Vigneswar Vasulingam Sivanesan Is Honored with the Bronze A' Design Award for Radiance Iris Social Housing Complex in Architecture, Building and Structure Design

The Work

Project

Radiance Iris Social Housing Complex

Function

Social Housing Complex

Category

Architecture, Building and Structure Design

Discipline

Spatial Design

Industry

Architecture

Colors

Sky Blue, Light Steel Blue, Cornflower Blue, Silver and Dark Slate Gray

Images

5

Client

Architecture plus Value

The Recognition

Laureate

Vigneswar Vasulingam Sivanesan

Country

India

Recognition

Bronze A' Design Award

Edition

2019 - 2020

Design ID

#102862

Credits

Team

Vigneswar V S and Swathi Kunimbedu

Image Credits

Photographer Binsan Oommen Baby

Design Details

Unique Properties

Iris has uplifted many families by being an affordable, green and community based social housing complex. Built on a large expensive plot within urbanity, it achieves the mandated density for affordability, and provides a high quality of life. The design provides abundant natural light and ventilation in each home without compromising on privacy. Social spaces were carved out within the individual row-houses in the form of shared courtyards, a semi-open vertical clubhouse and two open parks.

Inspiration

Mass Housing is the need of the hour in the Indias fastest growing city, Bengaluru. Within an urban concrete-jungle, Iris seeks to be a green refuge from the ever-growing pressures of development. We had to achieve this within the housing market pressures to make the project affordable. Iris focuses on a community centred design incorporating natural vegetation and social spaces which simultaneously achieves the major challenge of high built-up area and low selling price.

Research

Detailed research was carried out to in the city to make the design commercially successful. The research focused on what makes a successful home. Detailed studies and simulations were done to understand how to maximise natural light and ventilation inside each home. Land usage was critical for achieving the high built area. Existing trees were mapped and the buildings were planned around them to preserve the native vegetation.

Challenge

Negotiating with the real-estate developer and achieving a good community based green-design was the hardest part. Developers focus on maximum profit whereas the Architect has to achieve this by designing the best possible combination of units which offers the best possible quality of life to the users. The weight of the success or failure of the project lies on the shoulders of the designers and we are glad to have succeeded

Realization and Technology

Iris was a low-cost project. Hence economy of construction was essential. Conventional earthquake resistant R.C.C framed structure were infilled with light-weight autoclaved blocks. The Ground floor was recessed and clad with quarry waste slate stone to provide a tactile feel. The first floor cantilevers as a white mass shading the ground floor. The second floor has a terrace steel-pergola providing a light feel. Each floor expresses itself amongst the built composition.

Operation and Interaction

Iris is a series of row-houses planned along a central spine path with ten branches. Each branch is a common courtyard shared by 6 homes forming a micro community. Each home has a private garden with mature trees. Services are clubbed along the shared walls to minimise costs and hide it from view. The community club-house sits at the head of the spine near the road. The tail-end is a large open park with an amphitheatre and play areas.

Project Duration and Location

The planning of the project started in early 2016. Government approval for social housing in India is a difficult process and approvals were granted to begin construction by mid-2017. The project was completed in December 2019. Iris is located in Jakkur, North Bangalore. It is a densely built premium residential neighbourhood in the city. The project has received the Green-rating from the Indian green building council as a Sustainable housing complex.

Specifications

Iris was built on a large 17000 sq-m site with many mature trees. 90 percent of the existing trees on site were preserved through careful planning. The project achieved a built up area of 25000 sq-m to be financially viable. It has 77 row-houses planned around shared courtyards. There are 6 types of units ranging from 160 sq-m to 250 sq-m. A semi-open 1400 sq-m community clubhouse was planned at the entrance with a steel parasol providing shaded terraces for recreation.

Keywords

Social housing, White, Stone, Community, Banquet Hall, Bangalore, Bengaluru, Steel pergola, Shared courtyards, Green building