Pre-cast Housing A

Revitalizing Rural Living: A Pre-cast Modular Approach to Social Housing Design

NDDC was challenged by an IAS officer to present a good quality housing proposal under 1000 Rs/sq. ft. This proposal presents a comprehensive vision for a social housing project tailored to the unique needs of rural communities. Our aim is to create a modular and functional living environment that not only meets the practical requirements of residents but also fosters a sense of community and cultural connection. This was achieved through precast units and modules making the construction time efficient and the design functional and durable.

The government approved design layout presented several issues, particularly in usability, privacy, and ventilation.

Government Approved Layouts (Rejected)

Existing Plot Design

Road infrastructure :

This plot design has wide road frontage and thus requires more road infrastructure.

Drawbacks of Existing Government Approved Plan

Existing Unit Plan

Privacy Issues:
Close window placements compromise privacy, as units face each other in close quarters.

Lack of Sunlight and Ventilation: Insufficient space between houses hinders sunlight and airflow.

Unusable Margins: Approximately 15% of the area is rendered unusable due to the narrow 1-foot margins between plots.

Increased Infrastructure Costs: Setback areas unnecessarily raise infrastructure and construction costs.

Existing Unit Plan

Doors in bathroom :

Two doors in bathroom reduces the usable space . Also the external access to bathroom is also risks the safety.

Non liveable spaces :

The living room and pooja room space is not defined therefore having difficulty placing furniture.

Separate service:

It increases the maintenance costs and plumbing costs.

Poor light and ventilation:

Due to placement of window and less margin, light and ventilation is poor

New Pre-Cast Modular Design

New Plot Design

Saves Infrastructure Costs: Converting the setback area into courtyard saves the infrastructure costs.

Conversion of setback area into courtyard: The courtyard uses the same 60 sq. ft. of land in a better and more efficient way.

Lack of Sunlight and Ventilation: Insufficient space between houses hinders sunlight and airflow.

Less road infrastructure required: Narrow planning of the plots helps in reducing road infrastructure cost.

To address these issues, the proposed design for rural social housing offers several advantages, including row houses with two or more common walls, reducing the unusable setback space while enhancing functionality, privacy, and cost-effectiveness. It also provides spacious bedroom area, a separate courtyard, and provision for a dedicated outdoor space for social and cultural activity.

Proposed Plan

Courtyard

Place for plantation: Courtyard can be used to plant trees and shrubs bringing greenery inside home.

Good Ventilation: Courtyard provides for a passive cooling and ventilating system.

Pre-Cast Concrete Construction:

Cost-Effective: Precast elements reduce expenses by minimizing the need for finishing work like painting and plastering.
Time-Efficient: The construction process is streamlined, reducing project timelines.
Monolithic Finish: Precast concrete offers a leakproof, even and polished look, adding elegance to the housing design.

Saves Expenses: The cost of painting, plastering, flooring etc. costs are reduced.

Saves Time: Could be easily made in few steps of construction.

Multi function space: Courtyard serves as a common multi function space that can be used by old people , kids or even for services

Services

Lighting Layout

Stacked Services:

Optimized Circulation: Grouping services near common areas creates a smooth circulation flow, enhancing functionality.
Cost Savings: Shared piping reduces material costs and decreases maintenance due to stacked service lines.

No illegal expansion: The cost of painting, plastering, flooring, etc. costs are reduced.

Waterproofing is easy: Could be easily made in few steps of construction.

Clerestory sloping roof :

Improved Ventilation: The slope supports efficient airflow, complementing the courtyard's passive cooling effect by letting the hot air out.
Waterproofing Advantage: A sloped roof design simplifies waterproofing and protects against rain, prolonging the building's durability.

Dual-Function Doors:

Ventilation and Privacy Control: Doors can be customized with glass, jali, or louvres according to the user's preference and double as windows, allowing light and air flow while maintaining privacy. This feature supports adaptability in different seasons and daily routines.