen as a concept, “VR has the ability to imitate both imaginary and physical environments, as well as the processes that go along with them. The simulations can be tuned to the rate equivalent of multisensorial realism to influence the users’ visual, auditory, tactile, vestibular, and even olfactory and gustatory senses. Among other things, it is an attempt to aid the capture and preservation of globally threatened historical sites for future generations to experience.

Cultural heritage under threat ‘Global heritage is being damaged by both natural calamities and human violence.’

The world’s historical sites and architectural treasures are being diminished faster than we can document and repair them. The varieties of human cultural heritage are at danger due to wars, human conflict, negligence, and deliberate destruction. However, the total loss of cultural heritage worldwide is much greater than the destruction of heritage during wartime. Destruction brought on by urbanisation, resource extraction, climate change, tourism, and even natural calamities is much more significant and unavoidable. For instance, a recent documentary made popular the scenario where Chinese mining interests are threatening the historic Buddhist site of Mes Aynak in Afghanistan. Even tourism can lead to massive destruction due to the large number of people it can draw as well as the fact that turning a site into a tourist-friendly location frequently profoundly alters its meaning for local people, who may find their connections to a place that have been erased. This is true even though many heritage sites are preserved to encourage tourist revenue. Different types of ancient sites can be found all throughout the world as reminders and proof of our long and diverse cultural heritage. However, the majority of these sites are in bad shape, and professional planning solutions for dealing with them are inadequate. It often undervalued how important ancient landscapes and legacy assets are to modern development.

here’s how There are several museums that are totally built around virtual reality, such as the Museum of Other Realities, which is entirely virtual. Google Arts & Culture, which has its own database of world sites; and Open Heritage, which makes use of VR to let viewers view the sites in 3D. Cultural heritage experts have discovered a unique role for virtual reality in site recreations, many of which are in danger of being destroyed in the real world, despite the ethical issues surrounding it. They use their cutting-edge 3D laser scanning technology to capture crucial information at significant locations and turn it into an in-depth VR recreation. Texture, color, geometry, all aspects of the designated location are replicated with stunning accuracy at “millimeter” precision. These detailed scans are then merged digitally to be explored through the virtual dimension. They can also be used to assist restoration efforts.

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ethical concerns It’s crucial to remember that individuals who are reproducing these works (typically in western and predominantly white nations) must take into account power dynamics and “how it’s different when Westerners or tech corporations save cultural items compared to someone else who genuinely originates from the culture.” These efforts often disregard locations and antiquities that are well-known within these nations but may not be wellknown to the larger Western culture. The use of technology to replicate cultural heritage places raises a number of ethical questions. Political exploitation of the sites is another common worry, as is the likelihood that these VR experiences will be created by engineers who have little to no experience with or connection to the actual sites itself and that they would be largely based on Westernized viewpoints. Due to the fact that these historical locations and their artefacts “are not protectable by copyright, they are in the public domain many times over,” nearly anyone can create a reproduction without giving it the needful consideration for history, detail, and cultural consent. Even if the construction of these VR experiences runs the danger of several ethical issues, such as the perspective, political stance, and accessibility, the right goal and balanced collaboration might result in VR cultural heritage recreation projects that are meaningful and non-exploitative.

sources and further reading

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https://dribbble.com/tags/3d_apartment https://www.impressiveinteriordesign.com/micro-apartments/ https://www.behance.net/gallery/29434351/Zabki-45m2 https://www.behance.net/atng https://issuu.com/g.b.nair/docs/research_paper__final_ https://www.moving.com/tips/is-a-micro-apartment-right-for-you/ https://www.dezeen.com/2021/01/18/life-minimalist-micro-apartments-ian-leeseoul/

• https://metalbuildinghomes.org/prefab-vs-modular/ • https://www.buildingsguide.com/blog/introduction-prefab-homes-buildings/ • https://www.beautifulhomes.com/design/feature/are-we-ready-for-prefabhomes.html • https://housing.com/news/can-prefab-construction-make-homes-affordable/ • https://www.archdaily.com/968367/prefabrication-could-make-housing-construction-more-affordable

• https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/saving-cultural-landmarks-3d-scanning-google-cyark-132505/ • https://vrarch.online/portfolio/chapter-11/ • https://amt-lab.org/blog/2022/4/motivating-usages-of-virtual-reality-in-cultural-heritage • https://vrscout.com/news/google-preserve-historical-sites-vr/# • https://theconversation.com/museums-are-using-virtual-reality-to-preserve-thepast-before-its-too-late-44600 • https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/special-topics-art-history/ arches-at-risk-cultural-heritage-education-series/arches-beginners-guide/a/cultural-heritage-in-crisis