Agarwal Residence

Agarwal Residence

by | Jan 7, 2021 | Architecture, Architecture Residence

Agarwal Residence

Located in Aamby valley, Lonavala, this vacation home for Mr. Agarwal comprises three storeys with large glass openings and cantilevered decks towards the views. A sloping hillside abutting the building was held back by a three-storey-high retaining wall forming the back wall of the building. Skylights separate the retaining wall from the main building, giving it a cathedral lighting effect. The materials used are white stucco plaster with wooden louvers and large glazed openings. A double-height living room with floating glass bridge bathe this residence with diffused day lighting.

Chordia Residence

Chordia Residence

by | Jan 7, 2019 | Architecture, Architecture Residence

Chordia Residence

At approximately 3,500 SF, and located on a private, half-acre valley view site, Chordia Residence is a one-storey, wood and glass structure, capturing a 180-degree vista of the sprawling valley. A vacation house for Mr. & Mrs. Chordia of Panchshil group, the residence is designed as a leisure home with infinity pool, large lounge deck, and outdoor firepits. The materials employed are glass, wood cladding on metal, and zinc roofs, chosen to cater to the location and dictate the style of the house. Sun, wind, and rainfall were calculated while designing this sustainable house on a steep hillside lot.

Container Skyscraper

Container Skyscraper

by | Jan 7, 2018 | Architecture, Architecture Residence, Prefab, Prefab Shipping modular

Container Skyscraper

This is a proposal for an international competition called “Superskyscrapers”. The competition brief demanded exploring the possibility of a temporary adequate housing solution for dwellers of the densely populated Dharavi Slum in Mumbai, India, using used-shipping containers as building modules.

Our concept is about stacking containers 10 storeys high keeping in mind its modular character which can be repeated several times. The steel skin itself takes the load like a “Monocoque” structure thus cutting costs for additional columns or beams. The design of a 100 M tall high rise structure (approx. 32 storeys) calls for erecting portal frames connected with steel girders placed every 8 storeys and this module repeats vertically.
Each apartment is made up of 3 standard sizes (40’ Long X 8’6” High X 8’ Wide) containers. The plan is staggered to create an aesthetic and for ergonomic purposes. The floor above cantilevers over the floor below to create a covered corridor. The sides of the portal carry solar panels on the west side and micro wind turbines on the east side for hybrid cogeneration of electricity. The corridors are lined with screens made out of recycled terracotta jalis which are made locally in Dharavi at Kumbharwada (Potter’s community). Thus, the goal of the container skyscraper was to make it truly affordable and sustainable. The proposal has won first prize in the competition.