Archana Sujith Lakshmanan

CR4005

This course focuses on the critical importance of everyday care, repair, and maintenance of historic housing as well as modernist housing to combat housing stress. By emphasizing the conservation and retrofitting of existing structures, rather than relying solely on new construction, the project aims to address housing shortages sustainably. It seeks to extend the concept of conservation to everyday-built forms, which require ongoing upkeep due to various factors including aging, material degradation, climate shifts, evolving resident needs, and technological advancements. In two significant locations within Surat, the focus on structural stability and meeting the aspirations and needs of the people drove the project's direction. Meanwhile, in the context of modernist housing, the emphasis was on addressing major repairs and additions to prevent demolition and new construction.