KALPANA APARTMENT

AUROVILLE
INTRODUCTION
 The macro plan of Kalpana Housing has been largely impacted by its
location within the larger master plan of Auroville.
 Its location on the Crown which, in the long term is envisaged to be flanked
by public utility buildings(eg. Auroville Library and the Health Centre which
has recently come up on its northern edge and the existing housing on its
southern edge). This would lead the Crown being a pedestrian promenade
with public activity happening both on and across it.
 Kalpana responds by flanking the crown with a colonnade and putting public
functions like offices/boutiques on the ground floor and making the building
pervious for ease and support of the public functions and mixing with the
other housings beyond.
CONTEXT
 The urban design focus necessitated a higher density.
 Kalpana has a 35% ground coverage and a FSI of 0.9. The density which
translated to certain volume of buildings to be spread over the 7000 sqm.,
allowed for the creation of a central landscape area
 The landscape area has many existing trees which also go on to merge with
the now designated dense urban green, east of Vikas and north of
Realization. This will allow integration and community activities apart from
providing shaded paths for cyclists and pedestrians.
 Auroville till now has grown organically, with small very low density
housings spread across the landscape. The guidelines for the development
of Kalpana necessitated apartment like housing, both from the point of view
of density proposed and the urban design form.
FORM
 A flat apartment with long shared walls and/or courtyard housing were two obvious options, but the Kalpana
team decided to explore a form that will have the advantages of apartment housing and yet have the
dwelling, in its form and character, as close to an individual house as was possible.

Being able to enjoy light, breeze and view from

more than two directions was identified as a key difference between apartments and houses.

 The extent of form exploration is more at unit level in an individual house design, than in an apartment
complex where form exploration is dominantly at macro level. In our hot-humid climate, covered verandas
open on three sides with a ceiling fan was seen as a catalyst for good comfortable living mostly enjoyed in
individual houses.
 The Galaxy plan, the houses in Auromodele and a research into the art and minds of the founders of Auroville
lead to the design of the form and its indepth exploration started. What you see is a journey of exploration
with a firm belief in what the Mother has said, "New Consciousness needs New Forms".
 Mulling over these and other considerations and providing for the practical needs of occupants yet giving
them a 'form fillip' was a considered conclusion of the design process. Integration of art as well as 'eco'
measures of using green building techniques, materials and technology was always a given.
 The design process has gone through many reviews by the peers and fellow Aurovillians, we are grateful for
all their very insightful and constructive inputs.
 We invite you to participate in the realizing of Kalpana so that it can support you and the Aurovillians to come
with its 'Commodity' (function), "Firmness' (strength) and 'Delight’ (joy).
SITE LOCATION & DETAILS
• The site for Kalpana is located in Sector 2 of
Residential Zone (Plot 52.35)
• Plot Area: 7046 sq.m.

PROJECT DETAILS
• Built-up Area : Housing 4550 sq.m. + Office
460 sq.m.
• Total : 5010 sq.m.
• Population : Housing 117 + Offices 50 l
• Tota : 167
• Total number of Dwelling Units : 42 (22 in
South Block, 11 in North Block, 9 in East
Block)
SITE
• The form development with
intersecting volumes gives strong light
and shadow pattern in the blocks.
• Coupled with greenery in planters on
the terraces, the form creates a very
pleasant architectural experience.
• The play of solids and voids in the
form reduces the noise level
• as there are no long concave walls
which may cause reflection and
concentration of sound.
• Pedestrian/ bicycle access created
through the site keeping in view the
future planning for the Crown.
• Vehicular access contained in the east
corner of the site.
• Sculptures located in strategic
positions to vitalise the common
• Spaces with art.

Common circulation spaces are amply wide and open up more at the nodes providing spaces for
interaction which are well shaded and ventilated as well as give divergent views.
• All services are organized in shafts
which are accessible from corridors for
ease of maintenance.
• A 4 BHK apartment in the project will
function as the guest house which will
help generate funds which will pay for
the major expenses like the change of
the batteries and the outside
repainting of the buildings.
• The east end of the North Block
culminates into a building which
houses the Kalpana office in the
ground floor and the fitness center
which is available in this project as part
of future sports complex across the
Crown.
• One unit will be provided for the
caretaker who will look after the
technical maintenance and regular
administrative and accounting works.
 BLOCKS
• Every block has a well-defined entrance Court with well identifiable sculpture, benches and plantation for
shade.
• North block specifically relates to the Crown by locating public functions (offices, boutiques and common
washrooms) on the ground floor.
• A linear form (yet a derivative of the generic geometry) and pergola on first floor roof level creates the scale
as envisaged by the urban designers.

North Block ground floor studio units are specially designed for the DIFFERENTLY-ABLED which are
fully accessible and yet compact.
Solar panels have been provided for backup power supply. Maximum numbers have been arranged on staircase roof tops and
the rest on terraces so as to maximize the usable spaces on the terraces.

• Linear form allows for 3 bedroom units on the first floor level to get amazing views.
• One 4 bedroom unit will function as a Guest House.
UNITS
• Living space opening out into a covered verandah to maximize views, natural light andventilation as well as allow for
expansion of personal collective activities to outdoors.
• Kitchen is provided with under-Counter and overhead cabinets along with sink and energy efficient refrigerator.
• Bedrooms with built-in wardrobes and table along with Dressing space with wardrobe
• Utility next to bathroom for storage of brooms/vacuum cleaner etc., as well as drying of dothes well camouflaged from
outside.
• Energy efficient fans and L.E.D. lighting
• Corridors widen at unit's entrance easing out the transition and giving welcoming feel
• Curved walls juxtaposed with straight ones give a feel of spaciousness,
• Material used for walls and roof reduce the heat gain, thus keeping the spaces naturally cool
East Block houses the parking, guard's room and a garbage collection room. The common laundry has
been located so as to make its use convenient on the way in and out.
• Open air theatres at ends of the central greens, connecting the landscape and providing for view points to enjoy the
landscape.
• Swale created through the site to contain the rain water and allow for percolation to the ground
• Small bridges across the swale have been used to add interest to the landscape.