GIZ invited Adreesh Chakraborty to help them integrate their proposal to the architectural and structural systems used at the various structures made by DMRC.

An estimated 52 MW of generating capacity could be installed if all the present stations, future stations and other ancillary areas under DMRC could be utilized.

The design intervention lay primarily in transforming a purely engineered over-layer of photovoltaic panels to an urban image that would not only enhance the visual experience of the industrial curved roofs of the stations, but would also become an icon for DMRC to propagate itself as a responsible and conscious service provider with an eye for urban aesthetics. The panels were designed to breathe in life to the dormant form of the roofing structure as a manifestation of the function of being live and producing electricity as long as the sun shines on them.

The challenge lay in designing a light, cheap, effective, construction friendly and highly flexible structural system that could plug onto existing stations without having to ever stop operations and would also help the solar panels face the sun from any possible alignment. A light structural system was developed that could be clamped onto the existing metal portal frames where they were exposed and keep the existing roofing free from any intervention, thus reducing chances of leakages and ensuring smooth functioning of the stations.

For a case study of an existing station was taken up.  After analysis of the best annual exposure to the sun and the alignments of the station the over layer was conceptualized for optimum performance.

The new stations were proposed with panels incorporated into the roofing structure to form a transparent roof shaded by the array of the Photovoltaic cells. This in turn would also increase day-lighting at the stations.

Collaborators: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Arbutus Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

The inspiration for the villa design comes from traditional Indian planning with an open courtyard at the centre with rooms arranged around it. This courtyard transforms itself into spaces with different characteristics for the three houses, but all of these become the central congregational space for each household.

The site planning allows for each house to have its own open space, surrounding it with common tree courts and allowing for members of the different households to freely access each other’s homes without being restricted by the formal entries.

This residence has ingeniously broken away from the linear box typology dominating the surrounding context by introducing a trapezoidal block . This acts like a surprise in an otherwise preconceived built form derived from the byelaws, asserting a dynamically bold statement on this urban corner. The design stands out with its overhead louvers embracing the whole house, acting as a shading screen on the roof and outer walls.

With its ground floor reserved for public functions the open spaces are designed such that when in use they can be opened up or closed as desired. Large openings have been introduced onto the facade without compromising on the privacy of the residents.

This proposal, prepared in collaboration with the explored the 4 Cities Collaborative, presents possibilities from the aspects of consolidation of land-ownership, mixed use feasibility, urban design, massing, last mile connectivity and sustainability of the project.

The inspiration for the villa design comes from traditional Indian planning with an open courtyard at the center with rooms arranged around it. This courtyard transforms itself into spaces with different characteristics for the three houses, but all of these become the central congregational space for each household.
The site planning allows for each house to have its own open space, surrounding it with common tree courts and allowing for members of the different households to freely access each other’s homes without being restricted by the formal entries.

Each floor is twisted over the next primarily to align the various zones to visual sightlines taking into consideration surrounding built forms and contours. This in turn creates interesting private terraces on each level.

The design also uses this location to an advantage, allowing predominant winds into the courtyard, which begins to act like a wind tunnel.

Taking cues from the location and context of Goa, the hardscaping has been conceived as a middle-ground -a common space for the houses, the geometry of the twisting grids, for modernity and tradition and for water and stone to flow harmoniously throughout the site.

The contours of the site together with the scope of the panoramic views create a perfect opportunity for a bold design.