Architects at Piercy Conner Architects and Designers Architectenbureau cepezed , UK firm responsible for Kolkata’s selected design, recognise that contemporary housing rarely deviates from the accepted model of sealed cellular spaces, which often fails to respond to demographic and environmental conditions. So in designing for the Indian location, their self-imposed challenge was to create an economically viable alternative that would be “expressive, joyful and responsive to the environment.”

Their solution is based on a dwelling design Piercy Conner calls SymHouse Mk1. SymHouse conceptualizes the symbiotic relationship of a sealed, conditioned contemporary living space enveloped by a permeable responsive outer skin. As the two “natures” permeate each other, the in-between spaces become an outdoor room and the internal spaces engage with the landscape.

The concept creates a hierarchy of community, semi-private and private spaces that are designed to encourage engagement within the local context, while still providing secure and safe homes. The landscape is used to reinforce the idea of event spaces, and a secret garden creates a semi-private retreat.

“Kit of Parts” strategy

The SymHomes delivery strategy is based on a factory produced, precise “kit of parts” and simple robust detailing. The assembly process borrows from high-speed commercial office construction, utilising the existing supply chain infrastructure. SymHomes uses a series of identical rectangular units arranged around a central core to maximise the economies of repetition as well as shared core areas, such as the stairs, lift, and community space.

The structure has a steel frame with concrete floor slabs on profiled metal decking. The structural frame is fabricated as individual elements within the steel fabrication shop and assembled on-site using bolted connections. This approach has inherent advantages. First, it enables the “kit of parts” strategy with significant repeatability, unit-to-unit and floor-to-floor. Second, the structure’s dimensional accuracy is achieved using the factory shop’s controlled environment and skilled labour. Yet, thirdly, locally available semi-skilled labour can be employed to raise the building, which can bring construction costs down.

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