Re-Imagining Housing through Everyday Infrastructures: A Low Income Housing In Mumbai That Integrates Technology & Sociality For An Inclusive & Democratic Space For Living | Architecture Thesis

Site Context

Around forty years ago, MHADA reclaimed marshy land at Cuffe Parade in Colaba, facing the Arabian Sea, to develop housing for residents of old, fire-prone, and structurally unsound buildings in the area. This initiative resulted in the phased construction of 46 ground-plus-one (G+1) chawls intended to provide safer living conditions.

Over the years, however, these chawls fell into disrepair, prompting the need for redevelopment. In the last decade, Plot 97C has undergone significant transformation. The redevelopment plan divided the land into two sections: Plot 2 was allocated for Lower Income Group (LIG) housing and Plot 1 for Higher Income Group (HIG) housing. In 2010, the first phase of chawl demolition began, followed by the construction of a transit camp. By 2011, more chawls were demolished, and residents were moved into the new transit facility.

The site selected for this design intervention is the MHADA Transit Colony located in Cuffe Parade, Mumbai. The chawls on the far right of the site are yet to be redeveloped as per MHADA’s master layout. The focus area for intervention is the zone highlighted in green, encompassing both the remaining chawls and the transit camp.

The narrative drawing aims to map and interpret the dynamics at play on this site. A recurring theme emerging from these narratives is that, for many residents, social connections are deeply rooted in the rhythms of daily household work.

Design Process

The design process began at the intimate scale of the individual home, with a focus on how each unit transitions between private and semi-private spaces. A key new feature introduced in the housing unit is the washing balcony. This seemingly modest addition allows the kitchen and bathroom to expand outward, providing a more spacious and comfortable environment for daily household chores.

Additionally, situating water and drainage pipelines within these washing balconies creates a more dignified and accessible workspace for maintenance staff.

Building upon this individual unit, the design evolved into a cluster by rotating and repeating the house layout twice, forming a group of three units. The logic behind this rotation ensures that the kitchens of all three homes open toward a shared corridor, while their adjacent washing balconies maintain lines of sight—fostering subtle visual interactions during everyday activities.

Final Outcome

Expanding on this cluster concept, a larger housing scheme was developed. The layout of the buildings is informed by the idea of ‘Service Courtyards.’ Here, groups of two to three buildings share common compost gardens. These spaces utilize household organic waste to support kitchen gardens, which not only extend the living space but also serve as tranquil communal areas for residents.

The sectional drawings offer a comprehensive understanding of the architectural form, illustrating how the design of corridors and overlooking workspaces encourages informal social interactions centered around infrastructure. These everyday exchanges are further explored and illustrated through a fictional narrative.

The traditional notion of a ‘Leisure Courtyard’ is reimagined as a ‘Service Courtyard’—a space animated by everyday infrastructure that nurtures care, collaboration, and inclusivity through routine activities.

Conclusion: Ultimately, this mass housing scheme—reframed through the lens of everyday infrastructures—cultivates a more inclusive and democratic environment for living and working. In doing so, it challenges prevailing societal norms and daily practices, particularly through the lens of class and social difference.

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