ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGN STUDIO
Debangan Chanda
A92204023011
B.Arch. Sem 5
2023-2028
Aranya Low-
cost Housing
by BV Doshi
Site Analysis –
Description
Site analysis is the process of studying
and understanding the physical,
environmental, social, and legal
characteristics of a site before beginning a
design. It helps in making informed
decisions about the building orientation,
form, function, and sustainability. Key
aspects include location, climate,
topography, vegetation, access,
infrastructure, and legal constraints.
Location
• City: Indore
• State: Madhya Pradesh
• Country: India
• Coordinates: Approximately 22.7196° N, 75.8577°
E
• Site Address: Near Airport Road, Indore
Architect: Ar. B.V. Doshi
Site Area
• Total Land Area: approx. 860,000 sq .m
• Total Plots Provided: ~6500 plots
• Population Capacity: ~60,000 residents
Sun path in
Indore
1. Summer Solstice Path (Upper Arc)
• The sun rises in the northeast and sets in the northwest
• It takes a long, high path across the sky
• At noon, the sun reaches a high angle – around 67.3°
• This means more direct sunlight and hotter temperatures
2. Winter Solstice Path (Lower Arc)
• The sun rises southeast and sets southwest
• The path is shorter and lower
• At noon, the sun’s height is only 43°
• This means less intense sunlight and shorter days
OBJECTIVES OF THE
PROJECT
• Provide affordable, serviced
housing plots for the
economically weaker sections
(EWS).
• Encourage incremental
housing – allowing users to build
and expand their homes over
time.
• Create integrated, inclusive,
and self-sustaining
neighborhoods.
• Demonstrate a replicable
model for urban affordable
housing in India.
PLANNING CONCEPTS
a. Incremental Development
• Core idea: Let residents customize and expand homes based
on their means and needs.
• Only the plinth and basic services (toilet, water, electricity)
were provided initially.
• Residents could build vertically or horizontally over time.
b. Cluster-Based Planning
• Units arranged in neighborhood clusters of 10–20 houses.
• Each cluster had shared open spaces, fostering community
interaction.
c. Street Hierarchy
• 6 levels of streets: from wide access roads to narrow lanes.
• Streets were multi-functional: for walking, playing, socializing,
and services.
d. Mixed-Income Integration
• Plots of various sizes (18 to 240 sqm) were allocated to
different income groups.
• Ensured social diversity and balance.
Zoning:
This colored map shows zoning by land use — how space is distributed for different functions:
• Orange areas → Residential zones
These are the housing plots for people (LIG, EWS). Notice how they are placed in sectors — six total clusters.
• Blue areas → Commercial zones
These include markets, shops, services, town center, and spine. Centrally located for easy access from all sectors.
•The central core holds community facilities, such as:
• Schools
• Health clinics
• Shops
• Parks
•The layout allows walkability and proximity to daily needs, promoting self-sustainability.
Planning: Stages of development
Planning: Distribution of amenities
Planning: Road Network
Planning: Circulation Network
Planning: Circulation Network
Planning: Hierarchy of Open Spaces
Incremental Growth
Planning: House Types
Climate Responsive Planning:
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
a. Materiality and Construction
•Locally available, low-cost materials (brick, concrete, stone).
•Emphasis on modular design, affordability, and thermal
comfort.
b. Flexibility in Built Form
•No fixed facade or form.
•Homes evolved based on users' resources, culture, and
lifestyle.
c. Open Spaces
•Every neighborhood cluster had courtyards, parks, and social
spaces.
•Central spine had larger community spaces: schools, markets,
clinics.
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY OF
B.V. DOSHI
“The poor do not need charity. They need an
environment that can support their
energies.”
• He saw the city as a “living organism”
that must grow with its people.
• Inspired by traditional Indian
settlements and vernacular urbanism.
• Prioritized human-scale, participatory
design, and contextual responsiveness
Inadequate
enforcement of Need for upgraded
CHALLENGES building regulations led services due to
AND CRITICISMS to some haphazard population growth.
growth.
Not all families could
Some public spaces
afford even
were encroached or
incremental
underutilized.
construction.
LESSONS FOR URBAN DESIGNERS
•The power of participatory planning and user agency.
•Urban solutions must be adaptive, contextual, and
inclusive.
•Affordable doesn’t mean low quality – it's about giving
tools, not charity.
•Integration of open space, infrastructure, and human activity
is key.
