ROW HOUSING, MUMBAI
A row-housing development located on the outskirts of Mumbai, built around an open ground floor that lets each home breathe without sprawling. 18 G+2 townhouses, where density and open living coexist.
Date:
mar 16, 2017
LOCATION:
greater mumbai, india
Industry:
Architecture - residential - row housing
Site
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION
SITE PLAN
2,236 FT²
18
far
CONTEXT & SETTING
LAND IN MUMBAI'S SUBURBS KEEPS SHRINKING, BUT WHAT PEOPLE WANT FROM A HOME HASN'T. THEY STILL WANT TO STEP OUTSIDE ONTO GRASS, NOT INTO A LOBBY. MOST HOUSING AT THIS SCALE SOLVES FOR GREENERY WITH A SHARED COURTYARD, ONE THAT LOOKS GOOD FROM A BALCONY BUT TAKES AN ELEVATOR RIDE AND A WALK TO ACTUALLY REACH.
THIS PROJECT STARTED FROM A DIFFERENT ASSUMPTION, THAT A FAMILY'S OUTDOOR SPACE SHOULD SIT RIGHT AT THEIR OWN DOORSTEP, NOT SHARED WITH THE REST OF THE BUILDING.
THE PROJECT GIVES EACH HOUSE ITS OWN RECREATION SPACE, NOT SOMETHING SHARED SEVERAL FLOORS DOWN, BUT RIGHT AT THE DOORSTEP, JUST FOR THAT FAMILY.
MASSING & DEVELOPMENT
THE MASSING EVOLVES AS A SIMPLE GROUND‑PLUS‑TWO EXTRUSION THAT’S CARVED AND STEPPED TO KEEP EVERY HOME VISUALLY TIED TO ITS OWN OUTDOOR SPACE; THE BLOCKS SIT LIGHTLY ON AN OPEN GROUND PLANE, WITH LAWNS FRONT AND BACK, AND DECKS STACKED ABOVE THEM, CREATING A LOW, BREATHABLE RHYTHM OF 18 TOWNHOUSES THAT FEEL LIKE INDIVIDUAL HOMES STITCHED TOGETHER BY GREENERY RATHER THAN A SINGLE DENSE BUILDING.
SITE & CONTEXT
1
BASE MASSING EXTRUSION
2
VOLUMETRIC STUDY
3
REFINED ARTICULATION
4
COMMUNITY EDGE
5
FINAL FORM
6
DESIGN STRATEGY
INSTEAD OF BUILDING UP ON EVERY INCH OF THE PLOT, THE GROUND FLOOR WAS LEFT FLEXIBLE. PARKING SITS ON ONE SIDE, AND THE REST IS FREE FOR THE FAMILY TO USE HOWEVER THEY NEED. IN THE EVENING IT'S WHERE KIDS CAN PLAY. WHEN RELATIVES VISIT FOR A FESTIVAL, IT TURNS INTO A GATHERING SPOT. AND IF THE FAMILY GROWS, IT'S ROOM TO BUILD INTO LATER.
THAT FLEXIBILITY CARRIES UPWARD TOO, WITH A DECK ON THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOOR SITTING DIRECTLY ABOVE THIS OPEN GROUND LEVEL, SO EVERY FAMILY KEEPS A VISUAL CONNECTION TO THEIR OWN PATCH OF GREEN NO MATTER WHICH FLOOR THEY'RE ON.
BECAUSE THE GROUND LEVEL KEEPS THAT ROOM TO BREATHE, 18 TOWNHOUSES FIT ON THIS SITE WITHOUT FEELING PACKED TOGETHER. EACH HOME IS A GROUND-PLUS-TWO STRUCTURE, WITH A LAWN FRONT AND BACK, AND DECKS ON EACH FLOOR OVERLOOKING THE GREENERY BELOW.
