1. The stretch on Kolkata’s Rani Rashmoni Road leading visitors to the Kali Dakshineshwar Temple had been grappling with severe congestion. Devotees throng the iconic seat of Hindu worship in the thousands, and footfalls swell up tremendously during festivities.
    Moreover, vehicles used the same road to navigate, and scores of peddlers had set up shop, selling puja merchandise to make a living. Such inconvenience was uncalled for, and a matter of concern that needed to be addressed in earnest.
    DFI drew up a proposal for a 340-metre long, 10.5-metre-wide elevated walkway that would decongest the street, transport worshippers above grade, while also relocating hawkers to modular shops lined uniformly along the centre of the structure. The walkway is modern, and futuristic, ensconced in glass and steel, its prominent, curvilinear profile heralding a new architectural language, proclaiming to be a one-of-its-kind avant-garde intervention that had no precedence in the city.
    The Dakshineshwar Skywalk has been realized as a robust symbol, a landmark complementing Kolkata’s series of iconic bridges that span the Hooghly. Designed with meticulous attention to seamless egress, and the scope of better livelihood for hawkers, it capitalizes on the existing commotion in the neighbourhood. Combining modularity, fluidity and dynamism with playful aesthetics, it aims to identify itself as not just a functional solution, but as a visual spectacle that would inspire citizens and become integral to the narrative of the city itself.
    In the long run, projects such as the skywalk in Kolkata hope to be perceived as influencers of urban morphology, embodying fundamental design principles as well as cutting-edge technology, a contemporary response to protracted mobility issues. The physical translation of the concept resonates with the dynamism and energy of the citizenry — the pulsating waveform a palpable expression of its hopes and devotion.

    Design Forum International is a young-old organization with almost 25 years of experience that has quickly set the right foot to be one of the best architecture firms in India. The firm is a vibrant mix of young and experienced professionals bounded by a common thread: the passion to design. An active contributor to the Nation Building drive and the Indian infrastructural boom, DFI holds vast industry experience in both national and international projects with millions of square feet of construction in a varied range of typology like Affordable Housing, Master planning, Mixed use & Retail, Institutional as well as Healthcare. Some of DFI’s notable projects include the famous Select Citywalk mall, and the recently inaugurated New Courts Block of Delhi High Court., the ITO Skywalk, Delhi and the Dakshineshwar Skywalk in Kolkata. The Guwahati International Airport in Assam, designed by DFI is also under completion and is scheduled for completion in 2021.

    5

    View comments


  2. As the nation grows by leaps and bounds, new roads are constructed, and existing ones widened to accommodate the motorist. The encroachment of roads into pavements has shoved the pedestrian into the fringes, marginalizing him into shrinking corners, with not enough space to walk. Delhi is notorious for its blatant disregard for pedestrian traffic, seen struggling day-to-day navigating dangerously amidst rows of speeding cars.
    Pedestrian over-bridges and subways offer little respite, often due to unsuitable location, poor quality of design, and/or lack of maintenance. The infrastructure becomes redundant and more of a menace than anything else. Pedestrians tend to hit the roads, squeezing past grilled dividers and fences, risking their lives to save a little time and effort. Unless lifts, escalators, and ramps function as envisioned, there is little meaning left in the use of over-bridges. In cities like Mumbai, weakened over-bridges crumbled, resulting in disgraceful accidents, ones that were waiting to happen under ignorance and apathy.
    The city, though in recent times, has managed to successfully install and operate a number of skywalks — a popular term for pedestrian foot over-bridges and elevated walkways that transport pedestrians daily above a sea of unimpeded traffic. DFI secured the opportunity to connect four principal streets at the infamous ITO intersection in Central Delhi, where no effective strategy was in place for the flood of commuters witnessed crossing the streets during rush hour.
    Infrastructure projects underpin DFI’s nation-building endeavor on the lines of urban design, where safety, walkability, and sustainability govern the execution process. Though the project encompasses all parameters of public safety and facilitates urban mobility efficiently, the ITO Skywalk was designed to not just as a symbol of utility but also — through its sinuous profile and compelling aesthetic — establish itself as a landmark within the city.
    The design for skywalks needs to be more pedestrian-centric than ever thought of before. Architects, planners, and policymakers cannot afford to neglect or make uninformed choices about the future of pedestrian mobility. In light of unfortunate incidents, the clarion call for meaningful spaces that promote walkability has been sounded. Skywalks are one of the many different approaches to tackle this problem. You are welcome to share more.

    Photograph by: Andre J. Fanthome

    Design Forum International is a young-old organization with almost 25 years of experience that has quickly set the right foot to be one of the best architecture firms in India. The firm is a vibrant mix of young and experienced professionals bounded by a common thread: the passion to design. An active contributor to the Nation Building drive and the Indian infrastructural boom, DFI holds vast industry experience in both national and international projects with millions of square feet of construction in a varied range of typology like Affordable Housing, Master planning, Mixed use & Retail, Institutional as well as Healthcare. Some of DFI’s notable projects include the famous Select Citywalk mall, and the recently inaugurated New Courts Block of Delhi High Court., the ITO Skywalk, Delhi and the Dakshineshwar Skywalk in Kolkata. The Guwahati International Airport in Assam, designed by DFI is also under completion and is scheduled for completion in 2021.
    0

    Add a comment



  3. Simple design considerations based on the foundation of climatology and mindfulness are adequate to address low-cost housing problems.
    A Vastu-compliant layout that concerns itself with a compact core, rooms admitting daylight and a ventilated kitchen area are fundamental to the scheme. In addition, ancillary areas including store, laundry, and study should be well integrated within the design. Specification on finishes must be adhered to since their application ensures longevity and stability.
    Facades require informed decision-making and adequate cost-effective measures can maximize the overall economic viability of their functioning. One should stick to effective, breathing facades with well-designed fenestration and avoid frills altogether.
    One can borrow from the expertise and ingenuity of BV Doshi’s spectacular success, the Aranya Housing in Indore, providing for roughly 80,000 families and instilling a sense of community wellbeing in the neighborhood. Such designs are welcome where the community becomes an active participant in the healthy functioning of the residential cluster. Integration of a comprehensive landscape scheme underscores the ideals of a secure, balanced lifestyle, encouraging inhabitants to thrive.
    At DFI, we toil to craft such solutions, be it the BDI Ambaram at Bhiwadi, or the Surya Housing in Lucknow. ‘Concept Homes’ explores the premise of homeowners exercising complete flexibility with room configurations. Room sizes can be customized and functions can change over time. Besides, employing foldable furniture encourages economical use of space. Such simple interventions go a long way in minimizing costs and become vital components of low-cost housing design. Compared to similar developments, we managed to lower costs by a staggering 15-25%.
    Parking design still remains an unresolved subject, a classic case of neglect and apathy on all fronts. A facility as basic a two-wheeler parking, if overlooked can prove to be detrimental to the entire project, resulting in unwarranted encroachment, and ensuing chaos.
    The sector will see a sharp rise in the coming years, as a consequence of the sharp migration pattern towards urban agglomerations and the country should hope for responsibility and cooperation among all stakeholders.
    Taking cue from African nations such as Kenya and Rwanda, where developers such as Karibu Homes are taking the bull by the horns, we need to inculcate a similar mindset and a sense of accountability to lead the way.
    Design Forum International is a young-old organization with almost 25 years of experience that has quickly set the right foot to be one of the best architecture firms in India. The firm is a vibrant mix of young and experienced professionals bounded by a common thread: the passion to design. An active contributor to the Nation Building drive and the Indian infrastructural boom, DFI holds vast industry experience in both national and international projects with millions of square feet of construction in a varied range of typology like Affordable Housing, Master planning, Mixed-use & Retail, Institutional as well as Healthcare. Some of DFI’s notable projects include the famous Select Citywalk mall, and the recently inaugurated New Courts Block of Delhi High Court., the ITO Skywalk, Delhi and the Dakshineshwar Skywalk in Kolkata. The Guwahati International Airport in Assam, designed by DFI is also under completion and is scheduled for completion in 2021.

    7

    View comments




  4. Low-cost housing in India has, for decades been proposed and propagated by successive governments to alleviate poverty, and provide safe and secure livelihoods for millions. The demand-supply gap has remained a major deterrent in the present scenario, and our nation has borne the brunt of the real estate recession for the last decade, with no immediate respite in sight.
    Schemes such as the PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana) that aim at providing housing facility to all by 2022, may be deemed unrealistic by many, but are a welcome initiative. With Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar leading the way, incentives and other financial benefits, including a 100% tax exemption have been offered to developers to build affordable homes. Haryana, in fact has formulated a comprehensive affordable housing policy, subject to periodic amendments and scrutiny, to ensure things go as envisaged.
    Often, the premise of low-cost housing is misconstrued in India, with builders compromising on basic amenities, evading building norms and practising unsafe modes of construction to extract a fair margin. Such housing schemes generally target the EWS and LIG, hence, construction is carried out in haste with poor management and abysmal quality of work. This flawed mentality needs to be addressed in earnest, if the liveability of inhabitants is to be improved. A strong emphasis on value engineering is needed, ensuring that construction costs are minimized while retaining quality, thereby encouraging a sensitive and responsible temperament amongst builders. An affordable home embodies value for money, and stands as a testament to economically sound and efficient design.
    Moreover, the lack of a suitable building and financial model is an issue that needs to be resolved. Homebuyers’ aspirations dwell on our responsibilities as architects; and as shapers of society, a simple, tried and tested methodology within a set, disciplined framework is sufficient to build the ideal home.
    Design Forum International is a young-old organization with almost 25 years of experience that has quickly set the right foot to be one of the best architecture firms in India. The firm is a vibrant mix of young and experienced professionals bounded by a common thread: the passion to design. An active contributor to the Nation Building drive and the Indian infrastructural boom, DFI holds vast industry experience in both national and international projects with millions of square feet of construction in a varied range of typology like Affordable Housing, Master planning, Mixed use & Retail, Institutional as well as Healthcare. Some of DFI’s notable projects include the famous Select Citywalk mall, and the recently inaugurated New Courts Block of Delhi High Court., the ITO Skywalk, Delhi and the Dakshineshwar Skywalk in Kolkata. The Guwahati International Airport in Assam, designed by DFI is also under completion and is scheduled for completion in 2021.

    0

    Add a comment


  5. Land is a limited commodity; and with a rapidly urbanizing nation, the subject of providing affordable housing gains precedence. Housing shortage is a profound crisis that has plagued India for decades, and architects have labored to craft simple, cost-effective solutions, but such schemes are executed mostly in relative isolation, with a little overall effect, creating ripples of change that lose their essence in the conundrum of this complex socio-economic situation.  
    Design Forum International hopes to add new meaning to the affordable housing typology, raising the bar through novel ideas and a multiplicity of architectural projects. Affordable housing is driving growth in real estate, and the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojna PMAY has reinforced its role as a game-changer in the wake of the surging middle class.
    Our earnest Nation Building venture argues that building for our people is as much a facet of this philosophy as the erection of public monuments and ambitious edifices. Affordable homes must be designed sustainably and in equal measure in order to allow the citizens to flourish, and thereby better contribute to the economy. DFI makes the case through a handful of exemplary solutions, such as the Devaan housing scheme, that was conceived as Haryana’s first affordable housing project; and the BDI Ambaram at Bhiwadi, that breathes fresh life into a residential township.
    The projects foster growth by offering residents above-average lifestyle options. Modular construction brings down costs, and amenities have been made to match the initial prices and maintenance costs during the building’s lifespan. The landscape itself forms a core component of the design, a means by which to engage residents and enhance liveability. 
    An egalitarian, all-pervasive thought process underscores the premise behind our keen inclination towards building affordable homes. As shapers and humble participants in the urban realm, it stands to reason that we commit purposefully to bring about transformative change for posterity. This isn’t just our cause to respond to; we assert that all stakeholders involved contribute wholeheartedly. Only then can we can stand united to alleviate the problem.
    Devaan is the first Haryana's first residential housing project.
    Haryana’s first residential housing project, Devaan’s strategy is rooted in cost control by maximizing efficiency. The project’s success lies in its ingenious use of shear walls to form a robust structure, thereby reducing the thickness of walls and slabs without undermining building stability.
    Devaan reflects a sensibility of design that is empathetic to its users. Not only it serves to deliver the essential functions of a dwelling but makes an effort to reach further in providing its inhabitants a sense of community life, participation, and ideals. This affordable housing project presents a landmark value to the state that will continue to define the ethics of design practice for years to come.


    Design Forum International is a young-old organization with more than 20 years of experience that has quickly set the right foot to be one of the best architecture firms in India. The firm is a vibrant mix of young and experienced professionals bounded by a common thread: the passion to design. An active contributor to the NationBuilding drive and the Indian infrastructural boom, DFI holds vast industry experience in both national and international projects with millions of square feet of construction in a varied range of typology like Affordable Housing, Master planning, Mixed-use & Retail, Institutional as well as Healthcare.  Some of DFI’s notable projects include the famous Select Citywalk mall, and the recently inaugurated New Courts Block of Delhi High Court., the ITO Skywalk, Delhi and the Dakshineshwar Skywalk in Kolkata. The Guwahati International Airport in Assam, designed by DFI is also under completion and is scheduled for completion in 2021.
    0

    Add a comment


  6. Nation Building- Pedestrian Safety
    Design Forum International
    Infrastructure in India is growing at a scorching pace, adding roads, railways and metros etc. in the transport segment. They're augmented with education, health care, and civic infrastructure to keep pace with the demographic transformation.  At Design Forum International, one of the best architecture firms in India, we have witnessed a rapid transition from a third world country to the fastest growing economy.

    An aerial view of the ITO Skywalk from the roof of the Supreme Court building.
    ITO Skywalk, New Delhi
    The ITO Skywalk touches one of the lines if the complex grid of Urbanism. The idea is to cater to more than 30,000 pedestrians on a daily basis in the absence of free-flowing pedestrian walkways. The design intent is to create a Free on Board skywalk to allocate the mobility flow at the junctions of ITO. The ITO and W point junctions cross-cater to one of the busiest mobile cross-junctions in the city. The area also includes a very robust, well-networked public transportation system with the  ITO  and  Pragati Maidan metro stations along with Tilak  Bridge  Railway  Station.  High volumes of the cross junction hours between 16,000  PCU  to  20,000  PCU and at the  W  junction at around 12,000  PCU.

    The Dakshineshwar Skywalk solves the problem of walkability in a busy urban junction by segregating the traffic.
    Dakshineshwar Skywalk, Kolkata
    Dakshineshwar Kali Temple continues to draw a huge number of devotees all around the year and is one of the most visited places in of worship in India. The West Bengal Government tasked Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority to create a design brief and project report to enable the floating of tenders leading up to design and build solutions to resolve the situation. A crystallized design brief emerged, crafting the Skywalk to create a connection between the traffic rotary and the entrance gates of the temple compound with a provision of 14 escalators, 4 elevators, and 8 staircases to allow devotees and users to embark and disembark from the Skywalk. The Skywalk is rooted in modernity and is a contemporary response to the problems generated over the years.

    Design Forum International continues to guard its acclaimed stature by discharging its duties at par-excellence.

    Design Forum International is a young-old organization with more than 20 years of experience that has quickly set the right foot to be one of the best architecture firms in India. The firm is a vibrant mix of young and experienced professionals bounded by a common thread: the passion to design. An active contributor to the NationBuilding drive and the Indian infrastructural boom, DFI holds vast industry experience in both national and international projects with millions of square feet of construction in a varied range of typology like Affordable Housing, Master planning, Mixed-use & Retail, Institutional as well as Healthcare.  Some of DFI’s notable projects include the famous Select Citywalk mall, and the recently inaugurated New Courts Block of Delhi High Court., the ITO Skywalk, Delhi and the Dakshineshwar Skywalk in Kolkata. The Guwahati International Airport in Assam, designed by DFI is also under completion and is scheduled for completion in 2021.

    0

    Add a comment




  7. By Design Forum International

    Walkability, as defined by Wikipedia, is a measure of how friendly an area is for walking. It has health, environmental and economic benefits. When we put these words into practical use in our daily life in India, we realize the real importance of this term. Walkability can also be defined as the freedom to move through various blocks in a safe environment without having to worry about cars, motorcycles. It is when we let these words sink in, look out our office or shop window do we realize the scope of massive development that lies ahead for an architecture or infrastructure firm in a country like India and a metropolitan city like New Delhi.
    In the 41st edition of Architecture & Society Talk, GREHA, Ar. Goonmeet Singh Chauhan, founding partner Design Forum International, one of the best architects in India said, “Until we restore walkability to the city, there is little possibility for sustainable growth”
     We live in the fastest growing economy of the world and yet, we fail to measure the real factors that make a country worth living. We have to hire taxis, autos or take a bus to reach the closest metro station because it is just not possible to “walk”. Across many parts of New Delhi, there are proper pavements but they are filled with parked cars. At other places, they are filled with illegal hawkers, making it impossible to take a stroll without worrying about oncoming traffic.
    This is why, when projects like ITO Skywalk, Dakshineshwer Skywalk, Kolkata are commissioned, it brings a cheer to the 30,000 odd public who know they can use it to get from point A to B in the safest way possible. Such projects propel New Delhi and other metropolitan cities into a new era of development where the focus is not just on towering buildings and high skyscrapers, but the focus is also on the common man and his comforts so that every man and woman can get some benefit, economic or otherwise. It speaks of a country which is ready to listen to the voices of the everyday man and is ready to create an infrastructure that caters to their needs.

    Design Forum International is a young-old organization with almost 25 years of experience that has quickly set the right foot to be one of the best architecture firms in India. The firm is a vibrant mix of young and experienced professionals bounded by a common thread: the passion to design. An active contributor to the Nation Building drive and the Indian infrastructural boom, DFI holds vast industry experience in both national and international projects with millions of square feet of construction in a varied range of typology like Affordable Housing, Master planning, Mixed use & Retail, Institutional as well as Healthcare.  Some of DFI’s notable projects include the famous Select Citywalk mall, and the recently inaugurated New Courts Block of Delhi High Court., the ITO Skywalk, Delhi and the Dakshineshwar Skywalk in Kolkata. The Guwahati International Airport in Assam, designed by DFI is also under completion and is scheduled for completion in 2021.

    0

    Add a comment

  8. By Design Forum International

    The hospitality industry is catering to a higher number of attendees who are looking for hotels ranging from budget to luxury ones, either for work or leisure. Depending on the need that a hotel is catering to, new hotels are being set up while keeping various factors in mind, such as distance from airport/railway station, distance to various markets etc. Yet, there are certain common factors that are regarded by both the categories; quality of accommodations, quality of service as well as the scope of area available. Hotels are either set up as a standalone concept or as a part of a retail space such as a mall where it enjoys more cross-selling and common clientele like Svelte Hotel in Select City Walk Mall, New Delhi, designed by Design Forum International.
    Hotel design is a lot more about the experiential approach in India. Travel is on the rising ad volumes are key. Increasing focus on the arrival, the reception etc. is all part of the experience, the differentiation, the influencing perception of a guest.    Architectural firms should consider public spaces very important as they form a part of the experience. As an example,  Nand Vilaas in Rajasthan, designed by Design Forum International using classical elements recreate a pure and old world charm of Rajasthan. The heritage of Mewar style architecture is carefully balanced by the contemporary interiors. It is important to be sensitive to the local culture, the local connect manifested in the use of materials, bringing local craftsmanship to the fore, trying to find a fusion which marries design sensibilities with regional flavors, as the design trend is gradually leaning towards a lot of contextuality into the hotel built environment and built form. We are seeing the emergence of an architectural style which is a great mélange of the two, the modernity of the times sitting very cozily with the centuries-old craftsmanship of stone and wood, in a way mirroring the entire Indian society and mental state.

    Design Forum International is a young-old organization with about 25 years of experience that has quickly set the right foot to be one of the best architecture firms in India. The firm is a vibrant mix of young and experienced professionals bounded by a common thread: the passion to design. An active contributor to the NationBuilding drive and the Indian infrastructural boom, DFI holds vast industry experience in both national and international projects with millions of square feet of construction in a varied range of typology like Affordable Housing, Master planning, Mixed-use & Retail, Institutional as well as Healthcare.  Some of DFI’s notable projects include the famous Select Citywalk mall, and the recently inaugurated New Courts Block of Delhi High Court., the ITO Skywalk, Delhi and the Dakshineshwar Skywalk in Kolkata. The Guwahati International Airport in Assam, designed by DFI is also under completion and is scheduled for completion in 2021.

    0

    Add a comment



  9. By, Anoj Tevatia, Founding Partner
    Design Forum International


    Our future is thriving to be wireless.  Anything connected through a cord or a wirewill act as a restriction; it will restrict the flexibility and circulation within our own abodes as well.  Today, Home Automationis in its initial stage of growth and with many new features proposed for the years to come, upgrading our homes for a wireless future will be very convenient and could be easily achieved.
    In a scenario, where someone is away from their home and has forgotten to switch off an electrical appliance, like a gas stove or an air conditioner, accessing the controls remotely through home automation apps, without being physically present in the space, will come practical, useful and easy-to-use. Apart from all these, safety surveillance and access control is something which, today, is a compulsive part of the home automation system for each and every household.
    Talking about features in the home automation systems or futuristic homes, there are multiple aspects like controlling, monitoring devices, appliances, air-conditioning systems or lighting control and other elements. This results in reduced costs.
    Among countless, undesirable incidents which take place these days, intrusion or trespassing is one of the major and utmost concerns. Security interfaces like these enable homeowners to be vigilant and observant of the various activities that are taking place in their premises, in their absence. So the surveillance cameras connected and integrated through the systems can raise an alarm. Action can be taken immediately. Hence, home automation is not a luxury, it is convenience and security. It has become more a part of everyone’s home as it helps to utilize things, eliminating problems, eliminating issues, avoiding bigger problems or disasters through this technology. Futuristic homes or the smart home is going to make life much convenient that interacting with your home will be just a click of away!

    0

    Add a comment

  10. By: Smirati Bhatnagar

    Design Head, Design Forum International

    Today, technology plays a vitally important role in our daily lives; our smart-phones, tablets, and laptops, almost feel like an extension of our own selves at times. India is the fastest growing tech-hub in the world, where technology companies have driven growth, created jobs, and increased access to resources, education, and healthcare, thereby resulting in falling poverty levels and improved lifestyles. Our nation is currently at the forefront of innovation and technology in the world; India ranks as the second most connected country in the world in terms of population, providing internet access to almost 350 million people. Now that the entire world seems to be wrapped around our fingertips, the time is ripe for increased integration of smart technology into the daily chores of our lives. We envision our homes merely as places of shelter. Imagine if they could also take care of us! Wouldn’t that be a giant leap forward?

    Picture this: You’ve been working through the night, preparing for an early morning meeting. You wake up late and have no time to wait for the water heater to warm the water. You rush your bath with cold water, dress up quickly, grab a toast, miss your morning coffee, and leave home. You take a cab, and in five minutes, begin to feel that same old anxious pull: Something is wrong! Did I leave the gas on? Did I turn the lights off? Did I lock the windows? And oh, I forgot to water the plants, again! You’re left with two options now: either you let anxiety eat away at you throughout the day, or you rush back home to check.

    With home automation systems in place, however, the entire story would have unfolded in a vastly different way. The water heater would’ve switched itself on ten minutes before your alarm went off, and the coffee-maker five minutes after. You could’ve programmed and controlled your sprinkler system to water the plants at specific times during the day in accordance to weather conditions. The lamps, the thermostat, the gas, and the television, would’ve automatically turned off the moment you locked the door while activating the security system through your smart-phone. You wouldn’t have been left with that all too familiar feeling of ‘something is wrong,’ and instead, you could’ve relaxed and concentrated on your work the entire day, coming back to a house that would’ve welcomed you with warmth and a freshly-brewed coffee waiting in the kitchen. Intrigued yet?

    While home automation has been around for many decades in terms of minor control of lighting, appliances, and security systems, it has recently caught up with the idea of an interconnected world that allows full control of your home from anywhere on the planet. The latest technological advancements make it possible to holistically regulate the response of a device: how it should respond when it should respond, and why it should respond. Furthermore, the systems available today are remarkably smart: they begin to learn a user’s habits, which makes it possible for them to predict what they want in the absence of clear instructions.

    The homes of the future will undoubtedly have a mind of their own; digital ears and eyes possess the ability to make our lives more efficient and comfortable than ever. In India, invariably, everyone is in a hurry, but always late. We urgently need to de-clutter our lives to increase our productivity and the quality of our experiences. This is a job home automation does best! Let’s, therefore, make an informed choice and invest in a smarter tomorrow!


    0

    Add a comment

Loading