Think

Project 3 is a Research Project, the focus of my research is Social Architecture. More specifically Social Architecture in the Third World. This is a massive and complex issue, while architecture remains the core focus, a basic understanding of regulations, beuracracy, best practices, social and cultural significance, government attitude, political willpower, NGOs, philantrophic outreach etc. are all needed to begin to understand the myraid of hurdles blocking equitable shelter from reaching all human beings. To help me, i employed reading a bunch of books, notably Building Brazil, Time Builds, Needs, People Poverty and Shelter, More Than Housing, Spatial Agency and many more (not to flex, but I am somewhat of an expert now) and i fell into a rabbit hole researching various movers in this space, from the likes of Francis Kere, BV Doshi, Yasmeen Lari and also architects in the First world such as Peter Barber and Neave Brown. That is a lot of research... Moving forward this project focuses on understanding the social qualities of social housing in the Third world, and to absorb reflect and digest what they can teach us, instead of how we can help them. This research project focuses on 3 distinct sites and case studies, 1. Previ in Lima. 2. Alexandra Road in London. 3.

Architect Peter Land organised the PREVI project. In it 12 typologies were implemented focusing on Low cost, incremental housing for their residents. This project developed into amatured, well diversified neighbourhood and is a case study for social housing done right.

Daniel Soh . 22087532

MSA Stage 1 2022 - 2023

Alexandra Road social housing estate was designed by the late Neave Brown. At the time of construction people hated the brutalistic nature of this concept. Preference slowly moved towards housing blocks. Under Margret Thatcher the UK’s social housing programme accerlerated in the devline. Neave Brown’s work stood the test of time, although controversial, some ideals have been fundemental to future social housing projects.

Alexandra Road Social Housing Project London, UK

The Stepped Facade Creates Balconies for residents to overlook the street, this could have been to spark spontanious social interaction or create a semi-outdoor space within the flat. The Emphasis on the street is also highlighted with the stepped facade.

Images taken from https://www.cktravels.com/alexandra-ainsworth-brutalist-estate-london/

Daniel Soh . 22087532 MSA

- 2023

Daniel Soh . 22087532

In Studying the different typologies of houses, the one thing that stood out was the heirachy of spaces, with social spaces clustered to the front or bottom. It was always the furthest point from the entrance not by distance but by circulation.

Last but not least, i investigated Dharavi in Mumbai, Home of Slumdog Millionare (classic) and countless attempts to tear down this informal settlement. Recent upgrading works are spear headed by the Adani Group. The fate of the residents and craftsmen of Dharavi hangs in a perpetual state of uncertainty. Every top down attempt to formalise this space will be perceived as hostile. Instead i want to understand why does Dharavi exist and how does it function as a city within a city.

Apprx Scale 1: 25,000

Data retrieved from report ReDharavi by Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi from the Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies,

Dharavi along with the greater Mumbai area started of as a fishing village in the 1800s. Dharavi was one of many neighbourhoods at the time welcoming a large wave of migrants both from abroad and from the surrounding countryside. Over time there is a southwards shift and anchoring of Dharavi within the crossroads of mumbai. Making itself central to the city and the city to it. While land around dharavi has been slowly bought by private landowners Dharavi remained untouched. I Argue that Dharavi shapes Mumbai as a focal point and an indespensible labour pool of hardworking migrants.

Data retrieved from report ReDharavi by Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi from the Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies,

SRA Buildings

Private Land

Nagars

Residential

Co-operative houses Communal space

Commercial Ambiguos Clusters

The Street like Alexandra Road Estate is central to life, social and economic devices in an informal settlement. Incurssions into this space shows a willingness to connect

Images taken from https://theconversation.com/ slum-health-is-not-urbanhealth-why-we-must-distinguish-between-the-two-69939 https://www.outlookindia.com/ website/story/opinion-covid19-are-slums-in-india-conducive-for-the-outbreak/354972

Daniel Soh . 22087532

MSA Stage 1 2022 - 2023

Dharavi Informal Settlement Mumbai, India

Stages of Upgrading in a Informal Settlement

The limiting factor in upgrading ones house is more often than not the lack of funds. This diagram shows how families in the process of upgrading their homes use stores as a means to double the space within their house to generate income till they transcent or diversify hheir income away from their homes and can reclaim back that space for residential acitivities. House upgrades also cost incrementally less as they near peak ‘Pucca’ as at that stage families might want to move out of the informal settlement.

Stage 1: Pucca Pro Max: Cost 5000 GBP

Stage 1: Ultra Pucca: Cost 4500 GBP

Stage 1: Mega Pucca: Cost 4000 GBP

Stage 1: Bigger Pucca: Cost 2000-3000 GBP

Stage 1: Pucca: Cost 1800-2000 GBP

Stage 1: Pucca: Cost 1600-1800 GBP

Stage 1: Semi-Pucca: Cost 1000-1400 GBP

Stage 1: Semi-Pucca: Cost 300-400 GBP

Stage 1: Kuccha: Cost 65-90 GBP

(Top) Shows a perspective view of a informal settlement. In this sketch, the community is a place where amenities, space and utilities are shared. Residents cluster around access and resources. The scarcity of resouces help bring people together. Their community is accepting of all levels of economic mobility.

(Right) Section through Dharavi visualised, communities work together, craftsmen consolidate and spaces are used multifunctionally.

In Conclusion, after a sh*t load of research, i concur that the metaphysical systems of an informal settlement lies in the people and how the use, interact, shape, borrow, collaborate, innovate, utilise the space, materials and resources in their vicinity. A world seemingly without rules is bound by rules nonetheless, not thought out but rather a grassroot programmatic negotiation with the world around them. I believe we have so much to learn from these overworked craftsmen and their families in Dharavi, to formalise the space would be an insult to the social fabric they have created and a projection of an architect’s ego and “need” to intervene.