Yamuna Apartments

(Alaknanda)
INTRODUCTION

• Yamuna apartments belong to a

group housing society, which has
been designed for the lower
middle income group.

• Location- Alaknanda, new Delhi.

• Total Area: 4.25 Acres

• Built-up Area: 35%

• No. of Floors: 03
Accessibility
 ENTRY

ENTRY
The recreational
activities are
grouped around the
central square. The
club is located on
the first floor level
forming a bridge
across two housing
blocks.

A view of the units grouped around the

central space. The open air stage is in the
foreground.
•The unit plan has opening
on two sides , thus
enabling a fair amount of
cross ventilation.

•Houses were designed

overlooking each others
semi private areas.

•In the unit plans , the semi

private area or the living
room of each unit has been
consciously designed
towards the pedestrian
spine to enable communal
interaction and
acknowledgement of one’s
neighbors.
Pedestrianised Pathways
• The shape of the built form gives rise to the
• walkways between two blocks, which function
• as streets within the society.
• They have been broken into levels, given green
• pockets.
 The open air stage forms a part of the
recreational facilities grouped around
the central square.

Units on the ground floor have a private

courtyard which is partly covered . It forms
an important space for outdoor activities .
The change in the shape of the terrace , from square to rectangular , on
alternate floors provides considerable variation to the façade and strong
geometric frame work.
The external walls finished with stone aggregate which practically
requires no maintenance besides an occasional washing down with water
to remove the dust along with reinforced concrete bands at terrace
levels provide a refreshing contrast against the landscape.
A typical pedestrian street or
gali leading to the central
square with entrance to the
units .
Children can play in the gali
undisturbed by vehicular traffic.
The access staircase in each
block form important design
elements . They wind around a
central wall panel , but at each
half landing an independent
flight peels off to lead directly
to the entrance of the adjacent
unit.
Each unit has a courtyard or
terrace for outdoor activities.
 Merits

 Community spaces like O.A.T, public seating, gardens etc. are provided.

 Privacy is maintained by providing a small breathing space in every apartment i.e. in

ground floor it is next to main door and in upper floors it is as balconies.
 Two main, three sub and one service Entries are provided for the better use of spaces.
 Non- accessible Terrace gardens are provided to enclosure to the outer space and at the
same time they also gives the view of the open sky which merges with the landscaping on
the upper terrace gardens.
 The designer has tried to
make the open spaces face
towards the southern side
to avoid direct light
entering the area.

The complex gives a sense of

enclosure.

There are many buffer zones

within the complex which form
the space of gathering , social
interaction.

35 percent of the total area is the built up area.

There are large open spaces for public use provided on the
periphery of the complex.
The built up area is in staggered form and oriented in such a
way that they form a sense of enclosure within the complex.
balconies have been provided with the built units that add to
the aesthetics and functionality to the built form.
65 percent is open space.
 Demerits

 Parking was not made according to the requirement, cars were parked on the roadside.
 The idea of parking being on the periphery, is very unique, as the whole colony enjoys a terrific
free circulation around the colony, however, the demand for parking has increased since the
society’s conception, creating a shortage of car space.
 the open and green spaces at various intervals, placing of the blocks, and the usage of
pedestrianization.
 The external staircase saves a lot of internal space as it cuts down the need for a core, but,
proves to be a problem on days with heavy rainfall. The fact that residents can see into each
others living rooms creates a sense of safety in times of emergencies but it may seem intrusive
for some, who have simply used frosted glass/blinds to crub the issue.