Aavash – An Inclusive Living Habitat for All

  • Date : 2022

Project Description

Aavash is a design response to Nepal’s rising urban housing demand, envisioned as a socially inclusive and environmentally responsive neighborhood. The project rethinks conventional housing by integrating mixed-income groups into a shared, walkable community with layered public spaces, diverse housing typologies, and sustainable infrastructure. Designed as a living habitat rather than just a collection of dwellings, Aavash promotes equity, well-being, and belonging through spatial planning that encourages both privacy and interaction. Its modular housing blocks, context-sensitive materiality, and integration of nature aim to create a resilient and adaptable urban model that serves a spectrum of family types and economic backgrounds.


Design Intent

  • Promote social inclusion by integrating lower, middle, and higher-income groups within one cohesive neighborhood.
  • Ensure affordability while maintaining architectural dignity and functional quality.
  • Design public spaces as active, engaging zones that foster interaction and well-being.
  • Use modularity and simplicity in housing units to respond to construction efficiency and evolving family structures.

Planning & Typology

  • Five housing clusters arranged around shared courtyards and central green zones.
  • Typologies include: - Detached Housing (6 Anna) - Row Housing (4 Anna) - Mid-Rise Apartments (2BHK, 3BHK) - Low-Cost Units for economically weaker sections
  • Units designed using modular grids for spatial efficiency and flexibility.
  • Central spine road with secondary pedestrian lanes and minimal vehicular intrusion.

Sustainability & Infrastructure

  • Passive strategies: orientation, ventilation, courtyards, and shading for thermal comfort.
  • Rainwater harvesting and greywater treatment for landscape use and irrigation.
  • Rooftop solar integration to reduce energy demand.
  • Street lighting using metal halide fixtures for better night visibility and safety.
  • Fire hydrant network and water storage system integrated for emergency response.

Public & Community Space

  • Landscaped central parks, community play areas, and outdoor activity zones.
  • Defined transition between private, semi-private, and public spaces.
  • Multipurpose gathering areas and recreational zones woven throughout clusters.

Conceptual Framework

  • Mixed-Income Philosophy: Encourages cross-subsidization and reduces economic segregation.
  • Leave No One Behind (LNOB): Inspired by the UN SDG principle of social equity through design.
  • Architectural Determinism: Built environment as a tool to shape behavior, inclusion, and well-being.

Final Takeaway

  • A scalable model for future neighborhoods that balances affordability, diversity, and sustainability.
  • Prioritizes empathy, function, and identity in residential design.
  • Reimagines housing not just as shelter, but as a catalyst for community and urban transformation.
Project Information
Project Type :
Acedemic
Category :
Housing
Date :
2022
Area :
78,867 sq.ft.
Location :
Bhaktapur, Nepal
Key Concepts
  • Mixed-Income Housing
  • Modular Grid
  • Courtyard Planning
  • Walkable Neighborhood
  • Spatial Efficiency
  • Passive Design
  • Mid-Rise Apartments
  • Public Space Hierarchy
  • Sustainable Infrastructure
  • Contextual Materiality
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