type studio 

the overall objective of the studio is to understand the existing spatial / architectural type in Makunsar, Palghar that has consolidated over years due to reasons of culture, economy and climate, its phenomenological properties, understand the shifts in economy, hierarchies based on caste, gender etc. transformations of house type over years, and the problems and opportunities related to the type.

in conjunction with a study of an institutional type of an old age home, the studio will attempt to readapt the house type for rethinking the institutional type of an old age home.

village map : makunsar village, kelve road, palghar.

settlement studies : ramesh mhatre house (case study)

Ramesh Mhatre, aged 79, and his wife Rashmi Mhatre, aged 54, have been living in their ancestral home since birth. They belong to a Hindi caste and speak Vadval SKP, a language tied closely to their community and cultural identity. Ramesh, now retired, was formerly a farmer and also worked part-time with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), while Rashmi manages the household. Their extended family includes two families living under one roof, totaling eight members, including their three children—Bhupesh, Aditya, and Tanuja—as well as a daughter-in-law and a grandson, Vedant. The original house was a traditional structure with spacious front and back verandahs. Over the years, the home expanded and eventually split into two distinct sections, one of which belongs to Ramesh. Rashmi’s day starts early as she prepares breakfast and tiffins for her children and daughter-in-law, cleans the house, and cooks lunch for Ramesh and Vedant. Her afternoons are spent playing with her grandson and resting with him, while in the evenings, the returning family members share household responsibilities. The front and back verandahs are the most actively used areas, especially by Rashmi, while Ramesh prefers sitting in the front verandah during the day. The bedroom is used the least, reserved only for sleeping at night, highlighting a lifestyle centered around shared and open spaces rather than private rooms 

site map 

व्हरांडा  (verandah) 

the design of this project revolves around the idea of the verandah as a central space for an old age home. Traditionally, older people enjoy spending time socializing and gossiping, often in verandahs. However, during case studies conducted in a village setting, it was observed that verandahs were not being utilized as they should be. This realization led to the design approach of encouraging elderly residents to engage primarily in verandah spaces.

during the case study of the old age home we visited, it was evident that residents were indirectly confined to their respective rooms, limiting their sense of freedom and social interaction. Drawing inspiration from the typologies studied, I particularly liked the multiple openings in single windows and its sill heights. These elements have been integrated into the design. The residential units are designed as modular structures, arranged in a pattern that fosters interaction between different units. The entire structure follows a grid derived from the studied typologies. Different roof heights for verandahs, creates intimate and varied spatial experiences. 

a key feature of the design is a gathering space accessible to villagers, preventing the structure from becoming isolated from the surrounding community. The healthcare clinic is placed near the road to ensure accessibility for both residents and villagers. The facades of the verandahs incorporate louvers, providing a balance between security and porosity, allowing for ventilation and a sense of openness while maintaining privacy.

process

process model 

design drawings 

design model