How to Learn from Raj Rewal's Housing Projects: PDF Files and Analysis
Raj Rewal Housing Projects PDF Download
If you are interested in Indian architecture and urban design, you have probably heard of Raj Rewal. He is one of the most influential and respected architects in India, who has designed many iconic buildings and projects across the country. His work is characterized by a humanist approach that responds to the complexities of rapid urbanization, as well as a climate-sensitive approach that adapts to the local environment and culture.
rajrewalhousingprojectspdfdownload
One of the areas that Raj Rewal has excelled in is housing design. He has created many innovative and inspiring housing projects that cater to different needs and contexts. His housing projects are not only functional and comfortable, but also aesthetically pleasing and socially engaging. They reflect his vision of creating humane architecture that fosters a sense of community and participation.
In this article, we will introduce you to some of Raj Rewal's best housing projects and show you how you can download PDF files of them for further study and inspiration. Whether you are a student, a professional, or a general enthusiast of architecture, you will find something valuable and interesting in these projects.
Asian Games Village
One of Raj Rewal's most famous housing projects is the Asian Games Village, which he designed for the 1982 Asian Games held in Delhi. The project was commissioned by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and consisted of 700 dwelling units and a mix of recreational and commercial facilities. The project took just under two years to build and was located near the medieval ruins of Siri Fort in South Delhi.
Rewal's design concept was based on creating a village-like atmosphere that would instill a sense of community and participation among the residents and visitors. He was inspired by the urban patterns of Jaipur and Jaisalmer, where clusters of houses form mohallas or neighborhoods around courtyards and streets. He designed the housing units in various sizes and types, ranging from 90 square meters to 200 square meters, and each unit had its own private open-to-sky space, such as a courtyard or a terrace. He also designed the communal spaces, such as gardens, walkways, terraces, and galleries, to connect the clusters and provide opportunities for social interaction and recreation.
Some of the main features and challenges of this project were:
The use of local materials, such as stone, brick, and concrete, to create a harmonious and contextual architecture that blends with the surroundings.
The use of passive design strategies, such as orientation, shading, ventilation, insulation, and water harvesting, to reduce energy consumption and enhance thermal comfort.
The use of modular and prefabricated construction techniques, such as precast concrete panels and steel frames, to speed up the construction process and ensure quality control.
The use of traditional crafts and skills, such as stone carving, brick laying, tile work, and painting, to add richness and diversity to the architecture and support the local economy.
French Embassy Staff Quarters
Another notable housing project by Raj Rewal is the French Embassy Staff Quarters, which he designed for the staff of the French Embassy in Delhi. The project was commissioned by the French government and consisted of 25 apartments and a common clubhouse. The project was completed in 1985 and was located in Chanakyapuri, an affluent diplomatic enclave in Delhi.
Rewal's design concept was based on creating apartments that would suit the north Indian climate and lifestyle. He designed the apartments in two types: one-bedroom units of 75 square meters and two-bedroom units of 150 square meters. Each apartment had its own private courtyard that formed an important feature of the living space. The courtyards were flanked by high parapets to ensure privacy for the residents and were shaded by pergolas to provide comfort in the hot summers. The apartments also had large windows and doors that opened onto the courtyards, allowing natural light and ventilation to enter the rooms.
Some of the main features and challenges of this project were:
The use of a simple and elegant architectural vocabulary that expressed the French identity without being ostentatious or alienating.
The use of a rational and economical structural system that consisted of reinforced concrete columns and beams that supported brick infill walls.
The use of a limited palette of materials that included white plastered walls, red sandstone floors, teak wood doors and windows, and terracotta tiles for the roofs.
The use of a landscaped setting that integrated the buildings with the existing trees and plants on the site.
National Institute of Immunology
A third housing project by Raj Rewal that we will discuss is the National Institute of Immunology (NII), which he designed for a scientific research institute in Delhi. The project was commissioned by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) and consisted of laboratories, study rooms, a library, an auditorium, a director's house, and lodgings for professors with families, married assistants, and unmarried researchers. The project was completed in 1990 and was located on a 25-acre site near Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in South Delhi.
Rewal's design concept was based on creating an institute that would function as an analog of a traditional town with courts, galleries, level changes, and uniform materials and colors. He designed the institute as a series of interconnected buildings that formed courtyards of different sizes and characters. He also designed the buildings to have different heights and volumes to create a dynamic skyline. He used a uniform material palette of red sandstone for the walls, white marble for the floors, blue ceramic tiles for the roofs, and green glass for the windows. He also used geometric patterns and motifs derived from Islamic architecture to decorate the facades and interiors.
Some of the main features and challenges of this project were:
Other Housing Projects by Raj Rewal
Besides the three housing projects that we have discussed, Raj Rewal has designed many other notable housing projects that demonstrate his versatility, creativity, and sensitivity to context and culture. Here are some examples of his other housing projects:
Sham Lal House: This house was designed for a leading journalist and writer in New Delhi. The design placed an emphasis on blending the entrance hall, dining, and living room spaces with the front garden as much as possible. The large pivoting doors of glass and teak defined the living room garden boundary and could be opened for social occasions. The house also had a double-height space that contained the entrance hall and stairs to the first floor. The house was a combination of modern and vernacular architecture that reflected the personality and lifestyle of the owner .
Aranya Low Cost Housing: This housing project was designed for low-income families in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The project consisted of 6,500 dwelling units for 40,000 people on a 86-hectare site. The project adopted a participatory approach that involved the residents in the design and construction process. The project provided basic infrastructure and services, such as roads, water supply, drainage, electricity, community facilities, etc., and allowed the residents to build their own houses according to their needs and preferences. The project also created a variety of open spaces, such as courtyards, parks, playgrounds, etc., to foster social interaction and cohesion among the residents.
CMC Staff Housing: This housing project was designed for the staff of the Centre for Management Consultancy (CMC) in New Delhi. The project consisted of 60 apartments of three types: studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units. The project was designed as a series of stepped terraces that followed the natural slope of the site. The terraces created private gardens for each apartment and also reduced the heat gain from the sun. The project also used local materials, such as brick and stone, to create a warm and contextual architecture.
Conclusion
In this article, we have introduced you to some of Raj Rewal's best housing projects and showed you how you can download PDF files of them for further study and inspiration. We have seen how Raj Rewal has created humane and climate-sensitive housing projects that cater to different needs and contexts. His housing projects are not only functional and comfortable, but also aesthetically pleasing and socially engaging. They reflect his vision of creating architecture that fosters a sense of community and participation.
Raj Rewal's housing projects are relevant and valuable for contemporary architecture and urban design. They show us how we can design housing that respects the environment, the culture, and the people. They also show us how we can use local materials, traditional crafts, passive design strategies, and participatory approaches to create sustainable and affordable housing. They also show us how we can use modular and prefabricated construction techniques to speed up the construction process and ensure quality control.
If you want to learn more about Raj Rewal's housing projects, you can visit his official website: http://www.rajrewal.in/ or check out some of these links and resources:
Raj Rewal - 15 Best Projects - RTF Rethinking The Future
Raj Rewal Asia Games Housing PDF Courtyard Apartment - Scribd
Raj Rewal - Wikipedia
FAQs
Q: When and where was Raj Rewal born?
A: Raj Rewal was born in 1934 in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India.
Q: What are some of the awards and honors that Raj Rewal has received?
A: Raj Rewal has received many awards and honors, such as the Gold Medal from the Indian Institute of Architects, the Robert Mathew Award from the Commonwealth Association of Architects, the Great Master's Award from JK Cement, etc.
Q: What are some of the influences and inspirations that Raj Rewal has drawn from in his work?
A: Raj Rewal has drawn from various sources of influence and inspiration, such as traditional Indian architecture, Islamic architecture, modernist architecture, vernacular architecture, etc.
Q: How can I contact Raj Rewal or his firm for any queries or collaborations?
A: You can contact Raj Rewal or his firm through their official website: http://www.rajrewal.in/
Q: Where can I see some of Raj Rewal's original drawings and models of his projects?
A: You can see some of Raj Rewal's original drawings and models at the Pompidou Center in Paris, where they are part of the permanent collection.
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