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THE CASE OF KATHPUTLI COLONY
+ Academic Work | B.Arch V | Undergraduate Design Thesis
+ Prof. Niraj Naik
Kathputli Colony is among the first in-situ rehabilitation project announced in Delhi Master Plan 2021 under Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY). According to Delhi Development Authority- DDA’s plan, the current residents of the settlement would be temporarily relocated to a transit camp for the duration of construction and through Public Private Partnership, DDA will develop 2800 flats for the artist families.
Home to a vibrant community of puppeteers and performers- Kathputli has long been the object of fascination for tourists. “You’ll find magic in the Kathputli Slum.” TIME magazine reported in 2008. Adjacent to the Shadipur metro station of Blue Line, Kathputli Colony’s vast sprawl currently occupies valuable real estate in Central Delhi. The rehabilitation project offers developers to opportunity to consolidate Kathputli’s residents into sustainable housing and allowing developer to use a section of the site for commercial gain.
The approach to the built form is derived through a movement that has a notion of public to private with all those happening activities around it. These activities are such which is presently associated as a part of their art and culture. Initial decision for the building height to accommodate such high density population is critically analysed. The factor of their monthly income is considered which is not more than 5000/- INR, option of the high rise structure of 25 story is not an ideal solution as the mechanical cost and maintenance cost would not be affordable. So, the idea was what if building is placed horizontally and achieves the minimum building height.
Fenestration was designed with the recessed opening that helps in creating weather shade as well as storage space below the sill and above the lintel. Total 9 types of units were assembled and placed in such a way that generates interesting play of solid and voids. The idea was to create a pure geometrical object standing independently against the contrasting background. The proposal provides an uneasy sense of intimacy though no one is directly connected; their presence within the structure cannot be completely ruled out from obvious indicators like unique colored surfaces or unique artifacts hanging at the balconies.
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