OPEN IDEAS NATIONAL COMPETITION 2018

IMPROVING
LIVABILITY
OF SMALL HOUSES

Image Courtesy : Wim Jonker

SPONSOR SUPPORT
 Improving livability of Small Houses
or Apartments being constructed in
Indian Cities under PMAY and other
Affordable Housing Projects
A competition for the Professional Designers and
Students of Design Faculties wishing to contribute
ideas and suggest approaches to public housing
agencies and private builders, who construct
thousands of affordable houses with designs that
ensure :

• More livable and usable space for the cramped,

small houses within the given area for the
resident families

• Better social interaction and community life

among them

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL.
• Sustainable delivery of services such as water,
electricity, solid waste disposal, etc.

•Greater aesthetic sensitivity in these buildings

SMALL AFFORDABLE HOUSES that shape the new urban landscape

ARE OFTEN NOT. These houses and buildings must get better and the
architects and other designers have a role in this
A GOOD DESIGN process.

Open Ideas National Competition 2018 MAKES A DIFFERENCE! Your design interventions could change the way
these families live, their children grow, houses
Improving Livability of Small Houses function, buildings look and the cities develop.

A competition by Habitat Forum (INHAF), Ahmedabad | Pune

Supported by GRUH Finance For Small
yet
This brochure is prepared as a guide for the participants of the competition. Feel free to copy, distribute and
reproduce it in any format with credits/sources attributed to Habitat Forum (INHAF). Better Designed
Habitat Forum (INHAF)
Better Functioning
51/A, Thakorebaug Flats Annexe, Mithakali, Navarangpura,Ahmedabad,380009 Better Looking
www.inhaf.org
inhaf.competition@gmail.com Socially and Psychologically Better
COME • PARTICIPATE • CONTRIBUTE Evolved Houses and Buildings
Designed by INHAF at Ahmedabad | August 2018 3
INVITATION TO:
• Architects and Engineers
Aims:
• Interior and Furniture designers
• Planners
• Senior Students of above Faculties CREATE Awareness among designers ̵̶ especially architects,
interior and furniture designers ̶ about the challenges in
designing small houses, low-cost housing projects and
• Non-governmental organizations in the the market potential of this housing segment.
settlement development field
• Designers and shelter providers from
the informal sector.

To Participate in a Pan-India Competition,

INTRODUCE Design students to the challenges, especially the needs
and compulsions of the low-income clients and low-cost
projects.
“Improving Livability of Small Houses”
Design solutions that improve “livability” of small houses

Registeration and for more info :

PRODUCE for the low income- and often large- families that occupy
them.

www.architexturez.asia

&
The designers see and apply themseleves to the

www.inhaf.org
MAKE psychological, sociological and cultural factors in house
design, cluster design and site planning that emphasizes
the “people” aspect of the design engagement.

Role of the affordable housing in shaping the built form

Launch Date : 01 August , 2018

HIGHLIGHT and physical landscape of the city—seeing it in the wider
urban form context.

Registration : 01 August to 30 September, 2018

Final Submission : 30 November, 2018
DEMONSTRATE Cost consciousness and sustainability principles in the
affordable housing projects.

4
 In the backdrop of general affordable housing
scenario in cities, this competition seeks to
establish : “Improving Liveability”
is defined as:
• Low-income housing should not
Physical Livability: Addition
automatically mean low quality
housing. ‘Vertical slums’ are not of useable space—covered,
inevitable. semi-open, open-to-sky—in
the given built up area at
• The principle of incremental growth little extra cost, through
can also be adopted in multi floor creative design and
buildings. detailing. Also through
space enhancing, low-cost
• Smaller spaces conditioned by furniture design.
affordability constraints could be
made reasonably bigger through Social Livability: More
creative design.
congenial neighborhood
through community need
• Design for sustainability ̶ water,
energy, waste management- must not sensitive common space
escape affordable housing projects. design and participation in
These aspects ̶ o ptimum use, minimum neighbor selection.
waste, maximum recycling, easy and
low-cost maintainance ̶ m ust weigh
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more, not less in such projects . Ecological Livability:
Bringing elements of nature
Also, in the design and adding
The “People” centeredness of the design: intangible dimensions that
enrich psychological,
• Not only families, also neighbours sociological and cultural
Image Courtesy : pinimg.com

Image Courtesy: © Paolo Pampolin

aspects of living.
• Not only individual apartment, also
community space
Aesthetic Livability: Elegant
• Not only an individual, also the collective built form, attractive
neighborhood, inviting
• Not only a place for living, also for
occasional livelihood activity space, quality, etc.

• Public common space for family assets:

for cycle, scooter, car, hand cart, etc.
6 7
 CONTEXT

1
With 96 percent of housing deficit
among the economically weaker
sections and the low income
groups, a large number of houses
that get constructed now and in the
future will be small, generally
low-cost and utilitarian. The skyline
of Indian cities will be dominated by
this housing typology.

2
With a target of 2 crore houses by
2022 under Pradhan Mantri Awas
Yojana (PMAY), an ambitious,
proactive program that seeks to
reduce affordability gap through
interest subvention , upfront
subsidization, easy access to
institutional finance, incentives for
the private sector and supports in

Image Courtesy: ©dawn.com

general for affordable housing, a
stage is set for a surge in affordable
housing construction in the Indian
cities, big and small.

9
 6
3
Over the years , small, low cost houses have been
constructed mostly by the public sector agencies
and save some exceptions they have been found
deficient in design, workmanship, construction
quality, delivery schedule and maintenance. The
public sector agencies still remain the principal
suppliers and though there is greater awareness
on the “quality” aspects, the pace of change is
slow.
4
Despite the organized private sector’s entry in the
affordable housing segment, the “quality” aspect
7
has not been addressed sufficiently due to low cost
nature of the projects.
5
Established architects, in general , have kept away
from the affordable housing scene, save some
prestigious projects. Their involvement in such
projects is limited. Also, the architects do not see
8
much scope for creative expression in small
houses and low-cost buildings. Consequently the
Image Courtesy: Dinesh Parab © DNA
vigour required to get the maximum out of the
minimum in design is rarely seen.
10
Generally in all forms of housing,
especially low cost affordable housing, the
‘people angle’ is missing, both in design
and planning. With the private builders
and promoters it is mainly the ‘sq. ft.
business’ with high premium on FSI.
Architects of these projects often seek
shelter behind the ‘faceless client’
argument. Sensitive handling of the client
or the end user needs is also not a strong
aspect of such public housing projects.
Neglect of people means neglect of their
living habits ,social interactions, cultural
beliefs and aspirations.
The non-demanding end users of the low
income housing projects suffer mainly
because of the conspiracy of
circumstances and attitudes. Seen largely
as subsidy targets their houses and
buildings are poorly designed and
detailed, badly constructed, suffer poor
maintenance and usually look unpleasant.
Paradoxically, the sustainability
considerations are absent from the
affordable housing projects which need
Image Courtesy: © pinimg.com
them the most. Design for sustainability is
seen almost exclusive preserve of the
upper class and high end housing.
 PROJECT SELECTION
• This competition consists of re-designing
an existing live project being implemented
by a public agency or a private builder.1

• Conditions for the selection of the project

include:
a) An urban location
b) More than 300 units
c) Affordable category
d) Approved by the competent
authority or submitted for approval
e) Under construction or ready to start
construction
f) Completed and occupied in the last
one year.

• All the givens of the selected live project

are to be taken as givens such as :
- The site (location, size, dimensions,
This competition seeks to engage experienced professionals conditions, neighborhood, etc.)
and young designers to address these challenges as a way to offering:

Image Courtesy: © Financial Express

- Local building byelaws of the city/state
- Unit area and percentage size mix, if any
Better designed Small Houses - Clients (or dummy clients, if not real or
Better relating Neighbors identified
Better functioning buildings with Sustainable services
Better managed Community Spaces for Community Living ¹ The participant should obtain the required permission and details of such

Better Looking Cities. a project from the owner, manager or agency. The sponsors of the
competition will issue a letter of introduction and recommendation if

Image Source : wordpress.com 12 needed.

13
 1 7

P r i o r i t y
J u d g i n g
Focus on practical and Space for livelihood activities
workable solutions

2 8
EMPHASIS ON
Top terrace as usable
Practicality
community space
Do-ability
Use-ability
Implement-ability

C o n s i d e r a t i o n s
f o r
Incremental growth

9
Adaptability
possibility for all or some of
Upscale-ability
the units. ( with or without

3
Expansion of functional , change in

C o n s i d e r a t i o n s
usable space without building bye-laws and
additional built up area regulations)
such as low height

10
mezzanine, open to sky Specific proposals and
terrace or land, storage ideas for cost reduction in
areas, working and playing construction and building

Image Courtesy © Celina Pittaro, Camila Nicolet, Mailena Fahy

spaces for children, etc. maintenance
Image Courtesy © Celina Pittaro, Camila Nicolet, Mailena Fahy

4 11
Additional storage space
through creative detailing.
Also, adaptable low-cost
furniture
Tools and methodology for
participatory design and
planning and consultative
decision making

f o r
5 12
Parking space for cycles,
two and four wheelers, Creation of community
hand carts and other interaction spaces

J u d g i n g
P r i o r i t y

working tools.

6 Efficient common circulation

spaces
13 Imaginative handling of high
densities

14
 1
14

P r i o r i t y
Low cost maintenance
options of houses, building,
and the site

15
Adequate access for senior
citizen and specially abled
people and safety for children

C o n s i d e r a t i o n s
16

COMPETITION REQUIREMENT # 1
Ideas and proposals to save

ABSTRACT
water and electricity and
reduction of waste

17
Innovative ideas on cost
reduction of land and improving
land availability for affordable An abstract-750 words
housing
that covers concept,

18

Image Courtesy © Celina Pittaro, Camila Nicolet, Mailena Fahy

? assumptions, approach
and methodology
used to arrive at the
19 ? ideas and solutions.
f o r

20 ?
J u d g i n g

17
 2 NEW DESIGN
OF THE

3 REQUIRED
CHANGES IN

COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS # 3
ADOPTED BUILDING
COMPETITION REQUIREMENT # 2

PROJECT BY-LAWS
Exciting building by-laws and
i. All details of the newly
formulated project,including regulations are perceived as
design of houses, buildings, constraints to good design, that
site layout,and related result in compromised living
details. environments.

Suggestion for strategic changes in

ii. Required drawings, models the existing building bye laws and
etc. which adequately
regulations required to implement
communicates the new
design.
the proposals and ideas. It may
include height restrictions, size of
the projection in the margins,
iii. Ideas and proposals on ground coverage, shape and location
sustainable building , cost
of common open space, etc.
reduction, participatory design,
service efficiency and
community aspects etc

18
 4 A.
Six (6) A2 sheets, drawings and presentations
oriented in portrait and submitted as a single
PDF.

The above should have minimum text such as

CASE
titles, labels and minor descriptions.
COMPETITION REQUIREMENT # 4

B.
STUDIES

DELIVERABLES
A ten (10) page PDF document that highlights the
following:
Two case studies • Project summary
showcasing effective • Rational of project selection
addition of useable • Analysis of the existing design
space for the living • Methodology
functions, storing, • Features of the new designs and solutions.
space extensions etc.

C.
in existing, homes
(formal or informal).
• Entries only in PDF
• Limited to 10 MB file size
• Submission only on the competition website
• Submission before 2300 HRS on 30 November, 2018
• Entries to be judged anonymously by the jury
20 21
JURY
AJAY NAYAK
EdEn (Educated Environments)
TIP (The Indigenous partnership)
RULES AND REGULATIONS
ELIGIBILITY THE WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE :
• Practicing professionals : Architects, Interior and Published in the print media
ASHOK B LALL Furniture Designers ,Planners, Engineers partner magazines –
Ashok B Lall Architects
• Senior Students of above faculties • Civil Society Magazine
• Others : NGOs with relevant experience • Inside Outside
› Open to people residing in India
• • ifj
› No team size restriction
and the online portal
› Teams may be formed between members of any
of the above groups • Architexturez South Asia.

› No direct relationship with the organizers or Presented to the relevant

CHITRANJAN KAUSHIK JAXAY SHAH jury. In case of perceived conflict of interest , departments of the Central
EcoFirst Services President, CREDAI
contact the organizers Government, State Governments
and association of Private Sector
developers.
REGISTRATION Circulated widely through other
• Register at: architexturez.asia social media platforms.
till 30th September 2018.

KIRTEE SHAH LAXMI NARAYAN

Habitat Forum ( INHAF )
• Confirmation email with a unique identification INTERACTION
Kagad Kach Patra
number after registration During the competition participants
Kashtakari Panchayat, Pune • Unique Identification number to be used for are encouraged to:
project submission
• Ask questions,
• Seek clarifications and
PRIZES • Interact generally through email:
First Rs.75,000
_ Inhaf.competition@gmail.com.

Second _ Rs 50,000 • Responses will be posted on the

MARINA JOSEPH RAHUL MEHROTRA competition website: inhaf.org
YUVA, Mumbai RMA Architects Third _ Rs 25,000

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 CREDITS
Brochure Design
Jacob, Akash, Kirtee, Priyanka, Chestha, Astha, Keya |INHAF Ahmedabad

Creative Inputs
Anand Bhatt | Architexturez South Asia

Cover Photo
This competition is not only about winning, it is about attempting Expression of a slum by Wim Jonker

Not about offering solutions only, but knowing, learning and discovering in the Photo Contributors
process Pg.6 : Rooftop Dream | pinimg.com
Pg.7 : Windows of Life, by Paulo Pampolin Photographer |
PauloPampolin
Using design skills, competence and knowledge in improving and enriching the Pg.8 : Chirodeep Chaudhari |LSE Cities, How Mumbai Once
living of the unreached, neglected and excluded Lived | Rediff.com ,Alamy Stock Photo
Pg.9 : Through Mumbai | Dawn.com
Pg.10 : Vertical Slums bring plethora of woes for Mumbai |
Not just a design intervention, but a journey through social housing Dinesh Parab | DNA
Pg.11 : Vertical Slums via Montse Neira Bull | Pinimg.com
Pg.12: Akshat Rathi | Wordpress
Pg.13 : Financial Express
Pg.14, 15, 16 : Celina Pittaro, Camila Nicolet, Mailena Fahy,
Collective housing| archdaily.com
Pg.17, 18, 19, 20 : Stock images from Unsplash.com

Not only housing design ; designing for families, communities, neighborhoods and The designers express their acknowledgments to the contributors for their photographs.
cities. 25
Open Ideas National Competition 2018
Improving Livability of Small Houses
Sponsored by INHAF (Habitat Forum) , Ahmedabad | Pune
Print Media Partners
Habitat forum (INHAF) is a network aiming to bring together, on a shared platform, NGOs, civic groups and
communities; design, planning and development professionals; professional training institutions and young Civil Society Magazine
students working in the human settlement development field with a special interest in urban and rural Civil Society is an independent magazine published from New Delhi.
housing for the low income groups; participatory planning and inclusive development; poverty reduction; Launched in 2003, to tell stories of of change from across the chaotic
livable, people centered, poor sensitive and environment friendly cities and sustainable development. landscape of post-reforms India.
URL : http://www.civilsocietyonline.com
INHAF is conceived as an all India platform to facilitate and promote information and knowledge exchange,
experience sharing, lateral learning and joint action among the partners and stakeholders. Capacity
building and enhancing impact potential of the non-governmental actors, the citizen sector, for greaterc40018
contribution to better policies, programmes and institution development are INHAF’s core objectives. INHAF ifj Magazine
is committed to working in partnership with similarly oriented and motivated individuals, groups, agencies Index Furniture Journal (IFJ) is a publication on furniture, interiors and
and institutions in search for better responses and solutions. design ,with a strong business focus, bridging the gap between India and
the global community. URL : www.ifj.co.in
Designed to cover both urban and rural settlements and committed to function in a participatory and
decentralized manner, INHAF’s current activities include:
a) What has Pune and Ahmedabad done to house their poor in the past 10 years?
b) Engaging with all 9 Smart City Project in Maharashtra and other states through a nationwide coalition.
c) Engaging with the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) /HfA mission through a nationwide coalition. Inside Outside Magazine
d) Assessing CSR impact on NGO works. INSIDE OUTSIDE is India’s first and foremost monthly magazine on
e) Developing methodology on Poor defining poverty line in Pune city as a bottom up approach to interior design and architecture. Launched in 1978, the magazine focuses
understanding poverty. on well designed interiors, residential or commercial.
f) Study of BRTS in Pune and Ahmedabad from a user and stakeholder perspective. URL: www.insideoutside.in
Supported by GRUH Finance

GRUH Finance Limited (GRUH) is a housing finance company established in 1986 with its registered office Online Media Partners
at Ahmedabad. GRUH primarily provides long term home loans for purchase / construction / renovation
of houses and operates in 11 states through its 194 branches.
Architexturez South Asia
Architexturez South Asia since 1999, aggregates ideas and
propositions concerning physical space and the related disciplines in the
subcontinent. It documents processes, critical texts and nomothetic cases
representing conditions obtained in South Asia.
URL: https://architexturez.asia/

26 27
 SPONSOR

On behalf of clients and end-users of Affordable Housing Projects

SUPPORT