Design Forum International Brings About a Revolution in Affordable Housing

Increasing by nearly 100% since the first half of 2016 from the year-ago period, there is a buzz around the affordable housing segment after the announcement of slew of rebates on home loans under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. However, this sudden augment of the real estate market has led to a decline of quality homes in the affordable segment.

Design Forum International (DFI) felt the need to solve this problem looking beyond the buzz word and coming out with a design solution and setting benchmarks in this domain.

The market potential of affordable housing projects  in the country is expected to touch trillions in a few years and the demand for affordable housing is expected to remain healthy, emanating to young demographic profile, shift towards nuclear families and rapid urbanisation.

DFI, being the first architectural firm to get approval under affordable housing scheme by Haryana Government, has successfully delivered projects in that region and other states without compromising on quality and the facilities provided. The projects delivered by DFI were finished at a cost lower by staggering 15-25% compared to similar developments.

Summer Palms in Faridabad is a fine example of affordable housing projects by DFI. This project was finished at an average cost of Rs. 1,050 per square foot yet has a thoughtful and efficient landscape design, with a blend of play and leisure areas, a fully functional and aesthetic club and sports facilities. DFI takes pride in successfully delivering similar affordable housing projects across the country such as BDI Ambaram - Bhiwadi, Paradise 62 - Gurgaon, Blue Jay Housing - Bangalore, Surya Housing - Lucknow, Vibrant Township - Bahadurgarh and many more.

The influx of professionals to Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities has increased the demand for affordable homes. Very often, the affordable housing schemes are equipped with substandard amenities and are designed keeping in mind the EWS and lower income sections.

They are not designed for the middle working class that needs quality homes.  Affordability is often misinterpreted in Indian context, this means cost-cutting by developers that leads to provision of poor level of amenities provided to end user. The scheme to this should be quality with value for money.

Affordable housing built under the public-private partnership model is facing limited success in achieving its purpose, i.e., reducing the existing urban housing shortage. The major reasons are the mismatch in demand and supply and location coupled with dwindling quality.

A cost-efficient quality home has all the attributes of a premium property, but is affordable to a larger segment of the population. The benefit of affordable housing is in its ability to enable families to have the opportunity to live in communities close to work, education, and affordable transportation, while making provision for those most at-risk in our society. The affordable luxury market is fast expanding its base to include home buyers from the middle class.

DFI, with their futuristic approach towards architecture and design, hit on 'Concept Homes'. These homes will allow homeowners to reconfigure their home as their lifestyle and economic situation changes. Rooms can change in size and/or a complete floor may change in function. The dwelling can be reconfigured as the size of the family increases or its needs change.

Foldable furniture can also be brought in to add more space and functions to a room. This, as they foresee, will bring about a revolution in the affordable housing market in India.

About Design Forum International

In the year 1995, three young architecture graduates from IIT Kharagpur started an architectural practice called Tevatia, Chauhan & Sharma Architects (TCS). In 2003, the practice was rechristened as Design Forum International (DFI) headed by three partners Anand Sharma, Anoj Tevatia, and Goonmeet Chauhan, with a clear intent to foster an egalitarian organizational ethos where distinctive architectural talent finds self-expression and can contribute in a democratic and collaborative work environment. 

The practice has since grown from strength to strength pursuing a distinctive value-based architectural spirit that DFI imbues with a portfolio covering large array of work in the domain of architecture.

Rustomjee Launches 'Special Limited Edition Homes' in Thane West

Rustomjee has launched its special limited edition homes in their 30-storey standalone tower, Aurelia, which is a part of its Rustomjee Urbania Township in Thane West.

With an existing occupancy in the township of over 2000 families, Aurelia has witnessed an overwhelming response in its pre-booking sales with over 160 families having expressed their interest through pre-bookings last year during the time of its launch. Aurelia provides rooftop amenities, a first for Thane residential real estate.

Rustomjee Urbania Township

Aurelia, the 30-storey standalone tower offers 2BHK apartments ranging from 599 - 612 sq ft (Carpet Area) coupled with rooftop amenities. From rooftop swimming pool with deck to a stargazing deck and a party terrace, Aurelia has it all to choose a life not limited by square feet. What makes Aurelia perfect for families is that it caters to every generation cutting across age groups with amenities like gymnasium; kids play area, senior citizen area and party/multipurpose hall.

Speaking on the launch and inception of the tower, Percy S. Chowdhry, Director, Rustomjee Group said, "The demand for 2BHK has gone up considerably in the last few years and Thane has gradually become a preferred investment option for aspirational housing. It is very heartening to see the interest of home buyers in Rustomjee Urbania Township and given the overwhelming response, we have launched special limited edition homes in Aurelia, the 30-storey standalone tower within the township at a price that this segment is comfortable with. What differentiates this tower from the rest in Thane is the rooftop amenities that promise to deliver a bespoke living experience to its residents as well as its strategic location within the township that has an operational IGSE school, retail, kid's playing area, multi-sports arena, fire station open."

Location

Located in Majiwada, Thane W, Aurelia offers its residents an easy access to the public amenities. While on one hand there are several corporate parks in the vicinity, on the other there are best-in-class hypermarkets and shopping malls like Korum, Viviana and Hypermarket that will solve the shopping woes of the residents. The proposed 11-km long tunnel between Thane-Borivali and the proposed metro lines connecting Ghodbunder to Wadala are set to make Thane one of the most well-connected suburbs in the Mumbai metropolitan region (MMR).

Rustomjee Urbania Township is aesthetically designed by the most renowned architect in India, Hafeez Contractor. This township houses a Multi-Sports Arena which is artfully composed within the project to engage its users in a healthy and refreshing environment. The new micro environmental condition will not only provide for a healthy environment for the residents but also cast a positive effect on the surrounding parts of the city. Rustomjee Urbania is one of the only township in Mumbai that has received Gold Rating from IGBC (Indian Green Building Certificate) and is one of the most awarded township project in India.

Rustomjee Urbania houses the Rustomjee Cambridge International School, the first school in the integrated township and brings forth a solution to issues of access to good educational institutes faced by students and parents in crowded metro cities like Mumbai. Affiliated with International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Program of University of Cambridge, it makes global level of education available to students, at walking distance from their homes.

It also houses 'Leon's World' which is a space developed, in consultation with experts, to provide children a stimulating environment. It caters to different aspects of growth and development. Mentors present at the center guide children in exploring various fields including arts, mathematics, science and language through play way learning methods. In the past two years, Rustomjee Urbania has organized activities such as a Summer Fest, Adventure Carnival, Urban Farm Fest, among other monthly workshops that encourage children and parents to come together and spend quality time.

About Rustomjee:  

Rustomjee has carved a niche for itself in the ever-growing real estate sector, with a portfolio that includes 14.32 million square feet of completed projects; 12 million square feet of ongoing development and another 28 million square feet of planned development in the pipeline, spanning across the best locations of Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Their portfolio currently includes two very large townships, residential spaces, office complexes, retail developments, spaces for healthcare and education spread across BKC Annex, Khar, Off Juhu Circle, Kandivali, Borivali, Virar and Thane.

Rustomjee lays emphasis on adding value to the lives of their homeowners through their core business, their CSR initiatives and philanthropy. They have strived to ensure that every blueprint includes child-friendly spaces for parks, playgrounds, and learning rooms and thereby encouraging families to spend quality time with each other.