Register: FEB/15/2019, Submit: FEB/15/2019, Eligibility: Architects, engineers (civil/structural); students 3rd, 4th and 5th year (individually, teams), Fee: Free, Awards: Total prize: 15,00,000 INR (Indian Rupee) (about 21,510 USD)

The Government of India, through the Ministry of Rural Development, has identified villages under the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, which can be benefitted immediately. Select a village of 10,000-20,000 inhabitants that falls in this list and is geographically accessible to be studied in earnest. A thorough study of its facilities and drawbacks, will be an eyeopener but will also provide the basis on which to propose the intervention. The process will require identification of atleast one unique feature of the village – structural or environmental, and one pressing architectural, planning or infrastructural issue, the solution of for which will form the basis of this competition. Within the context of the evolving realities in rural India, IndiaNext has identified the following three areas of buildable design interventions. Participants are free to select any one for their submission or explore a fourth option that they think is more relevant in the current scenario.

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A. INDIVIDUAL HOUSE OR MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING

  1. The individual house must have a minimum area of 25 m2, with kitchen and sanitation facilities included.
  2. The house must serve a family of 4-5 people. If the study indicates other family sizes, it can be shown as a design option.
  3. Climatic and seismic guidelines must be identified and the design must respond to the same.
  4. Local materials and technologies, indigenous skills can be incorporated in the construction technology.
  5. An estimated costing must be included.
  6. The house should have the capability to scale up incrementally and become a 2 or 3 family house or a mixed-use space.
  7. The design should be a readily replicable one, and one that could be used in varying plot sizes or conditions if possible.
  8. The design must be able to generate a unique design identity which is aligned to the aspirations of the new Indian village, and fulfils the promise that is envisioned as Village 2047.
  9. The design must demonstrate how it responds to the street (and its neighbouring houses/context) and existing infrastructure, if any.
  10. Designs that build in sustainability, alternative energy sources and are GRIHA-rating compliant will be rated higher.

B. COMMUNITY FACILITY SITE SELECTION

  1. The function of the facility must be based on the study done by the participants. It should ideally address the needs or aspirations of the particular village selected.
  2. The area of the facility should be approximately 300-500 m2.
  3. Climatic and seismic guidelines must be identified and the design must respond to the same.
  4. Local materials and technologies, indigenous skills can be incorporated in the construction technology.
  5. The design must be able to generate a unique design identity which is aligned to the aspirations of the new Indian village.
  6. Response to the street/square it stands in must be articulated including public ingress/egress according to statutory safety guidelines.
  7. Designs that build in sustainability, alternative energy sources and are GRIHA rating compliant will be rated higher.

C. INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTION PROBLEM SELECTION

  1. Present the solution with reference to governmental schemes where relevant.
  2. Materiality, resources to be employed should be detailed out.
  3. Estimated costing – phase-wise if required – to be given.
  4. Multiple approaches to the issue maybe given as part of the presentation.
  5. The solution must be comprehensive and constructible.
  6. The impact on the village and villagers’ lives must be explained completely.

Website: ultratechindianext.com

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