Design Jatra

16/09/2025

https://youtu.be/oZV_uXMWy90?si=7jePyzQneItS782M

Interior design चा आमचा पहिला प्रयत्न

Ever wondered how to make a small space feel big? In the space-crunched city of Mumbai, every square foot matters. Join us on a tour of a 464 sq ft apartment...

30/08/2025

The prototype walls went through trials of mud, lime and cement plasters along with exposed brickwork with cement pointing.
Flooring was IPS, compacted earth, Kadappa stone and terracotta tiles.
The partitions, opening covers and door were made using wattle and daub, split bamboo and opened bamboo resp.
The aim of showcasing maximum technologies in a smaller house were thus fulfilled.
We hope you enjoyed the process as much as we did with a wonderful team of executors on board :)

Client: Mr. Ashok Kalbaug, Alumni 1974 IIT-B
Location: IIT-B campus
Total Built up: 580 sq.ft.
Design Team: Ar. Vinita Kaur M. Chiragia
Civil contractor:
Roof contractor: .in
Photos: .expression_
Special thanks: IIT-B faculty and IIT-BAA
P.S. The prototype was aimed to, but is not climatically designed due to time constraints and various procedural delays.

[Prototype, Rural housing, Natural building, IIT, Ecological, Flooring, Partitions, Bamboo]

26/08/2025

Regions that receive rainfall more than 2000 mm tradionally carry sloping roofs.
These roofs hava a timber framework covered with various roofing materials like pot tiles, thatch, terracotta tiles.
However, due to timber getting scarce and costlier, bamboo can be the alternative for rural housing as it grows fast and free, in abundance in the rural settings and is a carbon positive construction material.
The prototype utilizes bamboo for the sloping framework and mangalore tiles and clothcrete as the finishing layer.
"Dhopil" bamboo, endemic to the western ghats, has been used for the roof structure. It has not yet been provided with a scientific name.
Clothcrete technology involves dipping of jute sheets in cement slurry and laying then on top of the bamboo mesh created for the roof. This is then plastered with addition of a waterproofing compound.in helped us not only with bamboo joinery details but also in the specification and ex*****on bits of the clothcrete technology. We are much grateful to have had them on board! :)

Client: Mr. Ashok Kalbaug, Alumni 1974 IIT-B
Location: IIT-B campus
Total Built up: 580 sq.ft.
Design Team: Ar. Vinita Kaur M. Chiragia
Civil contractor:
Roof contractor: .in
Photos: .expression_
Graphics: .expression_
Special thanks: IIT-B faculty and IIT-BAA
P.S. The prototype was aimed to, but is not climatically designed due to time constraints and various procedural delays.

[Prototype, Rural housing, Natural building, IIT, Ecological, Roofing, Bamboo]

23/08/2025

A window is an interface between the inside and the outside. But, a Bay Window goes one step ahead to take you closer to the outside while keeping you indoors.
Most rural BPL households in Maharashtra have a room with a rope tied wall to wall for hanging all clothes as a cheaper alternative to the cupboard.
The bay window in the project is visualised not only as a sit out but also a storage nook.
With a little expertise and not much addional cost, a bay window in these households can improve the spatial quality, neatness and aesthetics of the house.

Client: Mr. Ashok Kalbaug, Alumni 1974 IIT-B
Location: IIT-B campus
Total Built up: 580 sq.ft.
Design Team: Ar. Vinita Kaur M. Chiragia
Civil contractor:
Roof contractor: .in
Photos: .expression_
Graphics: .expression_
Special thanks: IIT-B faculty and IIT-BAA
Cover Image: Stock Image
P.S. The prototype was aimed to, but is not climatically designed due to time constraints and various procedural delays.

[Prototype, Rural housing, Natural building, IIT, Ecological, Window]

19/08/2025

A hygienic toilet is a basic need, but in many rural areas, water for flushing is scarce.
DrySan is a waterless, zero-discharge squat toilet with separate ports for solids, urine, and washing water, plus pits below for collection and decomposition.
Segregation reduces odour and pathogens, while minimal water use speeds up drying and aerobic decomposition. Urine can be percolated or collected, and both wastes can be used as fertiliser after dilution.
A stainless-steel pan ensures easy cleaning, and a flap at the solid waste exit blocks insects and smells.
The main challenge? Working around the habit of pouring water to clean toilets.

Client: Mr. Ashok Kalbaug, Alumni 1974 IIT-B
Location: IIT-B campus
Total Built up: 580 sq.ft.
Design Team: Ar. Vinita Kaur M. Chiragia
Civil contractor:
Roof contractor: .in
Photos: .expression_
Graphics: .expression_
Special thanks: IIT-B faculty and IIT-BAA
Special mention: Prof. Munshi, IIT-B
Cover Image: Clean Cooking Alliance
P.S. The prototype was aimed to, but is not climatically designed due to time constraints and various procedural delays.

[Prototype, Rural housing, Natural building, IIT, Ecological, Toilet]

16/08/2025

The prototype is planned with the nahani connected to the kitchen for washing vessels and taking bath. Hence, a Ferrocement Water Tank is planned at this location.
The nahani has an inbuilt provision for water heating pot at waist height. This pot is manually accessible from inside the nahani. This is helpful while taking bath and also for cleaning vessels in harsh winters.
The water heater can be fired from outside the house so that it is well ventilated and doesn't create smoke.
The water tank is placed above the water heating pot such that water from the tank can be let into the water heating pot by a tap.
We had similar ingenious systems in many villages earlier that are being lost.

Client: Mr. Ashok Kalbaug, Alumni 1974 IIT-B
Location: IIT-B campus
Total Built up: 580 sq.ft.
Design Team: Ar. Vinita Kaur M. Chiragia
Civil contractor:
Roof contractor: .in
Photos: .expression_
Graphics: .expression_
Special thanks: IIT-B faculty and IIT-BAA
Cover Image: Stock Image
P.S. The prototype was aimed to, but is not climatically designed due to time constraints and various procedural delays.

[Prototype, Rural housing, Natural building, IIT, Ecological, Kitchen, Toilet]

09/08/2025

Many destitute families still rely on the Chulha (चूल) for cooking. Limited access to quality firewood, worsened by deforestation, forces the use of smoky timber that harms the cook’s eyes and lungs.
A Mud-and-Brick Chulha with a smoke outlet offers a healthier solution, protecting both the meal preparer and the family.
This isn’t a new design—it has been successfully implemented in many places. Spreading awareness can help more people in need benefit from it.

Client: Mr. Ashok Kalbaug, Alumni 1974 IIT-B
Location: IIT-B campus
Total Built up: 580 sq.ft.
Design Team: Ar. Vinita Kaur M. Chiragia
Civil contractor:
Roof contractor: .in
Photos: .expression_
Graphics: .expression_
Special thanks: IIT-B faculty and IIT-BAA
Cover Image: Clean Cooking Alliance
P.S. The prototype was aimed to, but is not climatically designed due to time constraints and various procedural delays.

[Prototype, Rural housing, Natural building, IIT, Ecological, Kitchen]

02/08/2025

INCREMENTAL HOUSING = DIGNITY IN PHASES

In rural areas of Palghar, Thane, and Raigad, homes are often built bit by bit — expanding as families grow and funds allow.

Our latest rural housing prototype follows this principle with a thoughtful 3-Phase Design:
🏠 Phase 1: A common room, kitchen, attached bath & toilet — the essential core.
🌿 Phase 2: Adds a veranda and a private room.
🌼 Phase 3: Another room for growing needs.

This ensures even the most vulnerable can begin with dignity, comfort, and future-ready space — without waiting for all funds up front.

We’ll share more on the sustainable & health-focused aspects in upcoming posts.
Follow for updates on design with heart and purpose.
💛💛💛

Client: Mr. Ashok Kalbaug, Alumni 1974 IIT-B
Location: IIT-B campus
Total Built up: 580 sq.ft.
Design Team: Ar. Vinita Kaur M. Chiragia
Civil contractor:
Roof contractor: .in
Photos: .expression_ and Vinita Kaur M. Chiragia.
Graphics: .expression_
Special thanks: IIT-B faculty and IIT-BAA
P.S. The prototype was aimed to, but is not climatically designed due to time constraints and various procedural delays.

[Prototype, Rural housing, Natural building, IIT, Ecological, Incrementality]

29/07/2025

A prototype is designed at the IIT-B campus towards HEARTS 74' project headed by the IIT-B 1974 alumni batch towards providing 1 lakh houses in the rural sector.
The aim of the prototype is to showcase various rural technologies while accomodating basic necessities of safety, health and hygiene.
Key aspects of incrementality and natural material usage are showcased along with sustainable features like smokeless chulha, dry toilet and energy efficiency and architectural elements like bay windows and split doors.
This is just the beginning, stay tuned for more updates :)

Client: Mr. Ashok Kalbaug, Alumni 1974 IIT-B
Location: IIT-B campus
Total Built up: 580 sq.ft.
Design Team: Ar. Vinita Kaur M. Chiragia
Civil contractor:
Roof contractor: .in
Photos: .expression_ and Vinita Kaur M. Chiragia.
Graphics: .expression_
Special thanks: IIT-B faculty and IIT-BAA
P.S. The prototype was aimed to, but is not climatically designed due to time constraints and various procedural delays.

[Prototype, Rural housing, Natural building, IIT, Ecological, Incrementality]

22/07/2025

Till date, PMAY, the largest flagship housing project of the GoI provides a couple of options of prototypical house for every state that are replicated as-is across the country with a few exceptions.
In a country like ours with enormous variations in biodiversity, climatic conditions, context, isn't it high time we ask if there is an alternative to the failure of mass housing scheme? Is there a way to ensure that mass housing shows relevance to the residents, their livelihoods, climate and the context?
Can there be a prototypical "process" that generates individual houses as an outcome of the sustainable choices based on the livelihood, climate and context?
Layouts from Laurie Baker's "Rural House Plans"


Graphics in collaboration with .expression_

[Rural housing, Mass housing, PMAY, Local materials]

26/02/2025

This journey has been incredibly pleasant. 12 years ago, the three of us never imagined that this journey would take so many turns and reach this point. And most importantly, all those people, inspired by whose work you have reached this milestone, will be there with you on the same stage accepting this honor. Thank you so much and I am grateful for this great honor. We have reached here only because of the love and trust you all have in us.

हा प्रवास खूप आनंददायी होता. १२ वर्षांपूर्वी आम्ही तिघांनी विचारही केला नव्हता की हा प्रवास इतका मोठा होईल आणि अनेक वळणे घेत घेत इथे पोहोचेल. सर्वात महत्त्वाचं म्हणजे, ज्यांच्या कामातून प्रेरणा घेऊन आम्ही इथपर्यंत पोहोचलो आहोत, ते सर्वजण आज आमच्यासोबत एकाच मंचावर हा पुरस्कार स्वीकारत आहेत. या मोठ्या सन्मानाबद्दल खूप खूप धन्यवाद आणि आभार. तुमच्या सगळ्यांच्या प्रेमामुळे आणि विश्वासामुळेच आम्ही इथपर्यंत पोहोचलो आहोत.

26/02/2025

This journey has been incredibly pleasant. 12 years ago, the three of us never imagined that this journey would take so many turns and reach this point. And most importantly, all those people, inspired by whose work you have reached this milestone, will be there with you on the same stage accepting this honor. Thank you so much and we are grateful for this great honor. We have reached here only because of the love and trust you all have in us.

हा प्रवास खूप आनंददायी आहे. १२ वर्षांपूर्वी आम्ही तिघांनी विचारही केला नव्हता की हा प्रवास इतका मोठा होईल आणि अनेक वळणे घेत घेत इथे पोहोचेल. सर्वात महत्त्वाचं म्हणजे, ज्यांच्या कामातून प्रेरणा घेऊन आम्ही इथपर्यंत पोहोचलो आहोत, ते सर्वजण आज आमच्यासोबत एकाच मंचावर हा पुरस्कार स्वीकारत आहेत. या मोठ्या सन्मानाबद्दल खूप खूप धन्यवाद आणि आभार. तुमच्या सगळ्यांच्या प्रेमामुळे आणि विश्वासामुळेच आम्ही इथपर्यंत पोहोचलो आहोत.