Housing Design

V.BalasubramanianAssociate Professor of Architecture

TCE, Madurai-15

Definition

• Housing is “ The physical environment, neighbourhood, micro – district or the physical infra structures that mankind use for shelter and the environs ofthat structure, including all necessary services, facilities, equipment and devices needed for the physical health and social well being of the family and the individual.”

Housing Design Process

Project Formulation Analysis

Design Development

Evaluation/Alternatives

Implementation

Maintenance

Project Formulation“ Housing is a Commodity”

Factors influence the Housing Project• Land - Value, Condition and Ownership• Need and Context• Target Group and Composition of Typologies• Prevailing Building Bye Laws• Sources of Infrastructure• Organisational Hierarchy ( In case of Industrial Housing)• Finance and market• Cost of Construction• Delivery and Maintenance

Site AnalysisSite Analysis – On site

Off Site Condition

Natural Factors – Water, Physiography, Orientation, Vegetation , View , Climate etc.,

Manmade Factors – Location, Cultural Attraction, Utilities and Services, Buildings , Roads Etc.,

Onsite ConditionsIdentification of the following:

• Site Potentials

• Site Problems

• Site issues

• Site Amenity

• Site Danger Signal

Off Site Condition

Direct Affect

Availability and Proximity to various utilities

Indirect Affect:

Availability of Primary School

Un desirable views

Parking, Shops , bus stop, library and Park

• House Analysis

• Housing Concept Development

• Open Spaces

• Circulation and Parking

• Services

• Recreational facilities and Amenities

• Landscaping

• Materials & Technology and Cost

• Community Participation

Design Development

House Analysis– Determination of House Quality and Suitability– Identification of Household types– Identification of House Type– Correlation of Household/House type

Territory….. Orientation….Privacy…..Identity….Convenience...

Accessibility….. Safety.

House typologies

Housing Concept Development Development Program Based on

• Human Need

• Defining Cluster Space

• Impact Assessment

• Evaluation

Relates to four factors

Amenity….Identity…..Land use…. Activity

Cluster Formation

Unit Entrance

Types Open space

Local (neighbourhood)

District

Regional

Icon open spaces.

Open Spaces

Open Spaces

Active and passive open space and natural areas

Location, size and setting

location of open spaces should consider accessibility and equitable distribution

Parks may be linear when connecting two destinations, or stand alone spaces, but should always be of a reasonable size and shape to easily allow the desired use.

 space should not be the left-over or un-developable land

Safer by design

Surveillance 

Access control 

Territorial reinforcement 

Management and maintenance

HIERARCHY

PrivateSemi PublicPublic open

PUBLIC

SEMI PUBLIC

PRIVATE

Key Issues

Benefits

Risks

Savings

Costs

Barriers

Benchmarks

 

Environmental protection and sustainability

 Biodiversity

Mature vegetation should always be retained where possible in public open spaces

Design, planning and management considerations must be well thought-out to ensure the dual-use areas remains safe to use for recreational and leisure purposes, including:

The use of appropriate signageProviding fencing or restrictions to access for deep water bodies where supervision of small children may be required;Ensuring areas for playgrounds are appropriately sited away from drainage corridors or flood zonesPlanning and providing adequate funding to enable areas to be maintained including ensuring drains are not blocked and detention basins are properly functional.

Open space design principles

Development phase actions

Feasibility

Planning

Design

Construction

Lot Creation

Completion

BalanceProvide a variety of open spaces to serve a range of different active and passive recreational roles to meet the diversity of community needs.

Access

Provide for safe and convenient access to open spaces within and between communities, and where possible co-locate open spaces with shops, schools and other community facilities to reduce parking and minimise walking distances.

PreservationUse open space to protect and enhance the environmental, cultural and heritage values of an area

Place Making

Locate open spaces to build on the special attributes of an area for long-term public amenity and sense of place; for example an open-space network may include hill tops, river frontage, mature trees, places with panoramic views, rocky outcrops and remnant vegetation.

IntegrationConnect open space as part of a municipal network and link into the regional open space system where possible.

SafetyDesign and maintain open spaces to ensure that public safety is commensurate to the level of use and targeted user groups.

SustainabilityDesign, development and management of open space should respond to environmental values and conditions, community aspirations and economic considerations and must remain viable in the long term.

EquityProvide equitable access to parks and open spaces to ensure that the type, location and quality of the infrastructure are evenly spread.

WaterwiseProvide areas within the open-space network sufficient to detain and cleanse stormwater runoff and avoid impacting sensitive areas.

 

Circulation

Cul de Sac/ Parking

Infra Structure and Services

 

Social infrastructure: An integrated township always has the basic social infrastructure essentials. They are as follows:

 

Ø       School: A quality school with education up to at least 10thstandard is set up within the township, reducing the travelling time between home and school and in turn providing the children with more time for play and studies.

Ø       Medicare: A good healthcare facility with at least 50-plus beds and an emergency care is set up within the township, thereby facilitating residents.

Ø       Recreation: Adequate space for basic sports such as football, cricket, tennis and badminton, fitness facilities including a gymnasium and swimming pools are set up within the township to enhance social lifestyle.

Ø       Community centre: A spacious, well-decorated community centre with a club house and a function hall is set up within the township.

Infrastructure and services: 

Ø       Road network: A well-planned road network both within the township and connecting to the nearest highway or main road is built, thereby easing communication.

Ø       Water supply and management: A well-planned and sustainable water management system is built within the township, providing round the clock water supply to residents as well as treating the waste water generated within the township and recycling it. This also reduces dependence on municipal water supply.

Ø       Electricity supply and management: Although an integrated township depends on a public or private utility supplier for basic power supply, it has adequate, if not abundant, back-up power for both homes and common areas during temporary or scheduled power cuts or disruptions by the utility supplier.

Ø       Communication infrastructure: Good quality telecom services are also made available within the township and nearby.

 

Ø       Garbage and waste management: Good garbage collection, aggregation, treatment and disposal system is a must for a healthier and eco-friendly township.

Ø       Infrastructure maintenance: Proper and regular maintenance of roads, pathways, parks, electrical and plumbing infrastructure, children play areas and common areas including community centre is essential for a well-developed integrated township.

Ø       Security: Superior estate security and safety for all residents is a critical element of an integrated township.

Shopping and entertainment: An integrated township is incomplete without shopping centres and entertainment areas.

 

Ø       Entertainment: Quality cinema or multiplex, popular games and kid entertainment facilities should be established within the township.

Ø       Shopping: Well-stocked grocery stores as well as shopping centres including branded garment stores, electronic goods should be established within the township.

Ø       Food courts: Good quality and hygienic food courts with ample menu options should be established within the townships to cater to the taste buds of all types of residents.

Community Participation

DEFINING PARTICIPATION

“community participation is an active process by which beneficiary or client groups influence the direction and execution of a development project with a view to enhancing their being in terms of income, personal growth, self-reliance, or other values they cherish (paul, 1988)”

RESULT OF PARTICIPATION?

•EFFICIENCY •EFFECTIVENESS •SELF-RELIANCE •COVERAGE • SUSTAINABILITY

Level of participation

The guide proposes a five-rung ladder of participation which relates to the stance an organization promoting participation may take.

Information: merely telling people what is planned.

Consultation: offering some options, listening to feedback, but not allowing new ideas.

Deciding together: encouraging additional options and ideas, and providing opportunities for joint decision-making.

Acting together: not only do different interests decide together on what is best, they form a partnership to carry it out.

Supporting independent community interests: local groups or organizations are offered funds, advice or other support to develop their own agendas within guidelines.

Questions???