Yamuna Apartments(Alaknanda) new Delhi. • Location. which has been designed for the lower middle income group. of Floors: 03 .25 Acres • Built-up Area: 35% • No.Alaknanda. • Total Area: 4.INTRODUCTION • Yamuna apartments belong to a group housing society. Accessibility . ENTRY ENTRY . The open air stage is in the foreground. A view of the units grouped around the central space. .The recreational activities are grouped around the central square. The club is located on the first floor level forming a bridge across two housing blocks. . thus enabling a fair amount of cross ventilation.•The unit plan has opening on two sides . •In the unit plans . the semi private area or the living room of each unit has been consciously designed towards the pedestrian spine to enable communal interaction and acknowledgement of one’s neighbors. •Houses were designed overlooking each others semi private areas. given green pockets. . They have been broken into levels.Pedestrianised Pathways • • • • • The shape of the built form gives rise to the walkways between two blocks. which function as streets within the society. Units on the ground floor have a private courtyard which is partly covered . It forms an important space for outdoor activities .The open air stage forms a part of the recreational facilities grouped around the central square. . from square to rectangular .The change in the shape of the terrace . . on alternate floors provides considerable variation to the façade and strong geometric frame work. The external walls finished with stone aggregate which practically requires no maintenance besides an occasional washing down with water to remove the dust along with reinforced concrete bands at terrace levels provide a refreshing contrast against the landscape. . The access staircase in each block form important design elements . They wind around a central wall panel . but at each half landing an independent flight peels off to lead directly to the entrance of the adjacent unit. Children can play in the gali undisturbed by vehicular traffic.A typical pedestrian street or gali leading to the central square with entrance to the units . . .Each unit has a courtyard or terrace for outdoor activities. T.A. Non. three sub and one service Entries are provided for the better use of spaces. public seating.e. are provided. gardens etc.accessible Terrace gardens are provided to enclosure to the outer space and at the same time they also gives the view of the open sky which merges with the landscaping on the upper terrace gardens. in ground floor it is next to main door and in upper floors it is as balconies.Merits Community spaces like O. . Privacy is maintained by providing a small breathing space in every apartment i. Two main. balconies have been provided with the built units that add to the aesthetics and functionality to the 65 percent is open built form. . social interaction. There are many buffer zones within the complex which form the space of gathering . space. 35 percent of the total area is the built up area.The designer has tried to make the open spaces face towards the southern side to avoid direct light entering the The complex gives a area. sense of enclosure. There are large open spaces for public use provided on the periphery of the complex. The built up area is in staggered form and oriented in such a way that they form a sense of enclosure within the complex. creating a shortage of car space. but. who have simply used frosted glass/blinds to crub the issue. is very unique. The external staircase saves a lot of internal space as it cuts down the need for a core. the demand for parking has increased since the society’s conception. cars were parked on the roadside. The fact that residents can see into each others living rooms creates a sense of safety in times of emergencies but it may seem intrusive for some.Demerits Parking was not made according to the requirement. proves to be a problem on days with heavy rainfall. placing of the blocks. and the usage of pedestrianization. The idea of parking being on the periphery. . the open and green spaces at various intervals. as the whole colony enjoys a terrific free circulation around the colony. however.