Yamuna Apartments

(Alaknanda)

Location

Accessibility

Introduction
Yamuna apartments belong to a group housing society, which has been
designed for the
lower middle income group.
The site allotted for the housing complex was 4.25 acres , but due to
planning regulations , an area measuring 0.5 acres was required to be left
as open space, at the north east corner. The intention of this open space
being , to form a continuous green space with the adjoining residential
complex. The green space has enabled the housing to have a nice
playground.
The pedestrian movement is along four radial galis where children can
play undisturbed by the vehicular traffic . Plants planted along the side of
the gali, present a refreshing contrast to the external walls of the unit.

Concept
The design concept however, distinguishes it from other developments in
the city.
This society consists of 200 members, most of which came from south
indian states of kerala , tamil nadu and andhra pradesh , constituted a
fairly cohesive group with specific living requirements. Taking these
factors into consideration , the housing was designed as an integral
community settlement , where the traditional housing elements were
The design concept
revolves
around
a typical
incorporated
to create
an urban
village
in a indian
city. village , with its
lively narrow galis or pedestrian streets , where the womenfolk and
children would pull out their charpai onto the gali , so that they were
able to share experience and converstaion with each other, while
doing their household chores. This has been achieved by a designing a
traffic free complex , where the vehicular traffic is restricted to the
periphery and in the basement.
Galis converge onto an asymmetrically placed central square , which
forms the focus. It is here that the recreational activities have been
placed.

The dwelling units comprise of three basic plan types of

varying floor area , which are grouped together in a
repetitive basis, to form individual housing blocks.

The access staircase leading to the unit takes off from the gali, thus
maintaining a continuity and acting as transitional space , between common
public areas and private areas of each house. It has also enabled residents
to converse with each other and maintain contact with the surroundings
while
work., the indian neighbourhoods are open and privacy is not
Unlikethey
the west
given much importance.
Houses were designed overlooking each others semi private areas. Thus ,
in addition to sharing experiences while the womenfolk performed the
daily chores , it also enabled assistance in the time of an urgency .
In the unit plans , the semi private area or the living room of each unit has
been consciously designed towards the pedestrian spine to enable
communal interaction and acknowledgement of ones neighbours.
The living room has an attached balcony which overlooks the pedestrian
spine. This enables the residents to share and exchange social contact at
various levles, thereby retaining the lively character of the gali.
The private area of the bedrooms are to the rear of the house opening on
to a terrace for sleeping.
According to the norms of the community , the kitchen is condsidered a
holy place and is kept clean, it is for this reason that is has to be kept away
form all normal circulation routes within the house.
The bathroom and kitchen open onto the internal ventilation and light
shaft , on which they are dependent for their light and ventilation.

The recreational
activities are
grouped around
the central
square. The club
is located on the
first floor level
forming a bridge
across two
housing blocks.

A view of the units grouped around

the central space. The open air
stage is in the foreground.

There is an integration of traditional design elements

as balconies for shading the external wall surface ,
courtyards and terraces for outdoor sleeping in
summer , thus establishing a hierarchy of open and
enclosed spaces, private an semi private areas.
The unit plan has opening on two sides , thus
enabling a fair amount of cross ventilation.
Each unit is sheltered on the outside by either a
balcony or terrace The terrace provides a space for
outdoor activities.
Part of the terrace is always open to sky which gives
it an added openess . This has been achieved by
changing the shape of the terrace from square to
rectangular on alternate floors.
The elected framework provides considerable
variation to the faade and a strong geometric
framework.

Built Form

Yamuna apartments are unique in terms of the

volumetric form, owing to the constant staggering
and the breaking up of the facade.
Each made up of 3 types of dwelling units, which
are placed over each other in a way that the built
mass is non- aligned.
Such an arrangement provides optimal mutual
shading, and cuts off the harsh sun.

Pedestrianised Pathways

The shape of the built form gives rise to the

walkways between two blocks, which function
as streets within the society.
These `galis have been completely pedestrian
ized and function beautifully as community
spaces.
They have been broken into levels, given green
pockets, and are so well shaded that one can
easily interact with people without worrying
about hot summer.
Instead of splitting two blocks apart,
these parks bring the two together by
encouraging people to interact and
make it lively.

Community Spaces/ Chowks

Since the entire society was designed like a typical
village, chowks form an integral part of this scheme.
Each pedestrian walkway or `gali leads to one of these
asymmetrical cores or `chowks.
They provide an interesting focal point for daily
activities to place on a larger scale.
One such core doubles up to form a badminton court
and a mini stage area for shows to take place, while
another is merely a courtyard which is shaded by trees
and is broken into levels for people to sit and interact.
These spaces become pivotal in tying the blocks and
paths together.

Green Spaces
There is one major playground tucked further
away into the society.
A small park is situated in one of the chowks
which consists of swings for children and benches
to sit.
Apart from dedicated greens, the pathways are
interspersed with green pockets, planters, trees,
shrubs etc. the most prominent trees are
frangipans, deodar, mango etc. they provide
ample shading and improve the microclimate to a
larger extent.

Parking
Car parking for the houses is limited to the
periphery of the housing and no car can come
through to the internals of the society. Vehicular
movement for every other reason is restricted to
the perimeter as well.

Planning Of The Dwelling Units:

Access staircase.

Each block has a set of external staircases which is used to

access the apartments. The staircase splits into another
staircase as it approaches the doors of the apartment. This
gives the appearance of almost a personalized staircase for
each house, something which is not commonly found in
group housing.

Spatial planning

Each block consists of 2 types of flats, 2 and 3 bedroom

respectively. Examples, flat type 1 has 3 bedrooms, whereas,
flat type 2 has 2. there is a service entrance from the kitchen,
accessed by the same staircase which leads to the guest entry.
The design of every unit is such that the living room opens into
a balcony, which provides a direct visual connection with the
house opposite to it.
Bedrooms opens into a patio/balcony on the backside of the
block, and are adjoined by the balconies of the other houses.
The patio is then half covered by the patio of the floor above it,
which gives it the staggered appearance.
Service shafts:
2 apartment units share 1 common shaft, which is shared by
the living room, kitchen and the bathroom in one unit.

Critical analysis
The sense of community is highly emphasized throughout
the society due to the kind of spaces created, such as, the
open and green spaces at various intervals, placing of the
blocks, and the usage of pedestrianization.
The idea of parking being on the periphery, is very unique,
as the whole colony enjoys a terrific free circulation around
the colony, however, the demand for parking has increased
since the societys conception, creating a shortage of car
space.
There is no apparent use of the basement, with just an
occasional room for various services etc, in a few places,
accessed by ramps.
The external staircase saves a lot of internal space as it cuts
down the need for a core, but, proves to be a problem on
days with heavy rainfall. The fact that residents can see into
each others living rooms creates a sense of safety in times of

 The placement and the size of the internal shaft by two units
not only holds the service lines, but helps in the overall
ventilation of a unit. It can be easily accessed from the
terrace for maintenance. The way, the faade is free of pipes
running on it.
The pebble-dashed facades are an interesting choice, because
they are require little or no maintenance. Extensive greens
combined with such a wall finish gives a natural and earthy
feel to the complex. As a small housing scheme, the complex
is well planned and integrates the concepts of community
livings beautifully. Small spaces are used to the best of their
potential, creating an atmosphere of friendliness and
familiarity.

The open air stage

forms a part of the
recreational facilities
grouped around the
central square.

Units on the ground floor have a

private courtyard which is partly
covered . It forms an important
space for outdoor activities , sitting
out in summer evenings and on cold
wintry days, etc.

The change in the shape of the terrace , from square to

rectangular , on alternate floors provides considerable
variation to the faade and strong geometric frame work.

The external walls finished with stone aggregate which

practically requires no maintenance besides an occasional
washing down with water to remove the dust along with
reinforced concrete bands at terrace levels provide a
refreshing contrast against the landscape.

A typical
pedestrian street
or gali leading to
the central square
with entrance to
the units . Children
can play in the
gali undisturbed
by vehicular
traffic.
The access
staircase in each
block form
important design
elements . They
wind around a
central wall panel ,
but at each half
landing an
independent flight
peels off to lead
directly to the
entrance of the

Each unit has a

courtyard or terrace for
outdoor activities ,
outdoor sleeping, drying
balcony for laundry, etc,
which is partly open to
sky.

Merits
Community spaces like O.A.T, public seating, gardens etc. are
provided.
Water tank orientation with good use of levels.
Neighborhood is maintained.
Better use of sites irregular negative space by providing childrens
play area and gardens there.
Landscaping is used as a very important key feature in complete
design.
Privacy is maintained by providing a small breathing space in every
apartment i.e. in ground floor it is next to main door and in upper floors
it is as balconies.
Two main, three sub and one service Entries are provided for the better
use of spaces.
Non- accessible Terrace gardens are provided to enclosure to the
outer space and at the same time they also gives the view of the open
sky which merges with the landscaping on the upper terrace gardens.

Demerits

Security pipelines are exposed and are running along the window.
Basement is not used for any purpose.
Parking was not made according to the requirement, cars were parked on the
roadside.

The designer has

tried to make the
open spaces face
towards the southern
side to avoid direct
light entering the
The
complex gives a
area.
sense of enclosure.

There are many buffer

zones within the complex
which form the space of
gathering , social
interaction.
35 percent of the total area is the built up area.
There are large open spaces for public use
provided on the periphery of the complex.
The built up area is in staggered form and oriented
in such a way that they form a sense of enclosure
within the complex.
Bey balconies have been provided with the built
units that add to the aesthetics and functionality to 65 percent is open
the built form.
space.