In our series on post-Independence Delhi architecture, we have discussed some fascinating, path-breaking creations by the new breed of Indian (and some foreign) architects that changed the face of the capital city. We have explored the design elements and revolutionary concepts of some public buildings, institutional buildings, office buildings, and of course, commercial buildings. It’s high time we take up now a residential building that started a new trend and gave Delhi a new vision.

Tara Apartments: A revolutionary concept

Sounds a little incomprehensible, a residential building with a revolutionary concept, isn’t it? That’s what Charles Correa achieved with his vision and creativity. India used to have a traditional approach as far as residential settlements were concerned- individual bungalows or stand-alone houses for affluent class people, and linear skeleton housing for low-income groups. Correa, with the support, of some forward-looking clients, dared to visualize a housing complex for a higher middle-income group of people, offering them an exclusive living. The complex turns its back to the street, virtually an oasis within the endless, vast desert of high-volume Delhi traffic and noise and dust pollution.

• Correa designed a low-rise, high-density housing accommodating more than 125 apartments- two and three-bedroom units.
• The apartment units are grouped into some small and medium-sized blocks, some blocks comprising of only two-bedroom units and some are combinations of two and three-bedroom types.
• Two-bedroom units are 84 sqm and three-bedroom units are 130 sqm. Each apartment has an independent open terrace covered with pergolas and big overhangs.
• The dwelling units are stacked in two decks, the upper ones are stepped back to form a terrace for each family. This is done with the objective of creating a central area that allows units to shade each other against the scorching Delhi summer sun.
• The central street between row houses has been designed as a multi-functional landscaped spine. This street serves as a major circulation route, community space, children’s play area, and enhances the visual appeal of the complex.
• The rows of dwelling units are surrounded by open space on one side and enclosed by dense tree foliage on the other to give them a cushion against the summer heat and noise pollution.
• Various services, water tanks, and powerhouses are concealed by the level difference and visually enhanced as a feature by landscaping. The parking area is on the lower level and visually separated from the dwelling units.
• To enhance the quality of life, Correa designed the layout in a way that pedestrian and vehicular movement is well defined and segregated. He originally provided six entrances, of which only three are now functional due to security concerns. One of these is dedicated solely to pedestrians.
• There is a hierarchy of open spaces in response to climatic conditions and to achieve the desired visual effect.
• To maintain the privacy of inhabitants, the living areas on the ground floor are extended into the green space, and terraces opening into the landscape area are partially shaded.
• Open staircases join the apartments, and their landing provides an interactive zone. The multi-functional hall acts as the transition space between the central greenish street and the green scape on the South-East side. This area is buffered by peripheral plantation to minimize outside dust and noise.
• Charles Correa was a true modernist, and this is aptly reflected in the unusually refined exposed brick and concrete construction adopted in the Tara Apartments.

Borrowing the traditional building concept from the age-old urban form of desert cities like Udaipur and Jaisalmer, Correa produced a modern masterpiece that started a new trend in post-Independence Delhi. An introvert street configuration was the need of the hour to protect the inhabitants from the extreme heat and humidity. The central green zone gives the families a community space sheltered from the outside extremities and provides the complex a unique, exclusive look and feel. We shall bring to you another modern classic in our next post, don’t miss the fun!

About the author
Sandeep Singh is an architect from IIT Roorkee. He is a prolific writer and a sensitive poet. His professional posts mostly cover the future in Architecture.  His books are chiefly devoted to the inner and outer battles that a disabled person in India faces every day. His poems mostly reflect his inner world. He also works with the “Safe in India Foundation”, a social change         initiative that strives to bring qualitative change to the lives of the Indian worker’s community