As the housing quarters for the workers and staff of Jindal Steel, in Samagoga, Kutch, was to adjoin the plant, we proposed an introverted plan for the residential space. This helped us to create a peaceful, green world within the residential area and thus emphasize its emotional separateness.  

At the heart of this plan are the green spaces, playgrounds, parks and courtyards that weave into the architectural fabric and are interlinked in a manner as to encourage the experience of openness and sharing. Thus houses are clustered around courtyards that open onto neighbourhood courtyards and then onto the town square.

As in the case of our design for Adani housing also in Kutch, we have used the verandahs with ‘jalis’ as the intermediate space, insulating the inner rooms from the high glare and summer heat. In effect they work like filters, substantially cutting the heat, light and dust during the day while allowing the residents to keep a window or two open to let the house breathe through these ‘jalis’ in the verandahs.

In the evenings, when the sun sets and the temperature comes down, the doors and windows can all be opened. The verandahs now become extensions of the living and dining rooms and the entire space transforms into wonderful family sit-outs that open onto the courtyard.

The verandah, which was a very important feature of traditional Indian houses, was lost in the modern day private apartment blocks that boxed in each individual flat. The designs tended to ignore the climatic conditions and the local neighbourhood culture. In our designs of modern houses and mass housing, we have attempted to revive the verandahs as intermediate, semi-open spaces that link to the open courtyards and the surrounding open greens.

Client: Jindal Saw & Pipe Ltd.
Area: 20 Acres (400 Housing Units),
Cost: Rs. 1500 Lac
Consultants: Mahimtura Consultants, Sheth Techno Consultants
Period of Construction: 2005-2007
Supporting Architects: Sanjeev Karekar (Associate), Milind Khare