De-commodifying People: A Transgressive Approach to Social Housing in Mumbai | Architecture Thesis

Site Context

The project is set in Andheri, a thriving suburb in Mumbai, India’s western region that is a hive of residential life, commerce, and culture. With its many corporate offices, business parks, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Andheri East is a major commercial and industrial area that serves as a hub for transportation and the economy. Conversely, Andheri West is characterised by its lively residential areas, diverse population, and booming entertainment scene, which includes shopping avenues, eateries, and entertainment venues. Andheri embodies Mumbai’s cosmopolitan spirit by providing a blend of modern amenities and cultural diversity, and it is well-connected by major highways and the Mumbai Metro.

The chosen SRA proposal lists components for rehabilitation and areas for sale. The proposal outlines which municipal facilities need to be demarcated on the plot. The BMC will subsequently receive these facilities. According to the conventional approach, the scope is restricted to creating isolated elements and physical boundaries. Thus, the project’s goal is to build a more sustainable and inclusive neighbourhood free of standardised architecture and physical borders. The larger scope of the project is also to incorporate spaces that are better placed and designed for small residential spaces.

Design Process

The goal of this project is to establish a framework that will enable architects to actively engage in urban renewal and question traditional norms. It rethinks social housing as an essential part of Mumbai’s urban fabric, bringing it into line with the city’s overall objectives of sustainable development and slum revitalisation. The design creates a sustainable, functional housing node that improves urban mobility through proximity to public transport, whilst integrating social housing into the urban context.

The SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority) proposal includes municipal amenities and mixed-use programs, ensuring a vibrant, active, and diverse development. With a focus on inclusivity and flexibility, the program directly addresses the needs of residents and the site context. Form development places an emphasis on deviating from conventional SRA layouts in order to produce a design that is both playful and harmonious with its context.

The form development process begins with reimagining the conventional SRA housing model to create an inclusive, community-focused urban environment. Taking into account site constraints, such as its proximity to a metro edge and reserved green spaces, the design evolved through a series of iterative strategies. Typical linear blocks were reconfigured into interconnected volumes featuring multiple courtyards to encourage community  interaction. Step-backs were introduced along the metro and road-facing edges, creating terraces and reducing the visual perception of density. Strategic voids were carved out to establish vibrant social spaces, while a pedestrian bridge was added to link the two primary structures, improving accessibility and unity. At the podium level, municipal and recreational amenities were incorporated to meet diverse user needs.

The zoning strategies distinguish areas for slum rehabilitation units (300–350 sq. ft.), sale and rental units, as well as co-working and co-living spaces, ensuring financial viability while promoting social equity. The final massing achieves a balance between density and openness, incorporating rehabilitation housing, student accommodations, and shared amenities. This approach challenges the conventional commodification of housing by prioritizing human needs, encouraging social interaction, and reimagining community living within Mumbai’s dense urban fabric. The project highlights inclusivity, adaptability, and the creation of shared spaces, paving the way for a more equitable and sustainable future.

Final Outcome

The design process introduced a transformative approach to high-rise housing by incorporating “vertical streets” that encourage social interaction and shared spaces. These innovative vertical connectors disrupt the isolation typically associated with conventional high-rises, enabling community living within dense urban environments. Strategically integrated voids enhance natural light, ventilation, and opportunities for social engagement, fostering a stronger sense of connection and belonging among residents.

The project incorporates four distinct unit typologies, varying in size, structure, and customizable façade systems designed to meet individual needs. This flexibility caters to a diverse range of user groups, seamlessly integrating SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority) apartments, sale units, and co-living spaces for students and young professionals. The resulting mix promotes social inclusivity, accommodating different income levels and lifestyles within a unified community.

The dynamic façade design replaces traditional vertical monotony with playful, articulated surfaces, while the creatively flipped building masses form courts and terraces that address site-specific challenges and enhance the urban landscape. By integrating residential, commercial, and municipal functions, the development fosters vibrant public spaces that promote community interaction.

The fair distribution of open green spaces, terraces, and social areas—such as well-placed voids that promote community engagement and connectivity—is a major priority. The project optimises cost, efficiency, and sustainability by utilising cutting-edge construction technologies, such as GFRG panels with structural steel frameworks. This approach matches modern demands by cutting down on construction time and encouraging environmentally friendly methods. This concept for mixed-use, socially inclusive housing provides a scalable model for combining sustainability, mobility, and urban renewal, resulting in a more resilient and equitable city.

Conclusion: Ultimately, the project advocates for a human-centric and inclusive approach to social housing, positioning it as a key driver of urban renewal and sustainable growth. By redefining the role of architects and integrating housing into the urban fabric, the study highlights the potential for slum redevelopment to transform cities like Mumbai. It calls for housing to be recognized as a fundamental right, fostering improved quality of life and equitable urban development.

[This Academic Project has been published with text and images submitted by the student]