Domus India – March 2018

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The gallery itself is divided into three

spaces. First is the Research Area — a

large area comprising a selection of

‘chronotopes’ that is, case studies, which

discuss in detail the changing policies,

social needs, and evolution of housing

practices through key projects. Viewers

can study these in their own time; there

is a large table that allows for small groups

to assemble and go over the material

together. Though informative, this part

of the exhibition is most relevant for

architects and urban planners, as it is

also the most technical in nature, and

puts across the position of planners and

urbanists in the housing conversation.

The second key space is that of the

Model Flat, and consists of a 1:1 scale

model (30 sqm) of a standard house

provided by state-run housing schemes

for the economically backward sections

of society. While going through it, and

looking at the images of the interiors of

actual flats shot by German photographer

Peter Bialobrzeski, it is but obvious that

This page: The 'State of
Housing' film by Sanjiv
Shah articulates the
pan-Indian reality of the
housing crisis across the
country. Opposite page,
top and bottom: the
timeline that runs through
the exhibition space
communicates the salient
data and dimensions of the
question of housing as well
as an unfolding and
representation of
aspirations, realities and
imaginaries of housing in
India between 1947-2017

Does the government-

mandated 30sqm urban

housing unit relate to its

context — culture,

geography, and climate?