Disaster Resistant

Indigenous Prototype Ar Dipu George

TKM School of Architecture

Monsoon Flood
 Magnitude of Disaster
It is the worst flood in Kerala after the flood that took
place in 1924.

Heavy rains in Wayanad and Idukki have caused

severe landslides and have left the hilly districts
isolated

Over 483 people died, and 14 are missing

According to the Kerala government, one-sixth of the

total population of Kerala had been directly affected
by the floods and related incidents.

The Indian government had declared it a Level 3

Calamity, or "calamity of a severe nature”

A state official told AFP that 370 people have died,

while The Economic Times has reported that 33,000
people have been rescued.

Over 3,274 relief camps have been opened at

various locations to accommodate the flood victims.
It is estimated that 1,247,496 people have found
shelter in such camps.

-The flooding has affected hundreds of villages,

destroyed an estimated 10,000 km (6,200 mi) of
roads and thousands of homes have been damaged
or destroyed
 Project Brief

This project proposal is a design and planned implementation of

post-flood reconstruction houses for flood victims.
It is a sustainable holistic built form which can be built within a
specific time frame on various kinds of soil conditions.

Almost all of Kerala’s 16 districts were severely and

catastrophically affect by the floods caused due to extreme
Monsoon rains in the month of August 2018 and most of Kerala’s
infrastructure and economy suffered irreparable damage.

The House form, plan and building technology aims at being

Sustainable, adopts Indigenous Technology, appropriate for the
regional climate, Eco friendly and helps to improve the living
conditions of the user group. Above all it is is cost effective with
regards to its low construction costs and Time Management
TKMCE, in the aftermath of the
Monsoon Flood has entrusted a
task force based in response to
the letter by the State
Government comprising faculties
from TKMCE and TKMSOA.

They were instructed to study and

design a Low Cost House using
appropriate Technology with the
intention of building it within a
minimum time frame at any
affected site.
The objective is to facilitate the flood victims by constructing a House
which has to be sustainable, should incorporate purely Indigenous
Technology & implement the construction with the minimum time
possible.

To meet this objective, the cost of the project and the speed of
construction was prioritised.

The aim also included maintaining the social and cultural framework of
the focus group (Flood Victims) prior to the monsoons while at the same
time incorporating a system which would improve their present lifestyle
in terms of social hygiene and well being.

The proposed Design also aims at conforming to the Building

Regulations and Mandatory Norms yet delivers in its promise to
improve the living/working conditions of the user group.
The questions arose to the use of appropriate materials and technology to match
the thermal comfort performance of the traditional houses with cost effective, new
materials that would meet sustainable goals.

The Moral responsibility lay in finding a solution to mitigate the climatic changes
in the state due to improper planning and implementation of sustainable
constructions.

Another criteria was to find a solution to and design a typical Built form which can
be built in any given soil conditions.

The preliminary studies highlighted the need to adopt a Passive Solar design
form ( It brings 47% of active energy savings), Interior layout and Design to
improve living conditions of the user group, Use of Pre Fab, Pre Stressed
Technology PSPF ( Cost Effective, Time Saving, minimum wastage and accurate
estimation) , a unique Foundation suitable for various soil conditions.
ecubestructurals.com

Er Eapen George
1)The technology comprising Prestressed Prefab modules (PSPF).

2) The grill foundations can be used in various soil conditions while the
Ballast used for filling the plinth serves as a shock absorber during
earthquake which helps in minimising damage to the structure to a great
extent in case of such worse case scenarios.

3) The Hollow PSPF wall panels also serves as an important element of

heat insulation.
4) The mode of construction is easy to the extent that it can also involve
community participation unlike other mode of constructions like brick
masonry or Compressed Mud Blocks the construction activity can also
involve the community for which the built form is intended for.

5) The prefab technology also ensures Low Embodied Energy

compared to other constructions materials.

6) Wastage on site is minimised and contained.

7) Accurate cost estimations helps in meeting Construction Budget.

8) The Technology developed is purely indigenous and appropriate for

the climatological, social, cultural conditions in the state

9) Being modular it can also be incremental should the user later

decided to modify or expand the dwelling

10) It is cost effective as the firms said the total cost (sans finishes like
floor tile, lighting fixtures, wiring, painting etc) is 1100 Rs/sqft
Option 1
Option 1 consists of a single floor with an area of 52.25 sq m
Option 2
Option 2 consists of a single floor with an area of 57.34 sq m
The design also aims to fulfils significant social and economic improvements. It is
a fact that majority of health related deaths in rural India has been attributed to
poor hygienic conditions in the dwellings and environs. That this house is
designed to ensure cleanliness and hygiene and comfortable (thermal
performance and IEQ) could help the inhabitants to appreciate the houses and
have a sense of attachment to this dwelling.

Rainwater treatment and rainfall

The project can and should involve an efficient water-retention system . At
present the design houses do not feature rainwater gutter in the roof but flood
control gutter and storm drains can and should be constructed in case there is a
colony to be built.

Ageing and maintenance problems

Any social housing project should incorporate measures to mitigate maintenance
problems due to ageing.
Proper use of strictly certified materials in the construction is one method to
extend the lifespan of such houses. Obstacle free layout with provisions for
storage of housing items related to services and
furniture along with good appliances related to lighting and sanitary will also help.
 SECTION
249.3 1 : 100

343.9

332.6

328.6
585
150 285 270 15

68
90

.6

TKM FlOOD REHABILITATION PROJECT

15

15
170

Bedroom 2 Kichen
270

270 x 270 170 x 270

10
585

15

375

Dining
270

Bedroom
270 x 375
270 x 270
60-

Government of Kerala
ELEVATION
15

15

NO SCALE

Toilet
150

Living 150 x 150

OPTION 09
270
285

270 x 270
15

FOR
15

62.5 PROJECT NO:

0000
DATE:
15 105 15 270 15 150 15 Sept 13, 2018

585 90 DRAWN BY:

419.1

471 .6

GJP
488.2
REVIEW ED BY:
DPG

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

1 : 100
18-Sep-18 6:55:57 PM

DESIGN
GROUND FLOOR SKETCH ELEVATION SKETCHES
1 : 100 NO SCALE
AREA STATEMENT

PLINTH AREA : 47.73 SQ.M

01
THIS DRAWING IS A PROPERTY OF GEORGE TEENA & ASSOCIATES. NO PART OF THE SAME SHALL BE COPIED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT PRIOR CONS ENT OF THE ARCHITECT.
Questions
vs
Answers
Engineers, Architects and Developers have explored many alternative
approaches to affordable housing.

Some seek to achieve affordability by reducing the size of the flats,

exploring remote locations so that the land cost is lower and exploring
economies of scale.

Other seek advantages of economies of scale in manufacturing

technology, like prefabrication, supply chain management and so on.
All these are important steps, but are they enough?

Do they really address the problem of ‘affordable housing for all’. None
of them have brought in fresh thinking and promoted innovation in
affordable housing.

Much needed design thinking continue to remain a small voice in these

scheme things.
Are all poor the same?

Do they demand the same design response?

How much are the people for whom we are building, involved in the
process?

There are differentiated nature of their living patterns and user

personas.

Radically new directions of explorations are possible, if we redefine the

problem of affordable housing as one of affordable living.
There have been several schemes like Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojana (now
re-christened Atal Awas Yojana) as part of urban renewal initiatives.
They have shown varying levels of success due to state level and
regional factors.

There are several complex challenges that are faced.

First of course is enormity of the problem. The Government proposes to

build 2 crore pucca affordable houses with toilet and water connections
in urban areas by 2022.

So, the conference initiative of improved technology and management

as well as quicker construction is timely. Obviously, to seek answers in
modular construction and prefabrication is more than justified.

However, equally challenging is the fact that the dwellers in EWS and
LIG segments have very low capacity to contribute financially and most
of the housing shortfall is in these two segments.
People do build, rent and occupy buildings, but later they create a livable
home out of it, that meets their needs, aspirations and dreams

They are emotionally involved in the process of creating a home of their own
from the minimum area that the developer provides.

A home is a cultural artifact. Besides, the idea of home in India is not

restricted to four walls but is closely meshed with creating functional
communities that grow and thrive together. Interestingly, this happens easily
when communities develop through a natural process. Settlements in Dharavi
are a good example of pockets of thriving communities.

If we treat affordable housing issue only as a problem of quicker and

cheaper construction, it will be unfair to the future occupants of millions of
houses that the nation plans to build.

Creating housing is an act of culture and must reflect its aspirations of

lifestyle. It will be unfortunate if we treat it as quick building of
shelters.