Loci of Commons

Open to Students, Professionals, Mixed teams

In a country of 1.4 billion, 490-504 million people stay in urban context, ~375 million people require affordable housing. The competition was floated by INHAF (Habitat Forum) for developing proposals on improving  livability of small low cost houses. The competition required 3 main parts, Case studies of existing human settlements, Suggestions to existing set of byelaws and a final proposal which has a replicable system applied to different contexts across the nation. Our proposal tackled the problem by targeting innovation in 3 realms: Social Module, Construction Module and Financial Module. 

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The diverse team consisted of a urban designer, geographer, 3 graduate students and 1 student in final year. The team decided to undertake this project during the difficult times of covid through regular zoom discussion and rigorous discussions using Miro board. Our research into current low cost housing scenario yielded real problems  led to larger fundamental questioning and identification of living patterns. This initial research also led us to make bold and informed decisions about priorities of lifestyle. Brainstorming at macro and micro scales helped to have a well rounded approach from looking at it from financial feasibility to aiming for unique lifestyles. 

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The project was a hallmark for constructive criticism to achieve design excellence. The project suggests pan India design strategy to impact housing design in the low-cost and affordable housing categories.