Gharkul

Mumbai has always tried to keep pace with its escalating housing needs and affordability has also been a crucial issue in all its housing developments. To address these needs, City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd (CIDCO) endeavoured to create low cost housing developments so as to make affordable housing available for the economically weak sections of the society. When CIDCO commissioned the architect to design this particular development – his principal idea was to establish a cost effective development that would enhance community living. The fundamental issue of low cost architecture was addressed on a tectonic level by optimising the use of appropriate resources, materials and technology. There was also a definite emphasis on services and basic amenities which were planned and executed in an economical technique. Further, strategies were incorporated to decrease the cost by reducing on external walls, thereby cutting down on quantity of plaster. The scheme essentially consisted of 3-storey structures, with each block containing four abodes on every floor. Each one of the clusters also includes its own sub-stations and a car park. External landscaping has also been provided around the buildings with a central courtyard or lawn shared by 10 to 12 block clusters which contributes to community way of life. The internal main roads are 5 mtr wide and the streets are 3.5 mtr wide. A large green space that includes the playground forms the central hub of all the clusters. The individual clusters which are adorned with a number of bright colours break the dullness of row housing. The design also has forms like arches for the entrance and smaller openings for the stairwell. The block numbers that are painted boldly on the walls turn out to be an artistic expression.