intro
Situated on an undulating site in the deserts of Ras, Rajasthan, India, Studios 18 apartments
are a part of an entire layout spread over 36 acres. With no buildings or development in the
vicinity, this layout is being created for the working people of a new cement manufacturing
plant that has commenced production nearby.
The design program included the construction of 2- and 3-bedroom apartments; for the
office personnel and visitors of the cement factory in the vicinity.
context
Close to the site there is no existing development and there are four villages at a distance of
1 km from the site.
Studios 18 is a housing project, which quite apparently ‘responds’ to the desert terrain and the
climate and culture of the place! contextually designed housing project is sustainable by its
design adhering to the existing contours, the buildings’s orientation to reduce heat gain, its
facilitation of natural light and ventilation despite cutting off glare, and its low-rise profile.
concept
The design of the cluster of blocks with a total of 18 studio apartments takes a cue from
the organic layouts of the neighbouring villages near the site, with the residential units
interspersed within the existing contours along organic streets that weave through the
site. Much like old Indian cities, the layout sees the low-rise blocks stepping back and
creating interlocked built volumes across three levels.
Site plan
The 18 residential apartments follow the organic nature of old Indian cities with houses
stepping back and creating interlocked built volumes across three levels. A 4M contour
difference is negotiated by the building levels stepping down accordingly.
Climate
In response to the hot arid climate prevalent in the location of 8 months of summer and
temperatures in excess of 35°c, the apartments are all oriented towards the north, north east
and northwest with no apartment facing the south.
it is also imperative that the architecture of the region is designed to be empathetic to the
climate!
Design
The low rise design allows the residents of studios 18 to be close to the ground level akin to
living in individual houses.
Circulation
The linear corridors provide a cool ventilated sheltered walkway between the apartments
allowing residents to glimpse landscaped spaces on either side while walking through and
making the circulation an interesting experience.
Ventilation
Each apartment too is cross-ventilated with deep recessed windows and open-to-sky terraces –
all significant passive cooling techniques seen in the erstwhile architecture of the region too.
The circulation spaces connecting the housing blocks are naturally ventilated with an abstract
composition of square punctuations on either side facilitating air to move through. The harsh
glare of the sun is cut off; yet allowing natural light within the linear corridors, and creating
different patterns at different times of the day.
massing
Colour scheme
Color acts as an integral parameter in differentiating volumes as well as identifying circulation
spaces interestingly while alluding to the colors of the region. In Rajasthan colour plays an
important role in the lives of the people who wear bright colours daily. As if to compensate for
the miles of arid, sandy terrain they see around them, They wear brightly coloured clothes
and chunky jewelry, create wondrously colourful quilts and rugs, make ‘signature’ blue pottery
and use myriad colours of ceramic, fabric and wooden artifacts to accessorize their homes!
Most cities in the State are identified by a colour too. Jodhpur in Rajasthan is known as the
blue city with traditional homes in hues of blue lime plaster, Jaisalmer is known as the yellow
city for its traditional houses being built in yellow sandstone, Jaipur is the pink city for its pink
sandstone architecture! Thus, the colour scheme chosen for buildings built today must
respect the regional context in terms of colour too. The colour palette used is the most
significant part of its visual impact. The deconstructed cubes sport varied hues of the sandy
region, at different times of the day – visually differentiating the stepped, recessed volumes as
well as identifying circulation spaces. With lighter hues on external walls to reflect heat off the
surfaces, and darker tones indoors to create a cooler feel, they add impact to the highly
‘responsive’ design solution.
Landscape / Sustainability
While landscaping the area around the development, a lot of green spaces have been planned,
to provide relief from the sandy outdoors.
The fundamental principle of sustainable design extends to the specific site as well. On
the site itself, a 4m level difference is negotiated to maximum benefit – with the building
levels stepping down in tandem with the contours.
