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“MICRO CONSTRUCTION FOR FUTURE”

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the academic requirement of

Graduation in Architecture.

By Nitya Dixit

0809AR191056

Under the Guidance of

Ar. Mohd. Simroz khan

School Of Architecture

IPS Academy, Indore

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartily gratitude and acknowledge
the contributions to all those who enabled me to complete and present this dissertation
work.
First, I am grateful to my guide Ar. Mohd. Simroz khan for guiding me for the proper
methodology of the research. I am thankful to our coordinators Ar. Anugya Sharan
and Ar. Yashika Garg for their valuable guidance.
I am also thankful to my other faculty members of our college who contributed to my
dissertation by their advice. Moreover, I am thankful to my parents for their
encouragement and financial support and friends for emotional support that leads me
to the completion of this work.
I must express my deep gratitude towards our H.O.D. Prof. Ar. Manita Saxena for
providing us proper guidance.

Nitya Dixit Submitted to

B.Arch. VII Sem Ar. Mohd. Simroz khan
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STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY & ETHICS DECLARATION

I declare that the research entitled “Micro Construction for Future” is the Bonafede
research work carried out by me, under the guidance of Ar. Mohd. Simroz khan,
further I declare that this has not been previously formed the basis of award of any
degree, diploma, associateship or other similar degrees or diplomas and has not been
submitted anywhere else. I hereby, give consent for my dissertation, if accepted, to be
available for photocopy and inter-library loan, and for the title and summary to be made
available to other organizations.

Place: Indore Nitya Dixit

Date: 5/12/2022 B.Arch. VII Sem

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CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the dissertation entitled “Micro Construction for Future” is the
Bonafede work of Nitya Dixit, in partial fulfilment of the academic requirements for
the award of “Bachelors of Architecture Degree”. This work is carried out by her, Under
my guidance and supervision.

Ar. Mohd. Simroz khan

Place: Indore
Date: 5/12/2022
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 ...........................................................................................................8-11
1.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 8
1.2 History...................................................................................................................... 9
1.2.1 Influence ........................................................................................................... 10
1.2.2 Sound ................................................................................................................ 10
1.3 Need for topic ....................................................................................................... 10
1.4 Aim ....................................................................................................................... 10
1.5 Objective ............................................................................................................... 10
1.6 Scope ..................................................................................................................... 10
1.7 Limitation .............................................................................................................. 11
1.8 Methodology ......................................................................................................... 11

CHAPTER 2: WHAT IS MICRO APARTMENTS ..........................................12-21

2.1 How a Micro Apartment Works ............................................................................ 12
2.2 Where are micro-apartments most popular? .......................................................... 13
2.3 What is driving the growth of micro-apartments? ................................................. 13
2.4 Who is renting micro-apartments? ........................................................................ 14
2.5 Pros and Cons of Micro Apartments ...................................................................... 14
2.5.1 Pros Explained ........................................................................................ 15
2.5.2 Cons Explained ....................................................................................... 15
2.6 Making a Micro unit for everyone ......................................................................... 16
2.7 Features that can make a micro-apartment appear bigger ..................................... 16
2.8 Difference between Efficiency Apartment and Studio Apartment ........................ 17
2.8.1 Efficiency Apartment ............................................................................. 17
2.8.2 Studio Apartment ................................................................................... 17
2.8.3 Difference ............................................................................................... 17
2.8.4 Why Should You Choose an Efficiency Apartment? ............................ 18
2.8.5Studio vs. Efficiency Apartment Bottom Line ........................................ 19
2.9 Types of Micro Living ........................................................................................... 19
2.9.1 Co-living ................................................................................................. 20
2.9.2 micro units .............................................................................................. 20
2.9.3 Studios..................................................................................................... 20
2.9.4 Traditional ............................................................................................... 21
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CHAPTER 3: A HOUSE WITH BENEFITS ..................................................... 22-31

3.1 Financial benefits ................................................................................................... 22
3.2 No Landlord Hassel .............................................................................................. 22
3.3 Emotional Security .......................................................................................... 22
3.4 No Uncertainty ....................................................................................................... 22
3.5 No compromise .................................................................................................. 23
3.6 Tax Benefits ........................................................................................................... 23
3.7 Building your own Assets ............................................................................... 23

3.8 Home office ........................................................................................................... 23

3.9 Intimate Living Space ............................................................................................ 23

3.10 Improves Your Relationship Dynamics ............................................................... 24

3.11 Living Simple....................................................................................................... 24

3.12 Natural Disaster ................................................................................................... 25

3.13 Case study (2) ................................................................................................ 25-31

CHAPTER 4: FACTORS AFFECTING APARTMENTS IN INDIA ............. 32-42

4.1 Rising Population Of Micro Apartments ............................................................... 32
4.1.1 Location .................................................................................................. 32
4.1.2 Less Is More ............................................................................................ 32
4.1.3 Flexibility and Freedom .......................................................................... 32
4.2 Factors affecting valuation of property .................................................................. 33

4.2.1Location ................................................................................................... 33

4.2.2Infrastructure ............................................................................................ 33

4.2.3Commercial establishments ..................................................................... 33

4.2.4Purchasing capacity ................................................................................. 33

4.2.5Land availability ...................................................................................... 33

4.2.6Supply and demand .................................................................................. 34

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4.2.7Trio of property prices, interest rates and income ................................... 34

4.2.8Structure ................................................................................................... 34

4.2.9Size and external view ............................................................................. 34

4.2.10Customized property demands higher value .......................................... 34

4.3 Survey .................................................................................................................... 35

4.4 Current Form of Living .......................................................................................... 36

4.5 Living Arrangement ............................................................................................... 37

4.6 House Hold Income ............................................................................................... 37

4.7 Primary Method of Transportation ........................................................................ 38

4.8 Interest of Moving In a Micro Apartment.............................................................. 39

4.9 Undesirable Features of the Concept ..................................................................... 40

4.10 Importance of Apartment Features .................................................................40-42

CHAPTER 5: STRATEGIES FOR DESIGINING A AFFORDABLE

APARTMENT COMPLEX ................................................................................. 43-45

5.1 Micro Housing ....................................................................................................... 43

5.2 More Common Spaces ........................................................................................... 43

5.3 Modular Construction ............................................................................................ 44

5.3 Using Unconventional Land .................................................................................. 44

5.4 Improved Ventilation and Energy Efficiency ........................................................ 45

5.5 Making Expanding Easy ........................................................................................ 45

CHAPTER 6: INNOVATIVE IDEAS FOR MICRO APARTMENTS ...........46-58

6.1 Make Multitasking Pieces Work Hard ................................................................... 46
6.2 Contain it by Using Containers .............................................................................. 47
6.3 Multifunctional Furniture for Micro Living ..................................................... 47-58

CHAPTER 07: CAE STUDIES ...........................................................................59-67

CHAPTER 08: CONCLUSION................................................................................ 68
CHAPTER 09: BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................... 69
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

Architecture has always been an ever-changing area of study. A wide range of methods
and techniques are introduced on a daily basis, which assists the gradual enhancement
of this field. However, it is not just confined to designing appealing buildings it also
involves tackling the current crisis faced by a large number of individuals. Housing
shortage is one such crisis and in a country like India, which has succumbed to
population explosion over the past couple of years, this crisis needs immediate solution.

POPULATION GROWTH GRAPH

Fig: 1.1
Micro apartments in simple terms are defined as a
small studio apartment typically less than 350 sq. ft. with a fully functionally and
accessibility compliant kitchen and bathroom. The appeal of a micro apartment is
largely about economics but place privacy is all part of the equations.
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 The concept of micro housing encourages making the innovation of maximum

functional area in a minimum footprint, thus redefining the process of sustainability
in urban dwellings.
 The plans implemented in the micro units have optimum space utilization, neglects
luxurious space wasted in apartments.
 It talks about the generation of communication in the projects by means of amenities
space and recreational spaces keeping in mind urban anthropology.

HISTORY
The evolution of housing in India has gone through immense transformations over the
years, owing to its vast history and diverse geographical, social, and cultural settings.
They give an insight into the reforms and the developments that the society has
undergone, the structure and fabric it has achieved, and the architecture that has evolved
through the process.
The tiny house movement is enjoying something of a renaissance at the moment, with
a move towards minimalism (or a move away from consumerism) combining perfectly
with clever space-saving designs leading to a growth in tiny homes: buildings which
are 400 square foot (37 square meters) in size.
In 1000 BC, “Yurts” or “Gers” were established in Mongolia as practical small mobile
homes. In 500 BC, Native Americans used tipis, small houses that were not only
portable but also waterproof and extremely heat-resistant. In the 1800s, “Shot Gun
Houses” with heavy Haitian influences emerged in the south.

The average house size for a family used to be around 1,780 square feet in 1978. This
almost doubled in 2007 when the average family household grew to 2,662 square feet
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for a normal house size. While material wealth still means a lot, many families have
chosen to downsize their homes for economic or other reasons.
This paper aims to study the shift in demographics that have occurred rapidly over the
past decades and the nature of demographics that also have changed. This paper aims
at highlighting the need of micro apartments in cities like Mumbai. It focuses on the
types of customers who prefer to reside in micro apartments to the other residential
projects and sheds light on the various planning techniques implemented to achieve
maximum space utilization.

 INFLUENCES
Micro house’s main influences are techno, bit pop and deep house. Chords are modal
or dissonant than other mainstream house genres, creating a similar vibe to deep house.
Arrangement are typically longer, drawing from progressive house structure. Sonically,
micro house draws from the digital sound palette of techno.

 SOUND
The micro house sound palette consists of bit-sounding (digital) rhythmic elements,
often with a less prominent or non-existent bottom-end. Melodically, techno-style
synths, electric pianos, pads, and industrial sounds are often used with soft vocals. As
the name suggests, micro house thrives in minimalism, where swells of sound exist to
emphasize the silence that ensues.

AIM
To analyse the need and importance for micro housing in the densely populated cities
of India like Mumbai and Pune etc.

OBJECTIVES

 To develop a better understanding space for utilization.

 To analyse the elements, need for Micro Housing.
 To understand properties and functionality of spaces.
 To understand the types requirements for micro living.
 To analyse material and techniques used for housing.

NEED
The concept of micro housing encourages making the innovation of maximum
functional area in a minimum footprint, thus redefining the process of sustainability in
urban dwellings. The plans implemented in the micro units have optimum space
utilization, neglects luxurious space wasted in apartments.

SCOPE
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The population of India has been growing at a fast pace and given its large population
base, the quantum of population being added every year is the largest for any country.
Housing construction is one of the most important sectors of the Indian economy and
will become more and more important in coming years. If supply constraints do not get
in the way, it has the potential to not only satisfy a key requirement, but also to pull the
economy on a higher growth path.

LIMITATIONS
Design single unit with compact space planning and limited material palette. Use of
limited material as per economic affordability and no further exploration on new
materials or technology.
Design solutions and interior elements are influenced by the economic affordability of
the user. Design solution allows exploring the flexibility of furniture in vernacular
materials. New system of the furniture production and material flexibility and
compatibility can be explored.

METHODOLOGY:

This research paper uses empirical study as the approach will give a potential output in
providing an insight towards the design strategies of micro living for better
comfortability and understand the impact of these design elements towards the mental
well-being of the occupants.
IDEAS, INNOVATIONS

• Financial Benefits
HOUSINGING WITH • Types
BENEFITS • Differences

• Location
FACTORS AFFECTING • Structure
• Amenities

• Material
DESIGINING • Techniques
• Construction

• People Age Requirements

SUREVY/ CASE STUDY • Data Collection
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CHAPTER 2

WHAT IS MICRO APARTMENTS

Micro Housing is defined by its space. Micro apartments are smaller than average
studios intended for a single or doubled resident accommodation. Ultra-efficient design
packs a kitchen, bathroom, and other necessities into a unit of 200 to 350 square feet,
while high ceilings and large windows create the illusion of space. Unlike micro
housing affordable housing does not have the space constraint, a single residential unit
can range from 250sq.ft. To 1200sq. ft. All age groups of people use it whereas micro
apartments are mainly found useful to the unmarried working class and student on one
side of the spectrum and the elderly on the other side of the age spectrum.

FIG: INTERIOR OF A STANDARD MICRO APARTMENT

Many micro- unit buildings provide common areas where residents can relax and
socialize. Some are designed for co-living, in which your bedroom is private, but all
other amenities are shared with other residents. Thriving communities, appealing
amenities, and prime locations balance out micro- apartment’s small size. With the
buildings as their living room and the city as their backyard, residents often only return
to their rooms at night. However, the major disadvantage of existing micro apartments
built in Europe and western world is the pricing.
If we were to charge on a similar basis, it would not solve the issues that plaguing our
nation a country where economic imbalance is still an issue. This is where our country
needs to implement the pricing and schemes implemented in affordable housing.

 How a Micro Apartment Works

Rising land value and construction costs in cities, coupled with a desire to maintain
affordable rent prices relative to tenant incomes, have led developers to
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Shift focus from larger, lower-density apartments to smaller and higher-density ones
that generate more revenue per square foot. The result has been a boom in the
construction of smaller-than-average rental units known as micro apartments in cities
from coast to coast, such as Pune, Mumbai and Noida etc.

Micro apartments usually measure less than 350 square feet, though they can range in
size from 150 to 500 square feet depending on the location. In addition, metro cities or
busy areas have laws in place that limit the minimum size of a studio apartment.

The essential amenities of any apartment—a bathroom, kitchen area, living space, and
sleeping space—are packed into the minimal area using multifunctional or flexible
furniture and storage, such as movable kitchen islands and sofas that convert into
Murphy beds. Some micro apartments also feature communal spaces such as lounges,
gyms, pools, rooftop decks, and other outdoor spaces that give tenants additional space
to use beyond their unit as well as the ability to socialize without leaving home.

Micro apartments can be rented for oneself or purchased as investment properties and
rented out to others. They tend to attract young single professionals as tenants—people
who are just starting out in their careers and may have just moved to a new city. These
individuals may not have accumulated much furniture or other possessions at this point,
making a micro apartment an ideal place to begin their future as the minimal space they
offer might be sufficient.

 Where are micro-apartments most popular?

Micro-apartments tend to be more numerous and are more coveted in densely populated
urban landscapes where housing tends to be more scarce and more expensive. Thus, it
makes sense that micro-apartments have been popping up over the past few years in
major (and pricey) cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Noida and Pune etc. providing
renters with a more compact living space in a prime location. Think cities with a high
cost of living, and that is where you will find the largest concentrations of micro-
apartments.

 What is driving the growth of micro-apartments?

 As metro cities, expand with increasing population, so does the corresponding

establishment of civic and social infrastructure. “Nevertheless, a majority of people
prefer to stay in the heart of the cities, for various reasons, such as connectivity,
familiar environment, access to social and cultural amenities, proximity to
workplace and schools, etc. With cost being a major factor in such locations,
families prefer to invest in micro homes. Smaller unit sizes also call for efficient
space management.
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 Modern clients also look for amenities such as club house, games area, jogging
tracks, swimming pools, children’s play area, etc., which cater to their aspirations
and needs. In this context, luxury micro homes provide for the maximum utilisation
of available space, design acumen and comfort. “Buyers want high-quality compact
units, without any compromise on facilities and hence, look for developments with
all the lifestyle-centric services and good connectivity. Even for high-end
homebuyers, these boutique luxury flats have an appeal, due to its location, financial
feasibility and comfort.

 Who is renting micro-apartments?

The primary renter pool for a micro-apartment is, unsurprisingly, millennials, who have
historically been priced out of costly rentals in major cities. There is also appeal among
older renters who are looking to downsize. As for who is not renting a micro-apartment,
that would be young families and couples, since limited space for one person means
very limited space for more than one person. In many cases, micro-units are single
occupancy, meaning property managers will not rent them out to more than one person
anyway.
According to the report , one in four renters would consider living in a micro-apartment,
citing benefits like lower rents, preferable locations, reduced utility costs, and the ability
to live alone. In addition, among those who do move into a micro-unit, satisfaction rates
are similar to those who live in conventional apartments; however, they are less
likely to renew their lease.

 Pros and Cons of Micro Apartments

PROS CONS
 Maximizes the number of units in  Higher operating costs
a building

 Higher rental-rate premiums  Targets a niche tenant market

 Higher occupancy rates  Revolving door of tenants

 Attractive to renters for their  Furnishing them can be costly

affordability
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 Ownership opportunity in a
vibrant locale

Pros Explained
Micro apartments are attractive investments for several reasons:

 Maximize the number of units in a building: You can fit more units into your
property, which increases your profit potential.
 Higher rental-rate premiums: Micro apartments tend to garner more rent per
square foot than conventionally sized apartments.
 Higher occupancy rates: Micro apartments also have higher ratios of used space
relative to total space, which can attract new renters and avoid prolonged vacancies.
 Attractive to renters for their affordability: It is cheaper to rent a micro unit than
a traditional studio apartment. As a result, tenants can sustain the living arrangement
for a longer period and may not even need a roommate to pay for part of the rent.
 Ownership opportunity in a vibrant locale: Half the appeal of micro units is in
their location in vibrant, major metropolitan areas that offer numerous attractions
and amenities for both property owners and tenants.

Cons Explained

The drawbacks of micro apartments include:

 Higher operating costs: The ongoing operating costs are typically higher for micro
apartments than standard ones because the property fits more units and may
generate higher bills for utilities, waste disposal, and other services.
 Target a niche tenant market: Young single professionals, couples who want to
downsize, or older individuals who seek a dwelling for occasional use may be
willing to sacrifice square footage to live in a vibrant urban area. However, the
allure of a micro apartment may not extend beyond these markets.
 Revolving door of tenants: Despite their high occupancy rates, micro units are still
subject to turnover. Because the units are utilitarian, young professionals may treat
them as starter homes. When they save up enough money, they may move on to a
bigger, more amenity-rich apartment, and you will need to yet again find and adjust
to a new tenant.
 Furnishing them can be costly: The Urban Land Institute found that 55% of
renters are interested in micro apartments with multifunctional furniture. Of course,
to meet that demand, you as the property owner will need to furnish the apartment
at least partially, which can be costly.
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Making a micro-unit work for everyone

Just because a space is small does not mean that it cannot be stylish and functional.
Here are some quick design tips that can help optimize the available square feet in a
micro-unit:

 Invest in dual-purpose furniture: Couches that turn into beds and coffee tables
that turn into desks are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to innovative
furniture that can do more than meets the eye. If you are looking at pricier options,
just make sure that it is an item you would use outside of a micro-apartment too.
 Play around with colour: Light paint colours help make a room feel larger, so skip
the dark paint if you are able to customize your unit. From there, you can use texture
and colour contrasts to build dimension into the room.
 Go for a loft bed: Elevate your bed and turn the space underneath into a seating,
dining or office area. Not only does this greatly increase your space, but it can also
be preferable to having to remake your bed every night as if you might have to do
with a pull-out.
 Get creative with storage: Do not fill every spare foot with storage (after all, you
do still need to be able to walk around), but do try to take advantage of extra storage
space wherever you can, such as behind the couch and on top of the fridge.
 Have less stuff: Instead of trying to fit a ton of stuff into a small space, limit what
you bring in the first place. We could all probably do with fewer belongings, so
before you move go through your things and donate, toss or recycle anything that
you no longer have a use for. After you move in, you might find that you can do
with even less.

A big benefit of a micro-apartment is that you do not have to spend a lot to make it all
your own. Have fun with your decorating and play around with colour and art. There is
a ton of opportunity to let your personality shine.

Features that can make a micro-apartment appear bigger

Physically small, micro-apartments can seem bigger if they have certain features. When
looking for a micro-apartment, consider the features that create the illusion of space:

 Built-in storage. Off-the-ground vertical shelving will save some floor space and
can hold your stuff out of sight.
 Foldable furniture. Chairs, tables and a bed you can fold and stash away when you
are not using them can optimize your living space.
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 Outdoor space. Decks, rooftops, balconies and patios will all open up the
apartment and give you more roaming space.
 Lots of natural light. The more windows the better. In addition, the bigger they
are the more natural light you will enjoy.
 High ceilings. What a micro-apartment cannot get in square footage it can
compensate for by having a high ceiling, giving you the feeling of not being boxed
in.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EFFICIENCE APARTMENT AND

STUDIO APARTMENT

 Efficiency Apartment
An efficiency apartment is a type of studio that typically contains a single room and
a have separate bathroom. The main room in an efficiency apartment serves as both
your living room and sleeping area, and includes your kitchen, although many
efficiency units only have small kitchenettes with fewer appliances than a full-size
kitchen. An efficiency apartment can also often be called a one-room studio or
occasionally “single room occupancy” (SRO). Efficiency apartments are common
in large urban areas and high-cost cities, where demand exceeds supply.

 Studio Apartment
A studio apartment is an apartment in which your living space and sleeping area are
located within one single room. Studios also typically include a separate kitchen
area and bathroom, although in some studios the kitchen is located within the main
living space.

DIFFERENCE The major differences between an efficiency apartment and a studio

are that efficiency units tend to be smaller apartments than studios and that studios
typically have larger and better-equipped kitchens.

 Size
Efficiency apartments tend to be significantly smaller than studios. They are often
less than 300 square feet in total size, whereas studios average around 450 square
feet.

 Layout
Efficiency apartments typically have an enclosed kitchen and bathroom, and
sometimes a dining area and/or closet part in the living space. The exterior walls of
efficiency units sometimes include at least one built-in unit, such as a desk or
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shelves. Studio apartments sometimes feature spacious designs with high ceilings.
Those high ceilings allow for designs to include loft bedrooms or a combination
bedroom and bathroom. Even though the rest of the space is open, the loft provides
a little extra privacy.
 Rent
Due to their smaller size, efficiency units tend to be have lower rents than studio
apartments. If you have a tight budget, efficiency units may be more affordable.

 Kitchen
Unlike studios, which typically have a full kitchen, efficiency units often have a
small kitchen or a kitchenette. While these areas are not always enclosed and exist
within the same room as the living area, they usually have some counter space
where you can prepare and eat meals.

 Availability
Efficiency units are often more common than studios and exist in most large
apartment buildings. Even though a studio and efficiency apartment each have only
one main living area, their layouts differ. In a studio, you’ll usually find a full-size
kitchen in the main living space, plus a bathroom in a separate room. Efficiencies
have a separate area for a bathroom, but there is less separation between the kitchen
and living area. For example, in a studio, you might see a set of cabinets that enclose
the refrigerator, which helps create separation from the rest of the space.
Efficiencies tend to have smaller appliances due to the space limitations.

 Location
Efficiencies and studios are both often located where space is at a premium.
However, if your goal is to live in a highly desirable part of the city, that is where
you can find more efficiency apartments. Efficiency apartments tend to be close to
a city’s centre. The combination of more affordable pricing and proximity
remaining to business districts makes them coveted in these areas.

Why Should You Choose an Efficiency Apartment?

 Flexibility
Efficiency units can be combined! It is possible to connect them to form larger units
(just as if you could merge two 1-bedroom units). For example, suppose a couple is
not ready for a 2-bedroom, but you want more space than a studio. You could rent
one efficiency unit and combine it with another to create a larger apartment at a
lower price per square foot overall.

 Affordability
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Efficiency apartments are affordable housing options for singles or couples with no
children who want a small, simple place to call home. An efficiency unit could be
a great option if you fall into this category and cannot afford a studio.

 Availability
In many markets, studios are so popular that many smaller apartments have been
converted to studios. Therefore, while there are efficiency units available, you may
have a hard time finding a studio in your price range. On the other hand, a high
percentage of older buildings have one-room efficiencies, and if your budget is
tight, you might find more options for these types of apartments in your price range.

 Building Type
If you are looking for an apartment in a mid- or high-rise building, studios are often
not allowed, so efficiency units are your best bet.

 Privacy
Many efficiency apartments have more oversized windows than most studio
apartments, which give the units a more airy and brighter feel. It is also reasonably
common for efficiency units to have private balconies, which studios rarely do.

 Lower Maintenance
Since the unit is smaller, you will be spending less time cleaning it. In addition,
since many efficiency units are older buildings, they tend to have higher ceilings
and more windows from which the sun can shine. Efficiency apartments may not
have as much space as a larger apartment would, but they offer a compromise
between affordability, simplicity, and cleanliness that is worth considering.

 Lower Utility
Bills a person living in a studio apartment has less square footage and, therefore,
lower heating, cooling, and lighting energy needs. Thus, efficiency units tend to
have lower utility bills than studios or larger apartments.

Studio vs. Efficiency Apartment Bottom Line

There is no question that efficiency apartments are smaller than studios, but there are a
few good reasons why this is often the better choice. Efficiency units are an excellent
choice for singles and couples who want to live in smaller apartments. They may be
more difficult to find than studios, but if you can find one that meets your needs, they
can provide affordable housing options, making them a better option than more
expensive studio apartments.

TYPES OF MICRO LIVING

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CO LIVING
Co living is a residential community living model that accommodates three or more
biologically unrelated people living in the same dwelling unit, facilitated by a
professional host. Generally, co living is a lifestyle centered on an intentional
community that provides shared housing for people with similar values or intentions.
Co living spaces are well designed, fully furnished, with utensils and utilities covered
by one bill.

Flexible, convenient, and affordable co living homes with friends included.

-- Living together is better --

Co-living options in India are springing up in metro cities close to office hubs.
Individuals who come to metro cities looking for work or education prefer to live close
to their office or institution. For instance, the key areas in Bengaluru such as Bellandur,
HSR Layout, Electronic City and Mahadevapura have seen a spurt in co-living options.
The Indian demand for co-living is being driven by high prices of real estate, increasing
number of digital nomads and solitary lifestyles, which lead people to seek the company
of like-minded folk.
Why is it important?

The concept of co-living relies on the fact that a working individual typically spends
close to 9 hours a day at his or her workplace and less than 30 minutes in the kitchen
and living area. In co-living, areas such as kitchen, utility space, lounge area are shared
as common areas of among residents, with each resident allotted a private bedroom and
bathroom. This helps share utility bills with other residents, bringing down the rental
cost per person. Co-living not only brings down costs, but also ensures privacy and
security

MICRO UNITS

Micro-units have widely varying definitions depending on the cities in which they are
built. This is in part due to building code variations between cities but is also
attributable to the market’s increasing acceptance of smaller units. Typically, a micro-
unit consists of a one-room living space designed to include seating, a bed, a bathroom,
storage, and a kitchenette, with possible access to communal amenities. In urban areas,
these small units can provide benefits to both the developer and the renter. Although
typically more expensive to build as a cost-per-square-foot calculation, with more
kitchen and bathroom fixtures in a smaller area, the additional rental income more than
offsets the added construction cost.

STUDIOS
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The studio apartment is a newly built living space, which is aesthetically pleasing. It is
a self-contained space, which has everything, only the washroom is separate. In India,
studio apartments are more famous in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and
Chennai. For some, it might be a limited area with no such concept of separate rooms.
Therefore, just because you are living in a studio apartment does not mean you have to
compromise any standard of living. We have compiled a list of some design tips &
tricks, which various homebuyers use to make the maximum use of their studio
apartments.

TRADITIONAL

Traditionally Indians lived in the joint family system. Many occupants of the house and
their interpersonal relationships demanded clearly distinguished spaces for different
activities. There were private and public zones in the house with the courtyard as its
nucleus. These houses were very high on the sustainable quotient. They were designed
to suit the climate, the anthropometry, the Vaastu Shastra and used local building
materials and techniques for construction.

Many theorists and distinguished architects like Hassan Fathy have promoted the
underlying concepts on traditional architecture to form contemporary design. However,
in the present scenario, the traditional building has been replaced by fast-growing
concrete jungles, which are not sustainable or sensitive towards the natural calamities
and microclimatic conditions.
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CHAPTER 03

A HOUSE WITH BENEFITS

A home is much more than just four walls and a roof. It ki ndles a range of
emotions and thoughts in us. To some, it is a sense of security; to some, it
is about comfort and to others, it is a symbol of status and accomplishment.
Nevertheless, there is also the other aspect of a home to contend with. It is
to do with numbers. The monetary aspect too is important as buying a
home is often the biggest financial transaction in an average Indian’s life.
To rent or buy is a decision that many grapple wit h.

 Financial benefits
How much space in your home do you dedicate to storing things you rarely, if ever,
use? Probably more than you would like to admit. Now, imagine if you only had enough
space to store your necessities and a few meaningful keepsakes? That is the reality of
living in a tiny house. Living in a small space is on ongoing process of determining the
difference between needs and wants, and making purchasing decisions based on that.
According to the Tiny House Society, homes that qualify as tiny are usually between
100-400 square feet in size. Since 2014, they have more than doubled in popularity.

 No Landlord Hassel

When you have a home of your own, you are in control. You do not have to
deal with a property owner be it minor repairs or a comp lete overhaul of
your entire home, living on rent is a pain in many ways. You are dependent
on the property owner for water, electricity, maintenance and almost
everything else.

 Emotional Security

When you purchase a house, you provide your family their very own space,
a home. At the end of a long day at work coupled with tiresome commute
and continual stress, returning to your own nest brings alive a sense of
security and comfort which is simply irreplaceable. After all, there is no
place like ‘home’ where you can be truly at ease and just be yourself.

 No Uncertainty
With your own home, there are no fear and anxiety that is caused by the
possibility of an untimely termination of the lease agreement by the
property owner. To add to this, there is no hassl e of renewing the rent
agreement every year and renegotiating on rent repeatedly.
 23

 No compromise

Rent is an expense and the general tendency is to reduce expenditure.

Therefore, you may end up compromising on several aspects such as
location, size and amenities. On the other hand, when you buy a house, you
will ensure that your chosen property meets your expectations.

 Tax Benefits
Your home loan principal and interest repayment fetch you attractive tax
breaks. In addition, remember, renting actually is more expensive than just
the rent you pay. Your cost is higher since you are not earning any interest
on the deposit amount paid to the property owner (which is quite high in
premium locations) throughout the lease term.

 Building your own Assets

Instead of paying rent, which is a pure expenditure, you may pay the home
loan EMI thereby building your own asset over time. Effectively, with every
EMI that you pay, your equity in your home goes up.

 Home office

The work-at-home phenomenon may not vanish after the pandemic fades, which means
more of us will need a home office. The right setup makes a difference in comfort and
productivity. Those needing that work-at-home space can find it on the market – if they
act quickly.

 Intimate Living Space

Living in a big house? It can seem fun at first, but the large space and messy clutter also
create a void between the people living in that home. There could be days where you
do not interact with your spouse or your kids as everyone spends time in their rooms,
separate from the others. Small living space. It is almost impossible to not interact with
one another in this type of home and that is great!
Now you can enjoy some intimacy with your family. You can spend more time with
your spouse, you can interact more with your kids, and everyone gets to spend mealtime
with one another.

A solution to help control monthly costs so that you can pay off debt put money into
savings and live comfortably. The best part of living in a Tiny House can be of long-
term or short-term duration; it is totally up to you and your financial goals. Either way,
 24

the gift that Tiny Homes give you is time and control: the time to pay off debt and the
control to cut down costs.

Improves Your Relationship Dynamics

 Relationships suffer immensely when people are stressed about money, impending
foreclosures, or long work hours and commutes.
 Living outside one’s means is a sure-fire way to create unnecessary stress. At the
end of the day, when people are tired and drained, that penned up tension is often
taken out on those who are closest.
 Honest and vulnerable communication is a major component of a happy and
successful relationship. This way of interacting is fostered in a tiny space, and we
would argue that a large one hampers it.
 A lot has been written on the topic of how to create a joyous life, and all of it points
to the same sentiment: a happy and fulfilling life is one in which a person prioritizes
her relationships and connections, and focuses on the things she loves.
 The way to achieve that level of closeness is through communication and
connection.
 On the other hand, living in an affordable tiny house can have a positive effect on a
strained family dynamic.
 When you live within your means, financial fear goes away, and you have time and
energy to pursue the things that you are passionate about. Your sense of humor, joy,
patience, and kindness increase, and you have a chance to thrive in a way that’s not
possible when you’re buried under stress.

Living Simply
 Thousands upon thousands of others have realized that contentment has nothing to
do with material possessions or large homes.
 Tiny homeowners are learning that by living with the least, we are experiencing the
most. In fact, we are finding that too much stuff stifles our ability to feel joy because
material things, in excess, serve as a distraction.
 Living the tiny house lifestyle will allow to share some wonderful values in daily
life work. People will be raising in an environment where happiness is not locked
into the acquisition of material possessions and they are given the opportunity to
learn positive communication skills as well.
 They all help to make each other the best versions of ourselves by focusing on
balance, joy, and life experiences.
 Living simply isn’t about surviving with as little as possible, but rather, about
removing the extraneous so that the important things have a chance to shine and be
appreciated. When money and time are not spent on unnecessary items, resources
free up for things that really do matter.
 25

 Leonardo da Vinci knew it even back in 1452 when he said, “Simplicity is the
ultimate sophistication.”

Natural Disasters
The rate of natural disasters around the globe has increased significantly. In 1970, 78
natural disasters were reported in 2004, there were 348. There has been an 80 percent
increase in climate-related disasters between 1980 and 2009. Every year, an average of
25 million people are displaced by weather-related disasters. Tiny houses on wheels are
unique in that they can be moved easily in the face of a natural disaster, sometimes in
a matter of minutes. Unfortunately, certain weather disasters such as tornados and
earthquakes appear without much warning at all. However, events such as hurricanes,
floods, typhoons, tsunamis, and forest fires can often have minutes, hours, or even days
of warning of their approach. This is often more than enough time for a Tiny House on
Wheels to be packed up with its contents stowed for travel, and driven away to safe
ground.

CASE STUDY 01

Take a 4-storey terrace house, and convert into 14 micro apartments?

With escalating rents in big cities, micro living is one solution. Here is how interior
architect Laura Encinas designed these mini homes with maximum impact.
 26

The brief from the property owner was to create high quality acccomodation, a homely
atmosphere and to maximise storage.

In just 18 square meters, there is a living area, sleeping space, kitchenette, walk-in
shower room and heaps of storage: The double bed is located on a mini-mezzanine -
reached by stairs, which house a pullout table for dining or workspace. The kitchen
incorporates a fridge, hob and oven/microwave, with extra shelves tucked behind
foldable doors. More storage can be found under the bed, side cupboard and overhead
units.
 27

Interior finishes include black oak and smoked walnut for the living areas, with
porcelain tiles in the walk-in shower. Our Canopy wallcovering has been selected as a
feature in each apartment. The space feels uncluttered, welcoming and warm.

CASE STUDY 2
Goa Micro Housing – An unbuilt housing
The boost in the Indian economy has led to many experimentations in the housing
sector as well, encouraging developers to come up with new ideas to capture the
imagination and interests of buyers. The brief was to design small studi o sized
apartments that could be looked at as a venue for investment or an alternate home
away from home for shorter durations. The project was conceptualized primarily
to target the second homebuyers for temporary, occasional or intermittent stay
in Goa.
 28

Set on a hill in Reis Margos- a small village on the northern bank of Mandovi
River in Goa, the site facing east, brought about an interesting challenge to build
on the heavily contoured topography.

PROCESS DIAGRAM
The Goa Micro Housing was conceived as a bird’s nest with a center cozy core,
surrounded by thicker protective layers and nestled within the greenery of the
hill. This central core is a secure but shared space within the confines of the
housing units that are pushed to the periphery. The intent was to create a central
con course that not only becomes a very public space or doubles up as a viewing
deck looking out and beyond the units but also visually connects the road with
the hill in the backdrop.

THE STAIRCASE PROVIDED TO AVOID HILL CUTTING

 29

OPEN CENTRAL SPACES TOWARDS THE EAST

 30

The front portion of the site had almost 1:5 slope to work with and prompted us
to stagger the units vertically along the depth of the site. This was done carefully
to avoid cutting of the hill at any point and keep the ground pure, except for bare
minimum excavations required for footings.
There are total 37 units of single bed and double bed wrapping around the central
open space. The basic unit is a studio apartment of 6mx6m module comprising
of a small kitchenette, a living area, a bedroom and a bathroom. The larger option
is a duplex or a double unit with twice the area. It comprises of a kitchen, two
bedrooms and a dining and living area opening out to a terrace.

The units are stacked vertically along the slope and staggered to not create one
large imposing mass from the road and opens up the central space towards the
east. The staggering of units resulted in large terraces that act as private gardens
and viewing galleries for duplex units. The unit sizes were deliberately kept tight
with no semi-covered spaces attached to it but that enabled us to create a larger
community space in this small precinct.

It would act as a space for social congregation, gatherings and small activities.
The passages on the different levels are staggered to create a visual link between
the floors.

The base of the built mass would be in form finished RCC, strongly anchoring
the mass to the ground. The laterite wrap around the built, profiled to mimic and
accentuate the hill it sits on, stays true to Goa is building heritage. The laterite
surface is punctured by an organized yet seemingly random set of fenestrations.

The laterite wrap is lowered at various points to open up the terraces of duplex
units, enabling clear view around.

ELEVATION OF GOA HOUSING

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Floor plans
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CHAPTER 04
FACTORS AFFECTING APARTMENTS IN INDIA

On a micro level, smaller apartments use fewer resources than larger ones and create
less waste. On a macro level, a trend toward micro living could lead to increased
population density and, with any luck, more efficient infrastructure in cities. Moving
toward condensed living helps to curb urban sprawl, resulting in more land
preservation.

Rising Popularity of Micro-Apartments

As people flock to cities for work, scarce land and lack of new construction continue to
drive up rent prices. As a result, many middle-income residents are unable to afford
high-end housing. Enter the rising trend in multifamily housing solutions – the micro
apartment.

 LOCATION
Although micro apartments have no standard definition, the units are typically less than
400 square feet with a fully functioning and accessibility compliant kitchen and
bathroom. Micro apartments provide functionality in a convenient location with heavy
emphasis on amenities available outside the unit itself. Many micro apartment
communities offer shared amenities that often include restaurant-kitchens, dining areas,
lounges, gyms, roof decks, laundry and cleaning services.

 LESS IS MORE
Younger generations have grown up with technology and social media. Their
preferences and lifestyles reflect this change in culture. Some of these people are
saddled with high student loans and realize that adding to that debt is not going to help
them achieve their goals or pursue their passions. Increasingly, city dwellers may be
embracing this tiny trend over other multi-family housing, such as full-size apartments
or condominiums, because they do not need as much room for storage or personal
belongings taking up what storage they do have. Paring down their expenses allows
them to spend their money on what they want or even save for the future, giving them
financial independence at an earlier age.

 FLEXIBILITY AND FREEDOM

Another aspect of modern life is that people may not stay in the same job or city for as
long as they once did. Employees may move to follow a promotion or change careers
and cities more frequently than their parents do or grandparents did. Micro apartments
make it easier for people to pick up and go because they have less to pack and move.
They may have more freedom with leasing as well, especially because tiny living is in
 33

high demand, it may be easier to get out of a lease or afford to leave early with lower
housing costs.

FACTORS AFFECTING VALUATION OF PROPERTY IN INDIA

 Location

This is the first and foremost factor affecting your decision of selecting the property.
The property valuation based on location is directly proportional to the number of
resources, facilities, and amenities. For example, location near as mentioned below

 Commercial hubs
 Railway stations, bus terminals & airports
 Schools and colleges
 Hospitals, clinics, and diagnostics centres
 Playgrounds and sports club
 Shopping malls, grocery stores, and chemists
 Fruits and vegetable markets
 Cafes and restaurants
 Banks and ATMs

 Infrastructure

Few infrastructural developments like railway stations, bus terminals, airports, malls
have already been mentioned earlier. In addition, road developments with end-to-end
connectivity for various amenities and facilities will soar the property value. This is the
most important property valuation factor, which gives an identity to the property
location.

 Commercial establishments
Commercial establishments like IT hubs and business parks in the property location
significantly have an upward impact on the property valuation. In cities like Bangalore,
Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and other TIER I cities, a developed trend of buying a
home near the workplace is seen. This saves a great amount of time, energy, and money.

 Purchasing capacity
A location rich in commercial hubs will generate more revenue and more income for
individuals. This will result in greater spending capacity than a location having
industrial and agricultural zones. Therefore, from a seller’s point of view, affordability
is high and hence there is a rise in property valuation.

 Land availability
When the supply is less and demand is more the price increases, the basic law of supply
and demand. In urban areas and especially in the large metro cities the vacant land
availability is scarce and hence the property value rises. On the contrary, you will come
across several pockets of vacant land in Tier II and Tier III cities where you will find a
slow appreciation of property value.
 34

 Supply and demand

The supply and demand equation is volatile with reference to the time factor. When
there is an increase in the populace in a specific densely structured locality, eventually
it creates more demand. More people would like to buy homes in this locality.
However, due to lesser supply, the property value rises and vice versa.

 Trio of property prices, interest rates and income

This is yet another factor that affects property valuation. If any of these rises to the peak
then there is a significant change in the property market. If the prices of property rise
to the maximum, depending on the location, buyers will check for affordable homes in
other areas. Interest rates are increased then the buying capacity reduces and hence
property demand lowers. Otherwise, when the interest rates are at their low then this
creates greater demand as more people want to buy homes.

Income attaining a peak also plays a big role. For example, in a location thriving with
IT hubs and there is a boom in this industry, the income level rises and hence the
affordability. This creates a surge in the demand and hence the property valuation. This
will also have an effect on its neighbouring localities.

Furthermore, when the nation’s economy or even the state economy has a tall rise then
the income per inhabitant ratio also soars. This also makes an upward impact on
property valuation.

 Structure
The factor of structure has its own presence in affecting property valuation.
The property price depends on material cost and quality, type of structure, and prevalent
rates of labour. However, this factor does not form a major part in the increase or
decrease in property valuation unless exorbitantly expensive materials are used and
processes adopted.

 Size and external view

 Size – More the property area, the higher the price you pay. Hence, the larger
the size more will be the property value.
 External view – If the apartment you plan to buy is giving you a beautiful view
then the value will be high. For example, a sea facing flat or a large open area
and a horizon mountain view.

 Customized property demands higher value

When you ask the developer to make minor or major changes in your prospective
apartment then the value will increase. For example, if you ask for a superior quality of
basic interior like flooring, painting, and roof. In case, you would choose for kitchen
upgrades with upscale equipment, a high-grade kitchen platform, and a landscaped
terrace. All of these changes will increase the price compared to the standard apartment.

SURVEY

 Age Distribution
 35

In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), 37 percent home seekers are in the age
group of 35-45 years, followed by 28 percent in the 45-55 age group. "The fact that
homes are costly here and call for huge down payments even if one avails of home
loans causes a significantly high percentage of home seekers to fall in the latter age
bracket," stated the report. Nearly 16 percent are in the 25-35 age bracket, while another
12 percent (predominantly start-up honchos) fall in the below-25 age group.
In Delhi-NCR, it is the other way around. At least 37 percent home seekers are in the
age group of 45-55 years, followed by 26 percent in 35-45 age bracket.
India's Silicon Valley, Bengaluru has at least 52 percent property seekers in the age-
bracket of 35-45 years. This coincides with the fact that the city has a large population
of professionals seeking home loans. 18 percent of the city's home seekers are in the
age bracket of 45-55 years, and almost 21 percent are below 35 years of age.
In Hyderabad, 39 percent of property seekers are aged between 25 years and 35 years,
and in Pune, this age group constitutes 28 percent. This is because both cities have a
younger population who aspire to own homes early in life. However, in Pune the
maximum (46 percent) share of home seekers are in the 35-45 years age bracket.

 Gender Distribution

In India, a person’s caste, class, religion, and gender directly shape their access to land
and housing – particularly for poor women. For cultural reasons, many women do not
own property, nor do they commonly benefit from joint ownership. They often do not
inherit property. Across India, women are discriminated against, with their rights to
own, access, use, and control land, housing, and property – a phenomenon caused by a
combination of social, political, and legal factors.
Critical progress has been made in the recent years, especially with the launch of the
ambitious Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). The scheme wants to encourage
homeownership amongst women, making it mandatory for a family to have at least one-
woman member registered as the owner of a new house.
Additionally, it is imperative to address the structural causes of the housing crisis for
policies to be effective. Accurate and adequate gender-disaggregated data is very
important in this regard. Given the importance of housing and land for women,
information on the status of ownership/access rights needs to be collected.

Furthermore, gender mainstreaming in housing policies will help create an environment

that will empower and enable women to access safe and affordable housing. Adequate
representation in decision-making processes and large-scale engagement of women,
deliberate and sincere efforts from public agencies, and collaboration and shared vision
of various stakeholders including public, private, and civil society organisations will be
crucial.
 36

Innovative reforms and promotion of alternative approaches that address the critical
linkages between women’s rights to work, food, housing, health, land, security need to
be recognised in law and policy for bringing sustained change, especially in times when
urban poverty, discrimination, and violence against women are intensifying across
India.

CURRENT FORM OF LIVING

 Hierarchy

India is a hierarchical society. Whether in north India or south India, Hindu or Muslim,
urban or village, virtually all things, people, and social groups are ranked according to
various essential qualities. Although India is a political democracy, notions of complete
equality are seldom evident in daily life.

Societal hierarchy is evident in caste groups, amongst individuals, and in family and
kinship groups. Castes are primarily associated with Hinduism, but caste-like groups
also exist among Muslims, Indian, Christians, and other religious communities. Within
most villages or towns, everyone knows the relative rankings of each locally
represented caste, and behaviour is constantly shaped by this knowledge.

Hierarchy plays an important role within families and kinship groupings also, where
men outrank women of similar age, and senior relatives outrank junior relatives. Formal
respect is accorded family members—for example, in northern India, a daughter-in-law
shows deference to her husband, to all senior in-laws, and to all daughters of the
household. Siblings, too, recognize age differences, with younger siblings addressing
older siblings by respectful terms rather than by name.

 Purity and Pollution

Many status differences in Indian society are expressed in terms of ritual purity and
pollution, complex notions that vary greatly among different castes, religious groups,
and regions. Generally, high status is associated with purity and low status with
pollution. Some kinds of purity are inherent; for example, a member of a high-ranking
Brahmin, or priestly, caste is born with more inherent purity than someone born into a
low-ranking sweeper, or scavenger, caste.

 Social Interdependence

One of the great themes pervading Indian life is social interdependence. People are born
into groups—families, clans, sub castes, castes, and religious communities—and feel a
deep sense of inseparability from these groups. People are deeply involved with others,
and for many, the greatest fear is the possibility of being left alone, without social
 37

support. Psychologically, family members typically experience intense emotional

interdependence. Economic activities, too, are deeply imbedded in a social nexus.
Through a multitude of kinship ties, each person is linked with kin in villages and towns
near and far. Almost everywhere, a person goes, he can find a relative from whom he
can expect moral and practical support.

LIVING ARRANGEMENT

In India, elderly parents co-residing with their children can serve a dual purpose:
children can take care of their parents’ health and daily needs, while parents can provide
childcare for young grandchildren. These non-financial aspects of residence typify a
joint living arrangement. Other benefits include those to elder health, particularly in
terms of the relationship between co-residence and self-rated health, chronic and short-
term morbidity. Additionally, multigenerational households allow a pooling of finances
and resources. This can either relieve the household budget constraint in case of strong
pension systems, or exacerbate poverty when most financial support flow is upwards.
For elders that live alone, this financial safety net can disappear, adding a potential
poverty dimension to ageing in India. A longer life span of the elderly implies a longer
period of dependency on children in the traditional Indian family setting, and thus
higher costs to meet healthcare and other needs.

An increase in the older population will lead to an urgent need for elder care and
support, at a time, in India particularly where traditional family-based care is becoming
less the norm than in the past With weak public pension and social security systems
coupled with changing household structures, planning for the elderly especially in terms
of living arrangements is critical. Added to this, is the fact that there are more elderly
women surviving to older ages than their male counterparts do. These women were
married at a time when large spousal age gaps were the norm, as were low female
literacy and labour force participation. Planning for this feminization of aging is thus
very important, as is the need to understand experiences leading to vulnerability in old
age- financial, familial, or health-related.

HOUSE HOLD INCOME

Around 69 per cent of households in India struggle with financial insecurity and
vulnerability and the average income of families is Rs.23, 000 per month, according to
a recent survey. The survey by Money9 provided insights into how India earns, spends
and saves in the country’s first-ever state ranking of citizen financial security.

India’s Personal Finance Pulse maps Indian household’s income, savings, and
investment and spending, said a statement issued by Money9, promoted by TV9
Network. “The survey finds that the average income of an Indian family of 4.2 persons
 38

is Rs.23, 000 per month. Over 46 per cent of Indian families have an income of less
than Rs.15, 000 per month i.e. belong to the aspiring or lowest-income cohort,” the
Money9 Financial Security Index survey stated. “Only 3 per cent of Indian households
have a luxury standard of living and most of them belong to higher income cohorts
(High- Middle and Rich).”

In addition, the survey found that 70 per cent of Indian households do some financial
savings in the form of bank deposits, insurance, post office savings, and gold. The
highest penetration is for bank and post office savings, followed by life insurance and
gold. Over 64 per cent of savings are parked in bank accounts, while only 19 per cent
households have insurance. “The incidence of saving is less prevalent among the
aspiring class. In addition, two-fifths of the Indian households in the same class are
unable to do any financial savings.

PRIMARY METHOD OF TRANSPORTATION

India’s transport sector is large and diverse; it caters to the needs of 1.1 billion people.
In 2007, the sector contributed about 5.5 percent to the nation’s GDP, with road
transportation contributing the lion’s share. Good physical connectivity in the urban
and rural areas is essential for economic growth. Since the early 1990s, India's growing
economy has witnessed a rise in demand for transport infrastructure and services.

However, the sector has not been able to keep pace with rising demand and is proving
to be a drag on the economy. Major improvements in the sector are therefore required
to support the country's continued economic growth and to reduce poverty.

Roads: Roads are the dominant mode of transportation in India today. They carry
almost 85 percent of the country’s passenger traffic and more than 60 percent of its
freight. The density of India’s highway network -- at 0.66 km of roads per square
kilometre of land. Most roads in India are narrow and congested with poor surface
quality, and 33 percent of India’s villages do not have access to all-weather roads.

Railway: Indian Railways is one of the largest railways under the single management.
It carried some 19.8 million passengers and 2.4 million tonnes of freight a day in year
2009 and is one of the world’s largest employer. The railways play a leading role in
carrying passengers and cargo across India’s vast territory. However, most of its major
corridors have capacity constraint requiring capacity enhancement plans.

Ports: India has 13 major and 199 minor and intermediate ports along its more than
7500 km long coastline. India’s seaborne foreign trade being 95% by volume and 67%
by value, the ports play a very significant role in improving foreign trade in a growing
economy. These ports serve the country’s growing foreign trade in petroleum products,
iron ore, and coal, as well as the increasing movement of containers. Indian ports
 39

handled cargo of 850 million tonnes and about 9.0 million TEU container traffic in year
2010. Over the last decade, the average annual growth rate of port cargo volume has
been about 10%. The potential for port sector, particularly container ports is huge
considering that the container traffic is projected to grow to 40 million TEU by 2025.
Inland water transportation also remains largely undeveloped despite India's 14,000
kilometres of navigable rivers and canals.

Aviation: India has 128 airports, including 15 international airports. Indian airports
handled 142 million passengers in 2010-11 and 1.6 million tonnes of cargo in year
2009-10. The CAGR for the domestic passenger and freight growth over the last decade
has been 14.2% and 7.8% respectively. The dramatic increase in air traffic for both
passengers and cargo in recent years has placed a heavy strain on the country's major
airports. Passenger traffic is projected to grow more than 15% annually over 2011-13
and it is estimated that the aviation industry, currently 9th largest in the World, will
require 30 billion USD investment in the next 15 years to keep pace with the growing
demand.

Urban Transport: India is experiencing rapid urbanization with the present

urbanization levels at 30% translating to a population of roughly 340 million living in
urban areas. The number of million plus cities is presently at 42 and the urban economy
accounted for roughly 60% of the GDP. Motorisation rates in India are in double digits
as in most developing economies. Only about 20 cities out of 87 cities with a population
in excess of 500,000 and state capitals have any kind of organized transport and only
3-4 cities could lay claim to a mass rapid transit system. The share of public transport
in cities with population sizes over 4 million has declined from 69% to 38% between
1994 to 2007. Accident and fatality rates are one of the highest in the world affecting
primarily the poor and vulnerable without their own means of transport.

Transport infrastructure in India is better developed in the southern and south-western

parts of the country.

INTEREST OF MOVING IN A MICRO APARTMENT

When it comes to buying a house, millennials prefer smaller units that are more
affordable rather than booking into bigger and more expensive real estate projects.
Developers are now tapping into this trend by reducing the average unit size of
apartments to make them more affordable for millennial homebuyers.

According to data gathered by real estate consultancy firm Ana rock Property
Consultants, the average sizes of apartments in most large Indian cities have shrunk in
the past five years, and this can be attributed to a shift in demand, especially on the part
of millennial homebuyers, to affordable homes in central and well-connected areas over
larger apartments in far-flung suburbs.
 40

“Property prices are proportional to square footage, and it makes sense that reduced flat
sizes result in a lower burden on homebuyers’ pockets. This is not always an easy
equation to master, since prices go up as locations become more central,”

“Smaller apartment sizes allow buyers to purchase flats in areas which would otherwise
be out of reach for them. Many millennials are willing to forsake extras like balconies,
so as to be able to buy ‘starter’ homes in good locations sans frills which can later be
sold for upgrading to bigger homes when purchase power increases,"

UNDESIREABLE FEATURES OF THE CONCEPT

For some people, micro apartments come with enough drawbacks to fill more than a
few hundred square feet. For people who live in cities with inclement weather, there is
the possibility of long winters without much opportunity for going outdoors.

There is also the storage struggle. Choosing this type of living arrangement means
having to constantly audit every single item before bringing it home because it will take
up an exaggerated amount of space in relation to the size of the apartment.

Being a host is virtually impossible in a micro apartment. There is little opportunity to

host a big holiday dinner, a card night, or a birthday party in 300 square feet of space.
When people move to a fun city, it can be frustrating not to have the space to host
friends and family from back home who want to visit for a few days.

The cost angle is mixed with micro apartments. In many cities, a micro apartment is not
necessarily cheaper than the average rent in the area. “In terms of an absolute dollar per
square foot they’re going to be more expensive than other apartments,” says Eiden.

Moving into an upscale micro-unit development often comes with other premiums as
well. If you are moving into an unfurnished apartment, tracking down specialty
furniture that actually fits can be an expensive, time-consuming prospect. In addition,
the furniture purchased will essentially be useless once there is a move to a standard-
sized home or apartment.

There is also zero growth potential with a micro apartment. This can be frustrating for
someone looking to settle in a city because there is no opportunity to bring in a
roommate or second tenant. Lastly, many micro apartments do not allow pets.

IMPORTANCE OF APARTMENT FEATURES

There are several other important apartment features including, safety measures, sound
control, window thickness, fire safety, appearance of the grounds.
 41

1) Safety: Depending on the nature of your building, that could mean anything from a
sensor-operated entrance, a security guard, or double-bolted locks. Perceptive tenants
will also check unit windows for secure latches.

2) Size: builders could offer a different floor plan for the apartments on each floor of a
complex, a design strategy that reflects the sense of individuality these
young renters crave. These renters are also attracted to apartments with high
ceilings, wood flooring, a bright living room and dining area. When it comes to the
living area, you should ensure that there is enough floor space so they can express their
individuality. Millennials, for example, want their living areas to reflect their sense of
style as well as maximize the space.

3) Sound Control: Apartment living should feel like single-family home

living. Renters do not want a constant reminder that others surround them, especially if
it is keeping them awake at night or affecting their ability to work from home. One of
the easiest ways to ensure this is by soundproofing rooms to ensure privacy and avoid
disputes between residents.

4) Appearance: An important part of building a home is making it feel like your own.
For whatever reason, this is much easier to do in a space that feels brand new. In
addition to scrubbing units down in between tenants, you should be following an annual
renovation plan.

5) Maintenance Responsiveness: A recent survey by the given the National

Apartment Association stated that multiunit rental complexes had almost a 10%
increase in their operating expenses in 2019. Nine percent of that came from
maintenance and repair for garden apartments and six percent for mid to high-rise
apartment buildings. It is essential to understand why maintenance and repairs must be
kept up on multifamily properties. The next important step knows how to get the most
done as inexpensively as possible is the next concern, understandably.
We believe in preventative maintenance and using better materials to control costs and
extend the life of the building components. For the balconies, rails, and stairways, we
use composite decking and powder-coated materials that are held together with brackets
and screws. This replaces the use of wood, which rots, or wrought iron that needs
painting and welding
6) In-Unit Amenities: Cleaning tools, holiday decorations, and winter coats all need
a home. Your current units may or may not have large closets. If they do not, consider
building modern shelving and cabinet space into common rooms. A less desirable
option would be creating a sort of community space with privacy lockers.

7) Community Wide Amenities: In addition to their personal space,

young renters care deeply about the overall look, feel, and community of
 42

the apartment complex as a whole. This is where luxury apartment

community features come into play. Such luxury features include:

 Pet-Friendly
 Multifamily Parcel Lockers
 A Pool
 Security
 A Gym
 Parking

8) Landscaping: younger renters will gladly sacrifice space for convenience.

However, that does not mean they are not still seeking an urban oasis. Community
centres, barbecue pits, and nature paths are all highly sought after commodities. Even
if it is not a private balcony, such outdoor spaces can often validate sizable increases in
rent.

9) Windows and Natural Light: Sunlight has been scientifically proven to improve
mood and feelings of well-being. Those who feel especially affected by lack of natural
light will prioritize it during their search. Make your rooms as bright as possible by
trimming over-sized limbs, replacing dingy screens, and fixing any other elements that
block light.

10) Parking: Few things can be as frustrating as an apartment complex that fails to
offer convenient and secure parking. Young people do not want to have to commute
from work and then spend the next 30 minutes trying to compete for a spot within a
mile of their complex. They want to be able to pull into a parking space without a
seconds’ thought. In addition, they factor in guest parking since many will want to
invite their friends or romantic connections over without any serious hassle.

11) Location: Though a convenient location has always been desirable, it now appears
to be more valuable than ever. Over the past decade, there has been an exodus of young
people moving to city centres. A location’s Walk score is measured on a scale from 0
to 100 based on walking routes to popular destinations like grocery stores, restaurants,
parks, and schools. Determine your building’s Walk Score and emphasize it on your
website, promotional materials, and apartment tours.

12) In-Unit Washer and Dryer: Having washers and dryers in one of the common
areas of your apartment complex is important but younger renters want to wash their
clothes in the comfort and convenience of their homes. They do not want to deal
with a musical chairs’ version of washing clothes: either hoping for an open washer
and dryer unit or praying that no one moves or steals their things. Installing a washer
and dryer in each of your apartments is a great way to attract the younger generation.
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CHAPTER 05

STRATEGIES FOR DESIGINING A AFFORDABLE APARTMENT

COMPLEX

1. Micro-Housing

Small spaces are trending right now, as evidenced by the recent tiny house movement.
Apartments can be small, too, while still acting as functional, comfortable living spaces.
These tiny apartments often feature one living area with spaces for sleeping and sitting,
as well as a kitchenette. Simple floor plans can help you make the most of small spaces,
as can designing spaces to be multi-functional by incorporating flexibility into the
design.
One way to increase a space's flexibility is to make furniture and other features storable,
in the style of the tiny house. Couches, beds and tables, for example, can fold up into
the wall. Thinking vertical by incorporating lofted beds and other spaces can help, as
well.
2. More Common Spaces
Another way to get the most out of small living spaces is to place more amenities in
common areas. This could include features like laundry rooms, as well as spaces for
relaxing, working or even cooking. Building one large area for a certain function is less
expensive than building many smaller ones for each apartment.
 44

We Live, a company building "co-living" apartment buildings, takes this idea to the
extreme. Their buildings contain separate units but also shared laundry rooms, pool
tables and even espresso bars and dining establishments. The spaces are designed to
foster a sense of community. Incorporating these ideas could also help make rents more
affordable.

3. Modular Construction

Modular construction is another trend that can help make housing more affordable. This
technique involves manufacturing buildings in parts off-site using pre-determined
designs and materials. Then, a team assembles the parts on-site. This approach can
make construction faster and reduce costs by around 20 percent.
4. Using Unconventional Land
Land is often a significant expense when building an apartment complex. Architects
can help reduce this cost by using creative designs to build in unexpected places. The
Alley Flat Initiative in Austin, Texas, for example, helps construct homes in small,
unconventional places. The most common spots for these small, sustainable homes are
the backs of the lots of larger houses. The alley flats, as their name suggests, are
accessible via the alley, rather than the main street.
5. Improved Ventilation and Energy Efficiency
Even if rent is relatively low, high utility bills can make an apartment unaffordable.
Designers can help with this by incorporating features that save energy. Connecting the
 45

front door to the back door to improve ventilation will reduce the need to run air
conditioning. Proper insulation will minimize heat loss in the winter. Energy-efficient
appliances can result in substantial savings, as well.

6. Making Expanding Easy

Using a favela-like incremental building approach can help to reduce housing costs in
the long run. This strategy involves starting out with a basic design that can readily
accept add-ons. This way, if the building owner wants to expand later, they do not have
to purchase new land. It allows you to expand as resources allow without having to
make another huge investment.
Building affordable apartment complexes is a challenge that designs and others in the
field are ideally equipped to solve. Using these six building strategies and others can
help them to create housing that is affordable as well as comfortable, practical and
attractive.
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CHAPTER 06
INNOVATIVE IDEAS FOR MICRO APARTMENTS
There is no need for big, space-consuming living spaces when you can get creative with
your apartment layout. By using innovative ideas, you can create small, but
comfortable, spaces that are perfect for single or shared living. Take a peek at the top
five apartment concepts that are both trendy and elegant:

1. Make Multitasking Pieces Work Hard

2. Contain it by Using Containers
3. Light it Up
4. Climb the Walls
5. Get down on It

 Make Multitasking Pieces Work Hard

Apartment dwellers have limited space to work with, so it is important that they use
every inch of it. One creative way to use less space is to install pouffes as accent pieces
in your living room or bedroom. These soft, squishy cushions can transform a small
space into a comfortable one in minutes. Pouffes are also practical furniture; they are
easy to move and can be positioned in any corner of the room.

One example is the Living Cube by Japanese studio SANAA. The cube is designed as
a communal living space, but it can also be used as individual bedrooms or office
 47

spaces. Each side of the cube has a different use, so people can easily switch between
them depending on their needs.

 Contain It By Using Containers

It is essential to make the most of the little space you have available if you are confined
to a small apartment or house. One way to do that is to use containers to keep everything
in order. You can use decorative boxes, trays, baskets, and vases to create more free
space in your room. This will not only make your home look more organised, but also
it will also make it easier for you to find what you are looking for. For example, you
could use a container to store clothes on the bottom shelf of a closet rather than taking
up floor space in the closet itself.

 Light It Up

Apartments that are designed with light in mind can really make a small space feel more
spacious. When you have a limited amount of space, it is essential to bring in a
significant number of lights to give the impression that the room is much larger than it
really is. Secondary lighting can be used to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Set
 48

up a few lamps near the couch to give it a cosy feeling. Alternatively, use lamps to light
up an entire side of the room for an airy feel. When designing your apartment,
remember to include lamps that work well with your unique space.

 Climb The Walls

When living in a small space, it can be hard to find ways to maximise the floor space.
One solution is to utilise the walls. Bookshelves and racks can create vertical spaces
that house an assortment of items. Create bulletin boards where you can display photos,
art, and collectibles. You can also use shelving to store vases and other personal items.
When decorating your apartment, think about how you can create a vertical space ,
which allows you to maximise the amount of floor space you have.

 Get Down On It

If you are like most people, you probably do not have a lot of floor space in your home.
That is where clever apartment ideas come in handy. To create the atmosphere of a
comfortable abode, you may put your available space to good use in any way you see
fit. One clever way to do this is to get a cosy patterned rug and have loads of pillows
on hand. This will give your living space the look and feel of an inviting cottage.

 Make the Most Of Vertical Space

 49

In a space this small, you have to use all your space – including up and down! Tall,
narrow shelves will take up less floor space, and you can store things to the ceiling. By
lofting your bed, you open up all that functional space underneath it. Floating shelves
in your kitchen can function as décor and extra storage space for utensils. Your floor
space is limited, so take advantage of your walls.

 Only Choose Functional Furniture

You cannot use your 400 square feet for foosball tables, uncomfortable, decorative
chairs, or anything else that does not serve a functional purpose in your day-to-day life.
Ideally, all of the furniture you select for your micro apartment should serve multiple
purposes. Choose a bed with built-in storage. Use a storage trunk as your coffee table.
Pick shelving units that can hold your massive collection of books and more. Every
piece that you bring into your micro home should do more than simply look pretty.

 Declutter And Embrace Minimalism

The Fact Of The Matter Is That, No Matter How Organized And Ingenious You Are
With Your Set-Up, Micro Apartment Living Requires A Degree Of Minimalism. Figure
Out Your Belongings That Are Absolute Non-Negotiables, And Then Use This As An
Opportunity To Purge The Rest. You Do Not Need To Keep Holding Onto Those Boots
You Haven’t Worn In Three Years, The Box Of Dvds You Can’t Watch, And The Vast
Collection Of Pots And Pans You Inherited From Your Parents. Keep What You Need
— And Maybe A Few Things You Really Want — And Let Go Of The Dead Weight.

 Select Small Pieces Of Furniture

 50

Obvious, Right? A Small Space Demands Smaller Pieces Of Furniture. Downsize From
Your King-Size Bed to A Full. Swap out Your Oversized Sectional for a Cosy Corner
Sofa. When Furniture Shopping, Skip The Clunky, Bulky Pieces And Go For The
Lighter, Airier Options To Make Your Small Space Feel Bigger.

 Keep Things Organized

In A Micro Apartment, You do not Have Room for Mess. There Is No Space For A
“Junk Drawer,” Or A Chair That Holds Your Not-Dirty-But-Not-Totally-Clean
Clothes. A Pile Of Clothes Here And Some Clutter Shoved Into A Closet There, And
Suddenly Your Small Space Suddenly Feels Smaller. Keep Everything Organized And
Tidy, From Your Toiletries To Your Clothes To Your Dishes To Your Books. Your
Micro Apartment Will Be Most Functional When Everything Has A Place.

 Create Dual-Purpose Spaces.

You Will No Longer Have The Luxury Of Dedicated Spaces In Your Micro Apartment.
Instead, similar to a One-Room Apartment Design, You will need to Create Flex Spaces
That Can Serve More Than One Purpose. The Darling Bistro Table Where You Eat
Your Scrambled Eggs Every Morning Will Also Be a Desk When You Work From
Home. Your Sleeping Area May Also Serve As A Living Area, So Choose Your
Dresser-Entertainment Centre Hybrid Piece Accordingly! Every Square Inch Of Your
Space Will Be Precious, And Creating These Dual Spaces Is Essential For Micro-
Living.

 Utilize below-the-bed storage

In smaller homes or homes without adequate storage, using the space under the bed
provides additional options Under-bed space keeps items contained and out of sight and
serves as a physical boundary to curtail the number of items coming into the space. It
is also convenient because it keeps less-used items out of prime storage space.
 51

Approach your under-bed storage as you would any other home project: with a thought-
out strategy. Keep the space neat, organized and well edited, with no strewn belongings.
Choose attractive containers, or hang a stylish bed skirt to conceal plain storage boxes.
It is a good idea to purchase — or repurpose or build — storage items that fit properly
under the bed, rather than simply sliding bins or boxes beneath. If the room is prone to
dust, consider lidded containers; if you want frequent access to your items, choose
storage solutions with wheels or add your own casters.

 Utilize narrow storage cabinets

Not every space is blessed with a large linen closet—or any closet for that matter. A
narrow cabinet, such as this wooden one from Walmart, removes towels and sheets
from precious shelf space and keeps them tucked away in their own designated area.

 Sliding Wooden Door - Light Elegant Touch

Wooden doors can transform any space into a more luxurious one simply because wood
exudes elegance and has a more impressive aesthetic when compared to any other
 52

material. Light bounces off wood more naturally when compared with the very light
bounces off a laminated surface, and this adds to the sense of luxury in one’s home.

 The Dining Table Can Fit and Hide Amongst the Rest of the Kitchen
Furnishing

Ergonomics is the study of enhancing human efficiency, by designing products that

ensure comfort and wellness. Furniture that is ergonomic will match the curve of your
body, help you to maintain the right posture, heighten your work efficiency and allow
you to function without strain. Circular or square tables usually work well when they
seat not more than 6 people. A larger circle will have dead space in the middle that
cannot be easily accessed from any side.

 Creating an Illusion of Volume Using Mirrored Surfaces

Using mirrors creatively in your home can make them not only useful for checking your
appearance, but also for capturing light and projecting it into those darker corners,
creating textural and spatial illusions, and highlighting your favourite accessories and
ornaments by reflecting them into your vision from different angles.

Improve light: Placing a mirror in the correct place in a room allows you to optimise
natural light. To do so, place the mirror adjacent to a window to perfectly catch the
angle of light and bounce it throughout the room.

Create texture: Mirrors can be used to create texture in two ways. The first is by
installing a textured mirror frame which adds a three dimensional level to the wall.
These can act as statement furnishings in any room.
 53

The second way to add texture in a room is to position the mirror so it reflects a textured
object already in the room – a rustic, wooden coffee table, vase or faux fur throw, for
example.

MULTIFUNCTIONAL FURNITURE FOR MICRO LIVING

That is the magic of a multifunctional furniture design. It looks like a single product,
but functions as more than one! They are a smart option for our modern urban homes,
which tend to be pretty cramped; hence adding multiple bulky and cumbersome
furniture designs to them is not really an option. However, multifunctional pieces that
serve a variety of purposes, and solve a bunch of unique problems can be a lifesaver in
such situations.
 D-Tach

D-Tach is a versatile stool that transforms into a small workspace designed to

accommodate today is mobile work culture. With each day, our world seems to become
more and more mobile. Mobile offices, working from home and freelance careers are
increasing in popularity as we move away from corporate offices. With work culture,
making such a big shift towards mobile lifestyles, our home offices and furniture should
reflect that.
o Transforms into a small workspace
o Fits into most modern offices
 54

 Acrobat

Acrobat is a multifunctional storage piece that combines the safekeeping components

of an entryway table with the hanging function of a coatrack. As we continue to
downsize our living spaces, the more multifunctional our furniture is, the better.
Smaller spaces don’t necessarily have to mean less living space. Multifunctional
furniture helps make more room for living while taking care of a lot of our household
tasks. We usually have our own system of arranging EDC items like key rings, wallets,
and phones. Entryway tables and coat racks usually take the brunt of those
organizational needs, so finding multifunctionality in their design is key to keeping our
homes decluttered. Acrobat, a multifunctional coat rack designed by João Teixeira,
combines the storage components of an entryway table with those of a coat rack.
o The metal tube tops can also be used to hang clothes or hats without the need
for a hanger
o The wooden hull that interlinks the beams offers a safe space to store EDC items
like wallets, phones, and keyrings.

 The Raak Mai desk

The Raak Mai desk is a multifunctional, versatile desk conceptualized for designers.

Preliminary inspired by the needs of designers, Rodríguez hoped to incorporate analogy

mechanisms that work to take care of digital tasks. While many of the elements of the
 55

Raak Mai desk can be adjusted manually, the overall structure of the desk was fitted to
ensure the digital needs of modern technology could be met.

o Allows users to adjust the desk’s height, tilt, and storage capabilities according
to their working needs.

o An integrated winch allows users to manually adjust the desk to a standing

height.

 Curiosity-Go-Round

Curiosity-Go-Round is a cylindrical, miniature library that also functions as

a workspace with integrated desks and tables.

Taking the multifunctional and immersive spirit of WFH furniture to its maximalist
end, architect Keigo Kobayashi was called on by the Creative Project Base team to
create a bookcase that combines elements of a traditional workspace with integrated
storage units to form a bookworm’s private working oasis called Curiosity-Go-Round.
Before Curiosity-Go-Round reached completion, Japan-based Company Creative
Project Base told Kobayashi, “I want you to make a bookshelf that can hold all the
books you have now…I want to make it a place where you can come up with ideas by
yourself.”
o The convex shelves curve to provide spacious tables for collaborative or solo
work.
o The overall unit rises like a wonky cylinder with an open internal center that
leaves room to explore the unit’s bookshelves.
 56

 Cassle
Cassle is a multifunctional piece of furniture designed for cats to have their own private
retreat without taking up too much floor space.
 57

Keeping cats entertained in small spaces is quite the challenge. Tiny living quarters,
like studio apartments and micro-homes, make sharing space with cats feel like a game
of Tetris. It is all a matter of finding the right toys, litter boxes, and furniture to keep
your cat happy, without taking over the entirety of your living area. Cassle, a
multifunctional piece of furniture designed for cats by Soo Bin Cho, makes the most of
your available floor and wall space to keep your cat happy and your apartment clutter-
free
o Made from biodegradable and sustainable materials.
o An unconventional spin on traditional cat furniture, amounting to a piece that
saves space and is multifunctional

 The Cowboy Side table

It seems we can never escape Deniz Aktay and his designs. This German furniture
designer has become prolific when it comes to creating concept furniture pieces,
especially tables. Every table he designs gives us something to think about. The latest
creation is the Cowboy Side table Bookmark. It is a side table and a bookmark in one
that lets you keep things organized. If you are a bookworm, you will want to have one
and have your latest book to rest on such a table.

The side table allows things to be at an easy reach. Usually situated beside a sofa or
your favourite armchair, you can place your drink on the table for when you want a
nightcap. Leave your smartphone on the tabletop, so you do not miss any important call
or message. In addition, when you need to take a break from reading a book, just put
the last page face down on the book rest.
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o The Cowboy Side table is called such because the tip that protrudes appears
like a saddle, especially when there is a book on top.

 The Threefold

This modular furniture brings to the users a lounger they can lay back on with support,
or it can instantly transform into a low stool for the aged who cannot sit cross-legged
on the ground. In addition, when you want to keep your food or a board game you are
carrying along, the Threefold can become a sturdy table. A perfect companion for
picnics and camping, the Threefold construction is supported by stretchers and is safe
and secure to use.

There is frankly no dearth of adaptable furniture for picnics, camping, and outdoor
events, but the Threefold presents its own use case, courtesy of its incredible versatility
and effortless, timesaving flip in form. This is essentially true since the traditional mats
we carry to the outdoors are limited in form. The fabric mats would offer more comfort,
versus a semi-wooden mat as the threefold, however, it has limited application. If you
would have realized, it excludes a section of users who cannot sit on the ground from
convenience and comfort, compelling you to carry an additional folding chair. The
conceptual Threefold outdoor furniture here extends adaptability to each individual’s
needs in one useful unit.

 Transforms into a lounger, stool, and coffee table.

 Safe + sturdy design.

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CHAPTER 07

CASE STUDIES
MINIMALIST MICRO APARTMENT IN SEOUL

Interior designer Ian Lee has lined the walls of the LIFE micro-apartments in South
Korea with birch wood to offer tenants pared-back spaces that they can personalise.

Located in Seoul's Gangnam District, the apartments form part of a 16-storey co-living
building for young adults, developed by co-working-space provider Fast five.

The block contains 140 rooms, which vary between 16 and 23 square metres in size,
alongside shared living areas that Vancouver-based Lee also designed.

LIFE Micro-Apartments Are Lined With Birch Joiney

Lee's goal for the LIFE apartments was to create deliberately simple, timeless interiors
that were visually uncluttered.
 60

While helping to distract from the small size of the rooms, this offers tenants the
opportunity to create homely, private spaces with their own furniture and belongings.

The Birch Is Intended To Offer a Minimalist Finish

"Like in many densely populated cities, most young adults in Seoul struggle to find
homes as housing prices climb," explained Lee.

"I wanted this co-living space and the community it would build to be an accessible
alternative to traditional housing options that can eventually give its residents a sense
of belonging."

"One of my aims in designing these rental units was to find that balance, where the
space feels timeless and comfortable as it is, but also like a blank canvas for tenants to
personalise," Lee continued.

"The overarching goal was to evoke a sense of home”

Each apartment is fully equipped with a private kitchen and bathroom, with storage and
appliances built-in or hidden within the birch-lined walls to maximise useable space.

Some units are fitted with sliding glass partitions that can be used to divide the flats
offering tenants flexibility while ensuring natural light can still filter through.

Lee chose birch as the main material for the micro-apartments to create a cosy finish,
but also because the material forms a neutral backdrop for furnishings.

The only decorative elements he has included are playful arched cut-outs, reading nooks
and window seats, which he hopes contribute to the cosy aesthetic.
 61

"Rental homes can feel generic, cold and utilitarian," Lee explained. "The soft spatial
elements like arches and curves were used to infuse warmth and emotions into the
rooms."
The shared living spaces, which were not photographed, include a communal kitchen,
workspace, lounge, gym and rooftop garden.

Finished with an equally minimalist design, these are hoped to help foster community
amongst tenants.
 62

HOUSE IN TAMATSU BY IDO, KENJI ARCHITECTURAL STUDIO,

JAPAN
This is a three-story dwelling for a family of four people. The total plot area is 465
square feet. The house is located in an urban area and is surrounded by a mixed-use
area consisting of small houses, factories, and office buildings. The large openings
couldn’t be opened out to the roadside view because of the structural reasons. So the
second-floor volume was rotated 14 degrees, for the axis of the building. The spaces
between the rotated volume and the outer walls, which are the interstitial spaces,
became voids. The design minimizes load-bearing walls and pillars to maximize space
and natural light. An overhead skylight ensures that daylight reaches the lowest living
spaces on the ground floor. The staircase is designed as a box-shaped cantilevered,
which is floating in the void.

For structural reasons, the large openings couldn’t open out on the roadside of the first
floor of the building. So, the volume of the second floor was rotated 14 degrees for the
 63

axis of the building, and interstitial spaces between the rotated wall and the outer wall
of the building became voids.

The skylight was positioned in the upper section of the void, and is intended to allow
natural light to fall on the family room of the first floor. Moreover, one of two walls
rotated 14 degrees on the plan of the second floor is also inclined to the vertical plane,
and the part which overlaps the stairs is turned up, and resembles origami or a facet.

This inclined wall frees people’s feeling by deviation from the norm, simultaneously
the sense of touch of the degree of inclination and the light to reflect of that inclination
cause a new physical sense. The building’s white box is completely different from the
building of the neighborhood. It is the appearance which the cylindrical volume of the
second floor rotated 14 degrees penetrates into the building.
 64

HOSTEL, APARTMENTS, RESIDENTIAL

KODLA, INDIA
A composition of coloured cuboids create this sculptural residential project. The brief
for these mid-rise buildings was to create studio apartments, a hostel & a guest house
on the perimeter of a housing project for a residential township, to house the working
people of a new cement plant.

Angularly stepped in the layout, each of the rooms are oriented towards the north in
response to the hot climate of Kodla , Karnataka in India. Temperatures exceed 35°C
for 8 months of the year in this region. Based on the brief, 18 studio apartments, 54
hostel rooms and 18 guest house rooms are created in 4 & 5 level buildings facing large
landscaped areas & a large playground on the north east.

Common facilities including a cafeteria , games room, lounge & gym are housed at the
ground level. Rooms opening into sheltered north facing balconies occupy the upper
floors. Indian culture is known for its vivid use of color in traditional crafts, festivities
& clothing. India is the only country that celebrates Holi, a festival of colour annually.
3 of these vivid primary colors – red, blue and yellow highlight the cantilevered
balconies to each room creating an identity & simultaneously enhancing the sculptural
look of the buildings. Built economically with emphasis on natural ventilation & natural
sunlight, the buildings are very energy efficient.
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Fly ash brick walls, water recycling, rain water harvesting, north orientation, sheltered
outdoor spaces to reduce heat gain render the design sustainable. The entire electrical
energy required is harnessed from the residual energy generated in the cement plant
nearby. Studios 90 is a simple, energy efficient residential building that responds to its
site, the climate of the location & alludes to the culture & social aspects of the users.
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HOUSES, APARTMENTS
BANGALORE, INDIA
Designed by DS2 architecture, the davis road apartment in Bangalore is a seamless
amalgamation of aesthetics and functions, of cultures and contexts, of construction nuances and
impeccable user experiences. Here Indian aesthetics interplay with modern sensibilities. From
often-overlooked details to large voluminous forms, every element is a pursuit in sculpting an
enriching and intuitive experience. The project was a makeover of an existing skeleton building.
The architects had to start with the wall skin and redesign the internal functional spaces.

The façade functions on multiple aspects - Firstly it addresses the security issues pertaining to
the building’s immediate context. It also doubles as a shading element and creates a thermal
buffer zone between the built spaces, while facilitating the growth of vegetation. As the creepers
grow, they not only cut direct light and heat but also negate the use for curtains internally.

For the interiors, the architect wanted Gujarati elements to honour his roots and culture. Pan-
India traditional elements with modern compositions interact to create a composition that is in
its own right, a new voice, a new vocabulary. The traditional Indian style of space planning -
Nalukettu has been interpreted in a modern way by a defining frame while the skylight has been
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covered with 50% solar panels to control excess light and generate energy. In the planning of
the bedrooms the beds have not been put to a corner or against a wall, however, the bed has
been brought to the center thereby creating a much freer circulation for the placements of
cabinets and furniture.

The kitchen has been designed as mixed used space, which can function predominantly as a
socialising space for the family, the design also facilitates for the parents to interact with their
kids as they study and the addition of television makes this space an intimate space for the
family for a wide variety of use cases. The MS staircase changes the routine way of making a
stairway rail, allows for more space for furniture movement, and enhances safety. The design
establishes an intrinsic dialogue between the user, the environment, culture and the built space.
In doing so, it becomes a repository, a blank canvas for time and memories.
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CHAPTER 08
CONCLUSION
To conclude, the main drivers of micro housing, such as the increasing number of single
households, rising housing prices, the establishment of sharing economy in more areas
of life and generally later household formation are expected to continue developing
according to the current progress. These factors are expected to further increase the
demand for alternative housing solutions such as micro apartments in the future on the
Stockholm housing market.

Based on the mentioned market drivers, micro apartments would fill in a considerable
share of the rising demand on the housing market, but they are not expected to provide
a holistic solution for the severe housing shortage in Stockholm. As a result, we found
that the range of total demand for micro apartments by the main target group in
Stockholm municipality in the short term is expected to be between 300 to 400 micro
units in the most likely scenario, between 450 to 550 in the pessimistic scenario and
between 250 to 350 micro units in the optimistic scenario.

For the medium term, the demand is expected to be between 150 and 250 units in the
most likely scenario, between 800 and 900 units in the pessimistic and between 100 and
200 units in the optimistic scenario. To optimize the concept, micro units should be
integrated evenly into the urban fabric and mixed with other housing solutions to avoid
segregation and excessive density. It is recommended that various types of micro
apartments should be planned in different locations to promote diversity and serve
wide-ranging target groups.

As young adults with relatively low income could benefit the most from the concept,
we strongly believe that the easing of rental regulations would greatly benefit this
segment of the population. Furthermore, providing more housing supply and facilitate
their access through more rental options for foreign professionals attracted by
Stockholm based companies would enhance business opportunities and promote
economic growth in the future.

We also see it as the duty of political parties, the municipality and urban planners to
take on the social responsibility to plan for future needs and demand instead of focusing
on supplying a specific number of units. They also have to guide developers based on
the best interest of the population and make adjustments to the regulations if necessary.
Speculating about the future, we may also consider the application of micro housing for
a larger part of the urban population, such as the elderly, poor and refugees. Micro
apartments could also provide means to work towards social inclusion and counteract
social exclusion and alienation. Furthermore, they can provide a social context for
people since they share parts of their living space with others, while retaining their
small private space.
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