Community Design Agency Mumbai
Community Design Agency (CDA) is an organisation of architects, engineers, artists, designers, community advocates, and business professionals who work alongside communities on the margins, addressing cultural and societal inequalities through the built environment. Community Design Agency is supported by Curry Stone Foundation (CSF), a US-based organisation.
2020 - 2022
Role - Senior Architect
Sanjaynagar Slum Redevelopment Project Ahmednagar (Maharashtra)
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Site area - 8427 sq. m (2.08 acres)
Total Built up - 12890 sq.m (1,38,748 sq.ft)
Phase 1 Built up - 1432 sq.m (15,515 sq.ft )
The redevelopment plan is organised around a series of courtyards which also includes a central open area with communal spaces catering to all residents. A total of 298 units organised in eight G+2 buildings, each with varying number of units allowing for flexibility of the unit combinations.
A concentrated effort has been made to include the community at every stage of planning and implementation stage in collaboration with local social partner, Snehalaya. The Sanjaynagar slum redevelopment project is supported by Curry Stone Foundation subsidized by Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Thirty three families have now moved to their homes after the completion of Phase 1.
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https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/in-ahmednagar-residents-of-a-slum-design-their-own-homes/
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https://www.fastcompany.com/90739672/how-residents-of-a-slum-in-india-redesigned-their-neighborhood
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Rakhalia Facilities
near Bhuj, Kutch,(Gujarat) ​
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Rakhalias are the caretakers of Chadva Rakhal which is a protected forest reserve 15kms away from Bhuj, in Kutch District (Gujarat). They have been living here for generations in their vernacular ‘Bhunga‘ house typology. The facilities that needed to be added were toilets, clothes & utensil washing facilities for Rakhalias along with a public toilet for tourists.
The public toilet faces the west with access from the parking area while the Rakhalia facilities are within the enclosure wall facing their living areas to maintain privacy of activities. The design intervention was done keeping in mind the existing structures, topography and vernacular building practices.