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apartment building case study

Dawid Konieczny designs Warsaw apartment to have "the ease of a good hotel room"

Polish architect Dawid Konieczny has added mid-century modern elements to this Warsaw studio apartment , conceived to echo the compact size and sophistication of a hotel room. More

apartment building case study

Eight compact micro interiors that make the most of their small space

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apartment building case study

Studio Noju creates intimate colourful spaces within open-plan Seville apartment

A pop-up guest bedroom features in this open-plan apartment by Studio Noju , which was renovated to create the illusion of having separate spaces and dressed in colours that nod to its Seville location. More

apartment building case study

Martin Hopp adds space-saving "micro elements" to his Manhattan apartment

New York architect Martin Hopp aimed to make the most of his dark, irregularly shaped apartment by using lots of white and creating clever "micro elements" like a retractable dining table. More

apartment building case study

Point Supreme uses raw concrete to enhance "magical cave-like" feel of Athens apartment

Greek architecture firm Point Supreme has transformed a semi-basement storage space in Athens into a small one-bedroom home . More

apartment building case study

Rooi uses plywood joinery to revamp post-war Chinese apartment for modern life

Multifunctional plywood structures that create spaces for sleeping, storage and drinking tea feature in this compact apartment in Beijing designed by Rooi . More

apartment building case study

Olga Fradina uses dark colours and natural textures to create cosy Kyiv apartment

Interior designer Olga Fradina has reorganised the plan of this small apartment in Kyiv , Ukraine, to incorporate a dark-hued, open-plan living area where the owner can host meditation and tea ceremonies. More

apartment building case study

Mid-century Melbourne apartment modernised with pistachio green kitchen

Architect Murray Barker and artist Esther Stewart renovated this two-bedroom 1960s apartment in Melbourne  using colours and materials that pay homage to the original mid-century interior . More

apartment building case study

MWAI designs Mayfair apartment as if it were a hotel suite

From a mini-fridge to a folding desk and a concealed make-up mirror, this compact London apartment in Mayfair , designed by local firm MWAI , features a variety of space-saving solutions. More

apartment building case study

Ater Architects uses blue curtains as walls in Kyiv apartment

Cobalt-blue curtains hang in place of walls in a small apartment in Kyiv renovated by Ukrainian architecture and interiors studio Ater Architects . More

apartment building case study

Untitled Architecture completes overhaul of attic apartment in Milan

A metal beam, cylindrical staircase and narrow partitions are the simple solutions that Untitled Architecture has used to configure this small apartment in Milan . More

apartment building case study

Vertical garden and sleeping pod feature in small Madrid apartment

Spanish studio Husos Arquitectos has created a 46-square-metre plywood -lined apartment in Madrid for a young doctor and his pet bulldog. More

apartment building case study

KC Design Studio adds multi-functional furnishings to Apartment X in Taipei

KC Design Studio  has squeezed a series of living areas into this 46-square-metre  apartment in Taipei by incorporating space-saving furniture pieces.

apartment building case study

Metropolitan Workshop covers tower of modular homes with glazed ceramic tiles

Metropolitan Workshop 's tower of small  modular homes in London is covered in a "chameleon-style" facade of glazed terracotta that changes colour in the different light conditions. More

apartment building case study

Ruetemple creates small spartan apartment in Moscow

Space-saving oak furniture and white-washed walls feature in this minimalist apartment in Moscow renovated by architecture studio  Ruetemple . More

apartment building case study

Sieger Design creates tiny home spa that fits inside micro apartments

A horizontal shower replaces the bathtub in this futuristic six-square-metre home spa , designed for small-space living by German studio Sieger Design . More

apartment building case study

Phoebe Sayswow Architects creates 33-square-metre guest house in Taipei

Built-in birch wood storage and glazed white tiles with contrasting pink grout feature in this small one-bedroom apartment , in Taipei, Taiwan More

apartment building case study

Note Design Studio's small city apartments are designed for socialising

Creating enough space for long dinners with friends was a top priority for Note Design Studio when designing the interiors of this block of  compact apartments in Stockholm. More

apartment building case study

Lim + Lu uses brightly coloured walls and furnishings for fashion designer's Hong Kong home

Yellow, turquoise, and coral-pink furnishings brighten this previously colourless  apartment in Hong Kong, which has been overhauled by local studio Lim + Lu  for a fashion designer. More

apartment building case study

Hiroyuki Ogawa Architects divides up tiny Tokyo apartment with sliding screens

Hiroyuki Ogawa Architects has renovated a room inside a reinforced-concrete building in Tokyo to create a 34-square-metre studio apartment  that can be divided up with sliding wooden screens.  More

Residential Design

Parti Shot: High Meadow Ranch by Richard Beard Architects

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Before they lived in their current residence—whose design was meticulously orchestrated by Eck MacNeely Architects—the owners had lived in a ...

ARCHITECTURAL INTERIORS

apartment building case study

Case Study: Tribeca Penthouse by Min Design

The penthouse apartment in the converted 1874 warehouse in New York had soaring ceiling heights, an abundance of daylight, and…

apartment building case study

Case Study: Two Gables by Wheeler Kearns

The aptly named Two Gables residence in Glencoe, Illinois, might appear premeditated, but its symmetrical form emerged organically to serve…

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The 1913 Tudor Revival would need more than gallons of white paint to turn it into a welcoming, light-filled home…

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Urban lots are not for the faint of heart, especially when surrounded by existing dwellings that predate zoning codes. Such…

RURAL / SECOND HOMES

apartment building case study

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Case Study: The Narrows by Whitten Architects

Like many retirees, Whitten Architects’ clients came to Downeast Maine looking for an escape from their full-time life near Boston,…

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Case Study: Vermont Farmhouse by ART Architects

If anyone knows how to design the quintessential New England farmhouse, it’s the Boston-based firm of Albert, Righter & Tittmann…

apartment building case study

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We all have a different idea of what our last, best house might look like and where it might be.…

apartment building case study

Case Study: Presidio Heights Residence by Nick Noyes Architecture

Not far from the Presidio—a national park and Historic Landmark District at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge—San Francisco’s…

apartment building case study

Case Study: West Lynn Residence by A Parallel Architecture

The sensitive renovation of a historic house can take many directions, and the possibilities are compounded when a wing is…

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Case Study: Old Yacht Club by Elliott Architects

There are many reasons to rescue an old building—because you have to is one of them, because you want to…

apartment building case study

Case Study: Farm to Table by McInturff Architects

It turns out that a dairy barn can become a family getaway without much ado, design-wise. Consider this rural Virginia…

ON THE BOARDS

apartment building case study

Richard Beard Architects has designed many wonderful houses on extraordinary sites, but this 47-acre parcel in California’s 20,000-acre Santa Lucia…

apartment building case study

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Slicing across a rocky ridge where two valleys converge, Silver Cloud accommodates a young family and its many passions and…

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Parti Shot: Stacked Moor by Flavin Architects

Most homeowners feel they could benefit from just a little more space. In an older house, that need for space…

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Parti Shot: Lake Tahoe Cabins by RO | ROCKETT DESIGN

Humans have a primal desire to live by the water, even if it means assuming some hardships to do so.…

Custom Doors Open Incredible Possibilities

A grand entrance to a home. A point of passage through an interior. A secure bulwark. A custom door is…

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Sponsored Case Study: Simple Comfort in an Oregon Home

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Sponsored Case Study: Echo Hills Residence by Robert Gurney

Architect Robert Gurney leverages a site’s steeply sloped terrain to transform a suburban Maryland home into a tranquil oasis that takes its cues from nature.

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apartment building case study

RTF | Rethinking The Future

Kanchanjunga Apartments by Charles Correa: The Vertical Bungalows

apartment building case study

A revolutionary high-rise structure, standing 32 storeys high, resonating the values of climate sensitivity and stepping up to the requirement of a growing city, is probably how the Kanchanjunga Apartments could be classified as. The design mind of the Architect, Charles Correa, inexplicably combining the values of Indian Architecture and the knowledge of western styles gained through his years of valuable learning with profound designers and design needs were replicated in this Architectural marvel that stands tall in the crowded south Mumbai metro city. A building so profoundly paradoxical in a city like Mumbai, filled with houses like a matchbox, closed in, finding shelter in every nook and corner, here it stands inviting the city within itself in all its glory

Kanchanjunga Apartments by Charles Correa: The Vertical Bungalows - Sheet1

A contemporary legend | Kanchanjunga Apartments

Kanchanjunga Apartments by Charles Correa: The Vertical Bungalows - Sheet2

Charles Correa has been nothing short of deserving a top tier in the hall of fame for Legendary Architects who’ve made a mark in India. His work has always been a replication of the theories and ideas he synthesized over time. Born in India and educated in Architecture from the USA, he was immensely focused on combining the best of both worlds. The Gandhi Smarak in Ahmedabad epitomizes simplicity in design and thought, but still resonating its language of Architecture, the Jawahar Kala Kendra that never ceases to amaze people with its complexity in scale and material usage, the Belapur Incremental Housing which was a breakthrough in mass housing while maintaining core Indian values, are some examples of Charles Correa’s legacy that remains. Inspired by architects such as Le Corbusier and Kevin Lynch, he created his diverse way of finding solutions to India’s growing problems. From bridging the gap between ideas using Western building techniques and Indian ideologies to blending them seamlessly and making a fusion style that stands on its own, Charles Correa displayed.

The Kanchenjunga is an architectural marvel that still portrays its qualities of being climatically sensitive to the region through its orientation on the site, considering harsh sunlight as well as the cool breeze from the sea. Its immaculate placement is not just limited to the ground level but also micro-organized on the upper-level units as well. The residential tower accomplishes this by positioning itself east-west to capture prevailing sea breezes and a magnificent view of the city. In addition to that, the building amplifies the concept of thermal comfort, to provide a comfortable temperature to the residents occupying these premium units of residences. The popular concept seen in old bungalows, to wrap itself around by a protective layer of verandahs was replicated to scale the towering height of a high-rise building.

Kanchanjunga Apartments by Charles Correa: The Vertical Bungalows - Sheet3

The tower was held together against the shear stress by the core space in the center that included the lifts and staircases as well. The slip method of construction was used for the first time in India, in which concrete is continuously poured onto a moving form, to make the construction precise and time-saving. The core space was constructed before the other parts of the building were done on-site, because of the structural dependency on the core for access during construction as well as structural support. Taking the support of this massive structural system, Correa could provide cantilevered verandah spaces that could span up to 6 m to the side. The deep terrace garden spaces that open up to the outdoors are oriented away from the sun to offer protection from the menacing heat from the south, in Mumbai.

Kanchanjunga Apartments by Charles Correa: The Vertical Bungalows - Sheet5

Another aspect of the building to shield the south sun is the minimal openings on the south, thereby reducing the amount of heat penetrating the living spaces. The hierarchy of spaces inside a unit was evident through the difference of respective volumes from the entrance opening up to the double-height balconies with terrace garden through the interstitial space in between that included a mezzanine floor. Bearing in mind the legible section and its uses, the spatial organization , and planning of the insides are quite complex. The tower includes different units that vary from 3-6 bedrooms showcasing the same principles. The flats are planned for further thermal comfort by enabling the units to cross circulate wind, longitudinally through openings in the building. The Kanchenjunga is almost completely made of concrete, with just the reinforcements by steel In its structure. The R.C.C construction, with an emphasis on the structural core for support with its white-painted plaster finish, gave it the look of skyscrapers that made it to the books in the West. That said, it takes a prodigal Architectural brain to alter the characteristics to the best possible features in a different geographical location such as India.

Kanchanjunga Apartments by Charles Correa: The Vertical Bungalows - Sheet6

An experience within itself

Inclusive of all the architectural complexities and details and the excellence in design, Kanchenjunga is a heap of stories within a city like Mumbai. Known for its overcrowding, minimal space to live, and concrete jungles, the existence of this structure so beautifully designed as to so openly bringing in Mumbai and its beauty, sea and its views, the view of majestic buildings around, and just the lifestyle of the city into the lives of its residents is the beauty of Kanchenjunga. Sure the architect has his own stories to tell about the structure, the thought process, but to just have a structure adapting to a city as to just become a part of it, having balconies so huge that they become the gateway to just take in the city of Mumbai, to be a cozy corner to sit and enjoy the sunset, whilst listening to the waves splashing against the land with its proximity to the sea, Kanchenjunga is surely a haven. The views one different from others, some calming some an inspiration to its residents, the stories, the silence when the city sleeps, the noise, the breeze, Kanchenjunga apart from being a structure is an experience within itself

ArchDaily. (2011). AD Classics: Kanchanjunga Apartments / Charles Correa . [online] Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/151844/ad-classics-kanchanjunga-apartments-charles-correa.

Charles Correa, Pravina Mehta and Shirish Patel (1983). Kanchanjunga Apartments at Cumbala Hill. Journal of The Indian Institute of Architects , [online] 59(02). Available at: https://architexturez.net/doc/az-cf-123762.

‌architectuul.com. (n.d.). Kanchenjunga Apartments . [online] Available at: http://architectuul.com/architecture/kanchenjunga-apartments [Accessed 5 Apr. 2021].

identity housing. (2009). Charles Correa – Kanchanjunga Apartments, Cumballa Hill, Mumbai, 1970-1983 . [online] Available at: https://identityhousing.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/charles-correa-kanchanjunga-apartments-cumballa-hill-mumbai-1970-1983/.

Kanchanjunga Apartments by Charles Correa: The Vertical Bungalows - Sheet1

Darsan Babu, an architect, dreamer and a storyteller who loves to take on challenges and reform perspectives on some days, but sit by the mountain and quote words of Howard Roark on others. Would love to explore all things architecture, educate and shape the Urbanscape soon enough.

apartment building case study

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apartment building case study

Norman Foster and his High-tech Architecture

Diebedo francis kere- first african to win pritzker architecture prize, thomas heatherwick – fascinating architect, oscar niemeyer- hero of the modern architecture, chichu art museum: portrayal of japanese brutalism, biomimicry architecture: eastgate centre – harare, zimbabwe, vastu direction for home, top 10 fabulous wooden structures in the world, 10 upcoming futuristic projects in the world: a glimpse into architecture…, architecture of indian cities: top 10 cities for architects., are the skins of larger buildings prefabricated, what is 3d printing technology how it is used in architecture, the best designing software that every architect must use, best laptop for architecture students in 2021, 5 representations of technology in the world of architecture, unveiling the essence of architecture: a comprehensive exploration, architecture juries – 10 things to remember before them, top 20 architecture colleges in the world, top 20 architecture colleges in india, top 20 architecture colleges in canada, kanchanjunga apartments by charles correa: a climate-based.

kanchanjunga apartments

In 1970, land values were shooting up in Bombay, which resulted in the acceptance of high-rise residential buildings for the developers. Charles Correa accepted one such project in Columba Hill, South Mumbai. He already explored his concepts in the unbuilt cosmopolis of 1958 and the Rallis Apartment leading to the realization of the Kanchanjunga Apartments. Through the influence of vernacular architecture, the design responds to the changing conditions of the climate coupled with the rapid urbanization in the city. Kanchanjunga Apartments is a 32 story residential building consisting of luxury apartments on each floor. This project was done in collaboration with Pravina Mehta as the associate architect and Shirish Patel as the structural engineer.

apartment building case study

  • Architect: Charles Correa
  • Location: Bombay, India
  • Completed on: 1983
  • Building Type: Skyscraper multi-family housing
  • Construction System: Concrete

The Problem

The location and climate of Bombay dispense architects with a dilemma in design. The east-west axis provides ample sightings of the Arabian Sea and the harbor with the added benefit of receiving all the sea breezes. The axis also harbors harsh afternoon sun and troublesome monsoon rains. The situation was unavoidable as the typology of the building is high-rise due to urbanization and high land prices. There was a need to seize the opportunities while carefully designing with limitations in mind.

apartment building case study

The Solution

Correa used an indigenous approach to the spatial organization of a typical bungalow. The main living spaces with an enclosed verandah whilst turning that buffer zone into a garden, thriving on the problem. Because of climatic considerations with existing views, the massing settled upon a configuration facing east and west. Correa interlocked four different apartment units with small variations in levels on the floor leading to the eventual garden verandah suspended in the air. 32 apartments stacked over 28 stories form an interlock of 3 with 4 bedroom units and 5 with 6 bedroom units which reveal themselves through sheer end walls that support the cantilevers.

apartment building case study

The Planning

The arrangement of apartments and the program of various units in the apartment is reminiscent of Le Corbusier’s Unite’ d’Habitation, with a difference of opening up as compared to horizontal corridors. There are two apartments on each floor with the tower core as vertical circulation, with split-level dwellings. The apartments vary from 180 to 420 square meters with bedrooms ranging from 3 to 6. All apartments have servant rooms that are directly connecting to the kitchen.

The interiors are detailing as compared to the simple exterior. Also, the double-height terrace differs from interior and exterior spaces. Within the flat, the users enlive with views of the city out of the living and bedrooms and terraces.

apartment building case study

The Structure and Construction of Kanchanjunga Apartments

The building is a 32-story reinforced concrete structure cantilevering 6.3 meters for the open terraces. The central core addresses the lateral loads while providing for vertical circulation (elevators and staircases). Majorly known for the first building in India constructed through a slip method, that is, construction of the central core before the peripheral structure. So the method was necessary to address the cantilevered terraces. And the floors connect the facade with the structural core. The dual concrete construction forms a tube-in-tube system adding to the stability of the whole tower.

kanchanjunga apartments

Also, Read Aranya Low-cost Housing by BV Doshi

The style certainly is not rigid. It has both aspects of traditional vernacular style through the experience of a bungalow and modern style in terms of its exterior and form. The verandahs being interpreted as garden terraces for each unit while incorporating concrete structure with the white panel areas show a fusion of the opposites that pioneer sustainable design integrated with indigenous environment controls. Therefore the style attracts and deserves attention to traditional interiors and modern exteriors.

kanchanjunga apartments

 The Takeaway Features of Kanchanjunga Apartments

  • 32 unique apartments with four kinds of flats ranging from 3 to 6 bedrooms.
  • Shear end walls holding the cantilevered terrace while visually connecting the floors.
  • The base of the tower is 21 square meters and height is 84 meters which makes it a proportion of 1:4.
  • The double-height terraces are oriented against the sun to protect each apartment unit.
  • Large openings and terrace gardens provide transparency.

apartment building case study

Overall, the techniques and concepts to address problems and opportunities provided by the context were relatively new. The building still stands today and is visiting by countless architecture enthusiasts. Inhabitants also enjoy the lifestyle in the tower that merges two different worlds of styles that were the personality of the architect itself.

kanchanjunga apartments

Also Read: Sheikh Sarai Housing by Raj Rewal, New Delhi

apartment building case study

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Matthew Wieber

Lancaster, PA, US

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Housing Case Study: Narkomfin Apartments

     The project consisted of a case study to be done on a housing project. From the case study, I determined the housing typology, programmatic elements, circulation and unit adjacency and layout, by recreating plans, sections and axonometric drawings, and a sectional model. The purpose of the project was to better understand housing typology and unit adjacency within a housing project and determine the pros and cons of the project and apply it to our own housing design.

    The project I chose was the Narkomfin Apartments, located in Moscow, Russia, designed by Moses Ginzburg and Ignaty Milinis during the Constructivist Movement in Russia while they were under control by the USSR.

Housing Typology:

-Slab Building, Single Orientation Units, Single Loaded Corridors every third floor.

Description:

     The Narkomfin Apartments were built during the Constructivist movement in Russia under the control of the USSR. The project pushed a progressive change in housing, moving from family housing to collective communal housing. This avant-garde type of architecture wanted to promote a socialist way a living, by emphasizing people to occupy public places rather than being withheld to their individual households. The intent of the design was to reduce the size of an individual apartment unit and promote a communal style of living.

    The model unit was separated vertically, where the bedrooms were located in the upper portion and the living and kitchen area located in the lower portion. The kitchen space within each apartment was minimal to insure the use of the communal facilities. The apartment complex consists of two different types of living spaces, “type K” and “type “F”. Each living space was designed for different styles of living. The first, type “K” were for families, allowing more room for a larger amount of people and ample space to cook. The second type, type “F” were better suited for single or smaller groups of people, who wanted to embrace a greater communal living style. This apartment unit contained smaller spaces to eat and cook.

    The building is a single orientation consisting of a single loaded corridor at every third floor, in order for natural light to enter the one side of the building. The apartments were desgined for the workers at the Russian Ministry of Finance. The building is a slab raised off the ground by pilotis, both the top and ground floors of the apartment were used for communal living, while the floors in between contained long corridors and two level apartments. The long interior corridor connected another block building to the apartment, which was also used for the public, containing kitchen, dining hall, and library. This project was not only a progressive step toward a new architecture, but it tried to shape the inhabitants manners and values by instilling a collective and communal behavior, in an attempt to alter social norms.

Status: School Project Location: Moscow, RU

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  1. Apartments - ArchDaily

    50 Apartments and Office at Coligny / MU Architecture.

  2. CASE STUDY

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  4. Case Study: West Chelsea Residence by Luce et Studio

    How do you design an apartment that was originally meant for Zaha Hadid in a building she also designed? Jennifer’s clients, a West Coast couple she’s known for some time, had searched extensively for an upgrade to their pied-à-terre in New York City when they stopped by the sales office of this new building on the High Line.

  5. Small apartment architecture and interior design - Dezeen

    Stories on the architecture and design of small apartments, including a 33 square-metre guesthouse in Taipei and a tiny studio flat in Tokyo.

  6. CASE STUDIES - Residential Design

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  7. Kanchanjunga Apartments by Charles Correa: The Vertical ...

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  9. Housing Case Study: Narkomfin Apartments - Archinect

    Description: The Narkomfin Apartments were built during the Constructivist movement in Russia under the control of the USSR. The project pushed a progressive change in housing, moving from family housing to collective communal housing.

  10. Apartments - ArchDaily

    The most inspiring residential architecture, interior design, landscaping, urbanism, and more from the world’s best architects. Find all the newest projects in the category Apartments.