Space standardisation of low-income housing units in India

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to develop a set of affordable space and dimensional standards for market-driven low-income housing in Indian context for the purpose of mass production using industrialised building system. Design/methodology/approach – For this, the paper first explains the significance of standardisation from the literature and revisits the codes and contemporary practices in industrialised building system (IBS) in India. Next, it undertakes a market survey of ongoing/completed housing projects to study the space/dimensions reflected in the market demand by the people. After considering conditions like modular grid suitability and provisions of code, it identifies a set of dimensional standards of activity spaces, emerging from the market study. It also suggests a framework of modular units showing the incremental attachment possibility for component-based construction using IBS. These standards and design frameworks will make the path for developing various products and components towards an open system in India. Findings – The paper gives an insight of the market trends of low-income housing, focusing on unit designs and spatial elements. Research limitations/implications – Local contextualisation during the unit designs will be required and that is not addressed in this paper. Practical implications – This will benefit developers, manufacturers, designers as well as policymakers towards a market-driven housing delivery using IBS. Social implications – As a result of this standardisation, housing delivery will be faster and there will be more numbers of market-driven affordable housing in masses for low-income people, thus solving housing shortage. Originality/value – A developing country like India is a diversified country having many geographical and social variations. Such standardisation for a space and design framework has never been attempted before and will make a contribution for the public housing sector.