Open Ideas National Competition 2022 - Season III

Improving Liveability
of Small Houses
Affordable Housing | Slum Rehabilitation | In-Situ Slum Upgradation

organiser

partner

PUNE METRO
 Contents
• Competition Brief
• Competition Components + Submission Requirements
• Eligibility, Registration, and Awards
• Jury and Judging Criteria
• Context of Housing In India
• Backdrop To Competition
• Competition Partners
Competition Brief
 For registration and more info:
https://www.inhaf.org/open-idea-nation-
al-competition-2022/

Invitation to Participate in a
Pan-India competition, open to:

• Architects & Engineers

• Interior & Furniture Designers
• Planners
• Senior Students of
Architecture & Design
• Non-Governmental
Organizations in the
Settlement Development
Sector
• Designers & Shelter Providers
from the Informal Sector

Launch Date:
12 th Dec 2 022
Registration upto: 28 th Feb 2023
Final Submission: 15 th Mar 2 023
 This competition seeks innovative approaches and solutions
to support public housing agencies and private builders, who
construct thousands of affordable houses or apartments in
Indian cities, by creating designs that ensure:

Sustainable
More liveable Greater
delivery of
and usable Better social aesthetic
services
space for interaction and sensitivity in
like water,
cramped, small community life buildings that
electricity, solid
houses for the among them shape the new
waste disposal,
resident families urban landscape
etc

This competition seeks to address the challenges faced in the supply of

liveable yet affordable houses in India. Innovations are sought to deliver:

Better Designed Small Houses

Better Functioning Buildings with Sustainable Services
and Green Building Parameters
Better Relating Neighbourhoods
Better Managed Community Spaces
for Community living
Better Functioning Cities

New ideas and Innovations For Small yet

Better Designed . Better Functioning . Better Evolved
. Socially and Psychologically Better . Sustainable and Green
Housing

Your design interventions could change the way these

families live, children grow, homes function,
buildings look, and cities develop
Competition Components and
Submission Requirements
Project Selection:
The projects to be selected for the competition could be of
any one of the following three options:

1 2 3
Improving Improving project Improving project
liveability and design/ planning/ design/ planning/
redesigning an financing/ financing/
existing small implementation implementation
apartment of an In-situ of a Slum
housing Slum Upgradation Rehabilitation
under affordable Project Project
housing schemes by a Public by a Public
or similar housing Authority/ Non- Authority/ Non-
projects (public or Profit/ Professional Profit/ Professional
private) agency agency

Conditions for the selection of the project include: All the givens of the selected live project
• An urban location are to be taken as givens such as:
• More than 300 units • The site (location, size, dimensions,
• Under Affordable housing category conditions, neighborhood, etc.)
• Approved by the competent authority or • Local building byelaws of the city/
submitted for approval state
• Under construction or ready to begin • Unit area and percentage size mix, if
construction any
• OR Completed and occupied in the last two • Clients or dummy clients (if not
years identified)
The participant should obtain the required permission and details of such a project from the owner, manager, or agency.
The sponsors of the competition will issue a letter of introduction and recommendation if required.
Competition Components:

A SWOT Analysis
of an existing
project and
present its
SWOT merits and
ANALYSIS demerits.

B
This competition New
requires participants
alternative
to work on all of
design of
the following four
the selected
components with
respect to the REDESIGN project
selected project

C Changes in
building byelaws
required to
implement
REGULATIONS suggested
new design

D Two case studies

of innovations
and “people
solutions” in space
CASE enhancement in
STUDIES existing houses and
buildings
A SWOT Analysis of
Selected Project

I. SWOT Analysis of
PRESENTATION OF SWOT ANALYSIS

a selected existing
project.
II. SWOT Analysis
to include multiple
parameters like density,
cost, material, context,
sustainability, etc. for
the selected project.

SUBMISSION FORMAT
ONE A2 sheet that covers SWOT
analysis of the existing project
B Redesign of
Selected Project

I. All details of the

PRESENTATION OF NEW DESIGN

newly formulated
project, including
drawings, sketches,
perspectives, photos
of models, renders,
etc. that adequately
communicate the new
design

II. Ideas and proposals

on sustainable building
with
• cost reduction
• participatory design
• service efficiency
• community living
SUBMISSION FORMAT
• sustainable
FIVE A2 (max) sheets that cover:
parameters with Sheet 1: New Design Concept
focus on waste, Sheet 2,3,4,5: Drawings and
energy, water, and renders
building materials ONE A3 sheet that covers:
750 words project summary
C
Changes in Building
Byelaws required
to Implement your
New Design

I. Existing building bye

PRESENTATION OF SUGGESTED CHANGES

laws and regulations

are perceived as
constraints to good
design, that result in
compromised living
environments.

II. Suggestions for

required changes
in the existing
building byelaws and
regulations required
to implement your
proposals and ideas.
It may include
• height restrictions
SUBMISSION FORMAT
• size of the projection
ONE A3 Sheet only
in the margins
• ground coverage
shape and location
of common open
space
D Case
Studies

I. Two case studies

showcasing innovative
and effective addition
PRESENTATION OF CASE STUDIES

of usable space for

the living functions,
storage, etc. through
extensions and small
additions, etc. in
existing homes (formal
or informal).

SUBMISSION FORMAT
TWO A3 Sheets with drawings,
sketches, photos, and descriptions
showcasing both use and innovation
 Checklist of Submission:

ONE A2 sheet consisting of the SWOT Analysis

of the selected project

FIVE A2 (max) sheets consisting of the New

Design of the selected project

ONE A3 sheet with suggestions to the existing

bye laws and regulations

TWO A3 sheets showcasing the Case Studies

ONE A3 sheet comprising of a 750 words

project summary

• All sheets must compulsorily contain the Unique ID Number on the

bottom right corner of the sheet
• No personal information including names should be added to any
sheet
• A template for sheets shall be shared with the participants
• All entries are to be submitted in PDF format with size limited to 10
MB maxiumum on competition website.
• Entries are to be submitted before the deadline
• All entries will be judged anonymously by the jury
Eligibility, Registration, and Awards
Eligibility:
• Practicing Professionals: Architects, Interior Designers, Planners, & Engineers
• Senior students of the mentioned above disciplines
• NGOs with relevant experience
• Open to all in India and outside India
• No team size restriction
• Teams may be formed between members of any of the above groups
• Please do not attempt a direct relationship with the organizers or jury
• In case of perceived conflict of interest, pleasecontact organisers for clarification

Registration:
• Register at: https://www.inhaf.org/open-idea-national-competition-2022/ till the
last date of registration as given
• Confirmation email with Unique identification no. will be sent post registration
• Unique Identification Number to be used for project submission.

Interaction:
• During the competition, participants are encouraged to ask questions, seek
clarifications, interact through the given email: competition@inhaf.org
• Responses will be posted on the INHAF’s website

The Innovative Winning Entries will be:

• Presented to the relevant departments of the Central and State Governments
and the Association of Private Sector Developers
• Circulated widely through INHAF’s social media platforms and network
 1 Awards:
• First Place - ₹ 60,000
2 3 • Second Place - ₹ 35,000
• Third Place - ₹ 20,000

Terms and Conditions:

• The decision of the jury will be final and binding.
• The participants grant the organisers (INHAF) the right to promote and publish
any or all of the entries on any platform from any location for non-commercial,
research, educational, and development purposes. Any material that is published
will be duly credited to the authors.
• Participants of the competition agree that the work they are submitting has not
been submitted to any other competition before the result of this competition is
released.
• The sponsors are not responsible for any expenses incurred by the participants
for the research purposes of this competition.
• For clarifications, please contact the organisers.
• We encourage questions, interactions, and discussions. The potential
contestants are welcome to call or write for clarification and information.
The Jury and Judging Criteria
The Jury:

ARAVIND UNNI CHAITANYA GAJBHIYE KABIR VAJPEYI

Lead of Urban Poverty National Secretary at Social entrepreneur and
Reduction Thematic in IGSSS NASA India Co-Founder of Vinyas

KIRTEE SHAH LUMANTI JOSHI PREM CHANDAVARKAR SAMEEP PADORA

Founder President of Programme Manager Housing in Managing Partner of Architect, Co-Founder of
India Habitat Forum (INHAF) LUMANTI Support Group for Shelter CnT Architects Bandra Collective

SANDRA DURZO SHEULI MITRA SHYAM KHANDEKAR YATIN PANDYA

Senior Officer - Shelter and Associate Professor in Dept. of Co-Founder and Director of Author, Academician, Architect,
Settlements Division at IFRC Urban and Regional Planning at MyLiveableCity with at FOOTPRINTS E.A.R.T.H.
SPA, Bhopal
Priority Judging Considerations:

1 Focus on practical and workable solutions 10 Additional storage through creative

detailing and adaptable low-cost furniture

2 Emphasis on: Practicality, Doability, Useability,

Implement-ability, Adaptability, Scaleability 11 wheelers,
Parking spaces for cycles, two/ four
hand-carts & other working tool.

Expansion of functional, usable space without

3 additional built-up areas such as low-height

mezzanine, open to sky terrace or land, 12 Efficient common circulation spaces
storage areas, spaces for children, etc

4 Space for livelihood activities 13 Incremental growth possibility for the units
(with or without change in regulations

5 Terraces as useable spaces 14 Specific proposals and ideas for cost

reduction in construction & maintenance

6 Creative community interaction spaces 15 Tools and methodology for participatory design
and planning and consultative decision making

7 Imaginative handling of high densities 16 Low-cost maintenance options of houses,

building, and the site

Adequate access for Responses arising out of learnings from COVID

8 senior citizens and specially-abled people
and safety for children
17 pandemic and the lockdown: ventilation, light,
social distancing, better hygiene facilities

9 Ideas and proposals to save water and

electricity and reduction of waste 18 Innovative ideas on improving land
availability for affordable housing
Context of Housing in India
 Current Setting

1
With 96 % of housing deficit among the
economically weaker sections and the low
income groups, a large number of houses that get
constructed now/ future will be small, generally
low-cost and utilitarian. The skyline of the Indian
cities will be dominated by this housing typology.

With a target of 1.12 crore houses, the Pradhan

Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), through its four
verticals has opened up many possibilities of
construction of various formats of affordable

2
housing targeting the urban poor. This has
resulted in a surge in affordable housing
construction in Indian cities. However, while
numbers have been fulfilled the issue of quality
and end users’ satisfaction remains debateable.
There is thus, an immense scope to explore cost-
effective, liveable, and user-responsive solutions
in the affordable small housing segment both in
Formal/ Informal sector.

Over the years, small, low-cost houses have been

3
constructed mostly by the public sector agencies,
and save some exceptions they have been found
deficient in design, workmanship, construction
quality, delivery schedule and maintenance. The
public sector agencies still remain the principal
suppliers and though there is greater awareness
on the “quality” aspects, pace of change is slow.

4
Despite the organised private sectors’ entry into
the affordable housing segment the ‘quality’
aspect has not been addressed sufficiently due to
low-cost nature of projects.
 Established architects, in general, have kept

5
away from affordable housing scene save some
prestigious projects. Their involvement in such
projects is limited. Also, architects do not see
much scope for creative expression in small
houses and low-cost buildings. Consequently the
vigour required to get the maximum in design is
rarely seen.

Generally in all forms of housing, especially

low-cost affordable housing, the ‘people angle’
is missing, both in design and planning. With

6
the private builders and promoters it is mainly
the ‘sq.ft. business’ with high premium on FSI.
Architects on these projects often seek shelter
behind the ‘faceless client’ argument. Sensitive
handling of the client or the end-user needs is
also not a strong aspect of such public housing
projects. Neglect of “people” means neglect
of their living habits, sociocultural beliefs, and
aspirations.

The non-demanding end users of small houses

suffer mainly because of this conspiracy of

7
circumstances, mindset, and markets. Seen
largely as subsidy targets and prisoners of slum
culture their houses and buildings are poorly
designed and detailed, badly constructed,
suffer poor maintenance and usually look ugly.
For example, the “vertical slums” warrants no
questions.

8
Paradoxically, the sustainability considerations
are absent from the affordable housing projects
that need them the most. Design for sustainability
is seen as an almost exclusive preserve of the
upper-class and high-end housing.
Backdrop to the Competition
 In the backdrop of general affordable housing scenario in cities,
this competition seeks to establish that:

Low-income housing should not Smaller spaces conditioned by

automatically mean low quality affordability constraints could
housing. ‘Vertical slums’ are not be overcome through creative
inevitable. design.

Design for sustainability - water, energy,

The principle of incremental
growth can also be adopted in
multi-storied buildings.
waste management, must not escape
affordable housing projects. Aspects of
optimum usage, minimum waste, maximum
recycling, easy and low-cost maintenance
must weigh more in projects.
“Improving Liveability”
is defined as:
Physical Liveability:
Addition of useable space-
covered, semi-open, open-
to-sky in the given built
up area at little extra cost,
through creative design
and detailing. Also through
space enhancing, low-cost
furniture design.

Sociocultural Liveability:
More congenial
neighborhood through
community need sensitive
common space design
and participation.

Ecological Liveability:
Bringing elements of nature
in the design and adding
intangible dimensions
that enrich psychological,
sociological, and cultural
aspects of living.

Psychological Liveability:
Functional built-form,
attractive neighborhood,
and an inviting quality of
space.
This Competition aims to:

Awareness among designers - especially architects, interior, and furniture

CREATE designers - about the challenges in designing small houses and low-cost
housing projects and the market potential of this housing segment.

Design students to the challenges, especially the needs and compulsions of

INTRODUCE the low-income clients and low-cost projects

Design solutions that improve “liveability” of small houses for the low income,
PRODUCE and often large families that occupy them

The designers see and apply themselves to the psychological, sociological

MAKE and cultural factors in house design, cluster design and site planning that
emphasize the “people” aspect of the design engagement

Role of affordable housing in shaping the built form and physical landscape of
HIGHLIGHT the city - seeing it in the wider urban from context

Cost consciousness and sustainability principles in the affordable housing

DEMONSTRATE
projects

Designers and planners approaching a project with people/community

SENSITISE centeredness and adapting design appropriateness of slum redevelopment/
rehabilitation
 Addressing the

‘People’
Centeredness
of the Design

Not only families,

also neighbors

Not only individual

apartment, also a
community space

Not only an individual,

also the collective

Not only place

for living, also for
livelihood activity

Public common space

for family assets: for
cycles and vehicles.
 Competition Partners

Sponsor Habitat Forum (INHAF) is a network aiming to bring together, on

a shared platform, NGOs, civic groups, and communities; design,
planning, and development professionals; professional training
institutions and young students working in the human settlement
development field with a special interest in urban and rural housing
for the low-income groups; participatory planning and inclusive
development; poverty reduction; livable, people-centered, poor
sensitive, and environmentally friendly cities and sustainable
development.

Partner The CREDAI-Pune Metro was established in 1982. Since then, it

operates for the promotion of Real Estate Sector in the region for the
benefit of its members, with a strong membership of around 1200
PUNE METRO
members in the construction sector. CREDAI-Pune Metro closely works
with Government and Semi-Government agencies and takes initiative
in policy formation. It has seventeen Expert Committees including
committees for Taxation, Finance, Government, Liasioning, Labour
Welfare, Environment and Energy, Exhibition and Website, Training etc.

Print Media Index Furniture Journal (IFJ) is a publication on furniture, interiors

Partner and design, with a strong business focus, bridging the gap
between India and the Global community.
Website: www.ifj.co.in
Open Ideas National Competition 2022 | Season - III
Improving Liveability of Small Houses
A competition by Habitat Forum (INHAF), Ahmedabad | Pune; In partnership with CREDAI Pune
Metro and IFJ Magazine as Print Media Partner.

This brochure is prepared as a guide for the participants of the competition.

Feel free to copy, distribute, and reproduce in any form with credits and source attributed to
Habitat Forum (INHAF).

Habitat Forum (INHAF)

403, P.D. Apartments, Pritamnagar, 10, Paldi, Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Website: www.inhaf.org Email: competition@inhaf.org / +91 9482946233

Credits:

Brochure Design: November 2022

Kirtee Shah, Ankisha Sapariya, Ujjvala Krishna | INHAF Ahmedabad
Sheuli Mitra (Mentor), Aman Kumar, Nikita Mane, Utkarsh Anand | SPA, Bhopal

Photo Contributions:

Cover Photo: Retrieved from Taiwan News

Contents Page: Retrieved from NDTV News
Page 2: Ankisha Sapariya
Page 4: Ujjvala Krishna
Page 6: Retrieved from https://familyincluded.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/17252250461_11094da4cd_k.jpg
Page 10: Retrieved from dreamstime.com
Page 11: Retrieved from vectorstock.com
Page 12: Retrieved from architectureartdesigns.com
Page 14: Retrieved from hindustantimes.com
Page 17: Retrieved from sawdust.online
Page 20: Ujjvala Krishna
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Page 22: Retrieved from https://c8.alamy.com/comp/MEC3DE/low-income-housing-blocks-mumbai-india-MEC3DE.jpg
Page 23: Retrieved from sawdust.online
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Page 27: Retrieved from researchgate.net