Introduction:
Pune is one of the fastest urbanizing cities in India due to rapid increase in population and migration of people from varied cultural backgrounds. Here, the potential residents vary from a group of individuals to a nuclear family sharing a unit with more room in lesser affordable carpet area. Financial crunches and Property rate hike are the factors which governs the market demand resulting in high density housing characterized by towers of repetitive units with poor habitable space.
Considering the above parameters and clients financial aspects, Zephyr provides humane habitable space rooted in culture and sensitive to climate considering the diverse and dynamic needs of the users with a carpet area of 90 Sq.m.
Site Description:
The site is surrounded by high rise apartments with a plot of 1800 Sq.m. oddly L shaped with a combination of square shape appropriate for apartment on south west and long rectangular strip for clubhouse in north east.
Design:
Surrounded by high-rise building from three sides, low rise development would have struggled for light and ventilation. Further the odd shaped site would not allow the horizontal spanning of building, so zephyr happened to be 11 storied high rise building. The building is divided into north and south block to achieve light, ventilation and view from all sides connected with service core at the centre. South block is further tilted to catch and create south- west wind pressure. The open terrace of each unit maintains the cross ventilation and connectivity with other units of the block. Each unit has toilet ducts and dry balcony on east- west facade to provide thermal barrier and windows on north –south for ventilation to primary habitable spaces.
Screen:
The two blocks have perforated concrete screen that protects from sun, rain and traffic noise and gives a homogeneous appearance to the building.
window:
The staggered angular windows of each unit open in the direction for south wind maintaining privacy from the opposite unit. Each bedroom has ribbon window providing panoramic view with low lintel for optimum light without glare. The perforation varies with respect to the space and its usability with privacy, maintaining thermal comfort to the users.
Structure:
To attain Design flexibilities, closely space Grid of 200mm used as the module for entire construction. RCC Framed structure with beamless filler slab has been used that creates free-flowing spaces. A cavity concrete block of size 400x200x150mm, locally made on site becomes the filler which allows a beam less soffit and to incorporate concealed light fixtures. Thermal insulation, weight reduction, and the most important appropriate design contribute to cost efficiency and high quality structure in county like India.
All internal walls are constructed in Ferro-cement of 50mm thickness to get maximum space and easy execution.
Clubhouse:
The Clubhouse is designed with the Indian traditional concept ‘Devrai’ of retaining trees around 100m radius of religious space allows ecological conservation. This narrow plot of 12m width and 64m length drove us to create a brick structure that evolves from ground to subdue its existence on site. The roof garden shelters a layer of spaces merging through parallel walls with brick arches along courtyards and water bodies merging with thick plantation creating a habitat for the users.
Drawings:
Project name : Zephyr
Architecture firm : PMA madhushala
Builder / owner – Akash Mehta
Design team : Prasanna Morey, Divya Jyoti, Darshan Phalak
Built area : 3600 sq.m
Photographer : Hemant Patil
