Housing for all (PMAYG) Prototypes - Bhopal

PMAY‑G is an owner‑driven government housing scheme, which means people build for themselves with technical support. We are designing total 8 prototypes in 7 Districts of Bhopal.

The Bhopal prototype is an exercise in creating familiar comfort through thoughtful design. It is designed to feel generous and intuitive, prioritizing the social and sensory experience of home life. The Veranda is conceived not merely as an entrance but as the social heart of the dwelling.

Its floor of cool, local red sandstone offers a durable surface for the high traffic of daily life, from children’s games to the sorting of grains after a harvest. The stone bench is more than seating; it is an invitation for conversation with a passing neighbor and a vantage point to watch the world go by. It also holds a space as a shoe rack. During the heavy monsoons, it becomes an essential, sheltered extension of the home.

Integrated into the Verandah is the dedicated matka niche, a simple but profound gesture that elevates the act of offering water to a visitor and ensures the pot remains cool in the shade.

Stepping inside, the space is defined by the quality of light and air. The deep bay window, rather than being a mere opening, projects outward to form a cozy baithak, a warm pool of sunlight in the winter and a breezy perch during summer afternoons. This single architectural move provides seating, light, and ventilation while eliminating the need for an additional cot or bench.

The interior floor uses Kirkawa, a traditional lime and surkhi (brick powder) mixture. Its hand-burnished, monolithic surface has a soft sheen, feels cool to the touch, and crucially, it breathes. Unlike impervious cement floors that can trap moisture and feel damp, the Kirkawa allows vapour to pass through, contributing to a healthier indoor environment.

Above the kitchen, the Atari (loft) creates a cozy and a quiet corner for a child to study or a secure sleeping space. Thermally, this added volume is critical, allowing hot air to stratify high above the main occupied zone, making the living area significantly more comfortable on hot days. The very walls of CSEB contribute to this comfort, their earthy tones creating a calming atmosphere while their thermal mass passively moderates the indoor temperature. The mosaic of waste broken tiles is used in the kitchen walls, one of that wall is the brick Jali for better ventilation.