42_Esha Waingankar

Design Concept

The design intends to play with layers of space created by different wall heights, shaping a comfortable transition between private and public areas. This idea started from an observation on site, where a wall outside a house turned into a parapet, creating a cozy space to sit. It wasn’t just a barrier—it shaped a small, welcoming area in front and at the back of the house. These lower-height walls created a sense of comfort and acted as transitional, semi-open spaces.

I've carried this observation into my old age home design through the common corridor. It runs through the entire project, connecting all the clusters. The corridor is at a lower height (2.3 meters) than the main living spaces, giving it a cozy, intimate feeling, while still being semi-open. This space acts like a spine, leading into each cluster through the façade or entry of each home, giving a sense of pause before entering the private area.

The second observation came from studying how homes in the village grew over time. A typical layout started with a veranda, then a hall, then bedrooms, followed by the bathroom and kitchen. Extensions around the central space were built later, often at lower heights, creating a layered feeling of enclosure and warmth. This helped shape my L-shaped module, which organizes the veranda, living space, and washroom, and allows spaces to extend in four directions.

Process drawings and model

The L-modules come together to form clusters. The main living spaces are taller (3 meters), while the surrounding veranda and washroom spaces are lower (2.3 meters), helping define the front and backyard of each unit. Every cluster opens up to a shared garden, giving residents the chance to sit on their veranda and look out onto green space. The backyard gives them a private area that can be used as a kitchen garden or quiet retreat.

Final Drawings and Model

The sloping Mangalore tile roof is shaped by the 90-degree walls, where higher walls transition into the lower ones, naturally creating a slope. There’s also a gap above the wall for ventilation, keeping the space airy and comfortable.

This diagram illustrates the spatial hierarchy in my design. The red walls represent the “L” module, which forms the primary living spaces and stands at a height of 3 meters—these are the core areas of the house. In contrast, the black walls, which extend through and around the red ones, are 2.3 meters high and define secondary spaces like the backyard and front yard enclosures. These shorter walls create a more intimate, human-scale experience, making the outdoor spaces feel closer and more comforting. This contrast in height helps emphasize the expansiveness of the main living areas while maintaining a cozy atmosphere in the surrounding zones.

This diagram illustrates the spatial organization of my old-age home, showing the transition from public to private areas. Right beside the entrance are two buildings: the public healthcare center and the staff/admin block, which also includes a guest room. These are the most public functions, which is why they are located at the entrance. Moving inward, the kitchen and dining area form a semi-private zone—used exclusively by the residents of the old-age home. Beyond that are the residential rooms, which are the most private spaces in the layout.

All these clusters are connected by a white-colored corridor, which acts as a shared circulation spine and a common social space accessible to everyone. Attached to this corridor are gardens, shown in green, offering open, relaxing environments for the residents. This sequence—from public to semi-private to private—reflects the core concept of my old-age home, creating a balance between accessibility, comfort, and privacy.

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