Copy something good
I was looking for a flat for one of my NRI friend here in Chennai. This side activity prompted me to look more closely at the floor plans of apartment projects supposedly promoted by top builders.
If there’s one word to describe some of the designs, I guess it had to be ‘crap’. I myself have visited some apartment complexes on various occasions which definitely fall under the ‘crap’ category. And no, i’m not talking about buildings by small time builders or Housing Boards. Those are relatively better honestly.
I understand for any design there is a business goal and user goal. But does it make sense to have a dwelling unit without proper ventilation? I have personally seen buildings where people almost need torch lights even during day time.
My point is, there are plenty of good buildings with good design. Why can’t the architects just copy those if they cannot come up with something good and original? I think it’s ok to copy so long as you know what you are copying and why.
Obviously senseless design is not just restricted to residential buildings. Take for instance the glass buildings for IT companies. Every damn office of any IT major will sport a glass facade. From whatever little I’ve heard, glass retains the heat within the building. So it makes sense to have glass buildings if you are in Europe.
But howabout glass buildings in Chennai? That too considering employees would stay for 12-16 hours. To add to it, the air conditioners would purr for 24 hours a day. What is the energy cost and environment cost? And that too when you can optimise it by more efficient design. I guess those architects do it because it looks cool, and because other architects have done it.
‘Good designers copy, great designers steal’ is what Pablo Picasso is reported to have said. That sentence by itself, though true, is not complete. I think good designers copy good ideas. On the other hand, crappy designers steal crap.
April 19th, 2007 at 11:40 am
adhuku dhaan Flat ku badula landed house vanganum nu solluvanga. oru chinna veedu vanga solllungo unga friend-a
April 19th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
PK sir Picasso kalathulae google varalai adhan padhiyoda niruthittaru..:)
Sari sari neenga veedu ellam nalla parkureengae nijamavae ungae NRI friendukku thane..:))..
April 19th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Hello Karthi..I have an architect friend. What she says is , plans that are submitted to the CMDA has to be strictly followed these days.
lol ).
There is only so many sq.ft you can built in a piece of land. So to optimise , the architects are forced to compromise on many factors. Believe it or not I have seen a flat with no windows for he kitchen (its only 10 by 5 though) . Most of the time , the builders enclose the balcony space to make the rooms larger.
I would’nt be hasty in blaming the architects. I have seen from close quarters what happens to the original plan and design.The builder makes profit from each sq.foot of built up area.
But I agree that none of the builders or even private clients think of practicality. When the architect says to go for marble flooring for practical reasons…they would insist on granite for looks. That’s just an example.
Another thing I noticed is the chute that is given ,into which windows from kitchens or bathrooms of the apts around the chutes open out to. Though there are exhaust fans , it does not serve the purpose as the chute is a very narrow one.
As far as I know , I’d blame the architect less and the builder more.
I agree with what Vatsan says..if u want a perfect house , just buy a piece of land and build one (’chinna’ or otherwise
(Aamam…ponnunga ellam sondha kadha soga kadhaya avanga friendudhunnu solluvaangannu kindal pannuvaanga ……aambalainga ellam veedu vaangumpodhu friendkkunnu solluvaangala ?
)
April 20th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Karthik,
Good article on apartments.. I personally know how it works (at least on my apartment), they show an initial plan, which for most part looks good, but when they are in the process of building it, the plan changes on the fly… stupid. They cite several undeniable reasons which most of the tenants agree, but my mom didn’t (as my brother told how this works). They take some money on the side.. cut costs, get cheap labor (who doesn’t know shit).. ayyooo.. 8 months of torture dude. My mom was in the verge of filing an official complaint to the court.
It would have been lot of better, if we built it on our own, yeah, cost would go up, but at least we will be satisfied in shaping up a home that was on our mind.
OK.. enough of my pollambals.. can you look for an apartment for me in Chennai.. I’m a friend of that NRI friend.. illaya…
:)
~ Gopi
April 23rd, 2007 at 9:44 am
Gopi,
neeye oru NRI friend dhaaney da
will mail you on this
sree,
hope u read Gopi’s comments
balar,
neengalum Gopi comment padinga
vatsan,
unnai madhiri vasadhiyaana party (having a house in RA puram et al) only can afford an individual house da
April 23rd, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Am kind of in the same boat here, trying to find a flat in sing. chenn. So please to look for me too
April 23rd, 2007 at 7:37 pm
@PK Sir
I second Gopi…
can you look for an apartment for me in Chennai. :))))
April 23rd, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Karthi…enakku kooda Hiranandhani maari edhavu nalla project vandha sollunga
Thanks in advance
April 24th, 2007 at 4:21 am
Hi PK…response heavya iruku…seekramay “PK promotors” nu business arampichiralam pola….all the best…..:-)
April 25th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
cipher,
adhu onnu dhaaan baaki
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