Next to China, India holds the record of being the second most populated country in the world. An estimation has likewise placed India as having the most number of people by the year 2050. To address the country's problem on overcrowding, a SuperSkyScrapers competition was held, with the purpose of creating affordable housing solution to the slums of Dharavi which lacks in infrastructure and enough sanitation. Winning third place in that contest was an entry from the Spanish architecture firm, CRG and its design will be the basis for the skyscraper to be constructed in Dharavi, Mumbai in India.
Called 'Containscraper' the twin tower, made from 2,500 recycled shipping containers is envisioned to house 1,500 families. Once it is built, one of its tower will be over 400 metres high, while the adjacent structure will be 200 metres in height. The still unnamed building will have 32 floors. A concrete structure with the elevator and stairs as its core would be made to support the containers and which shall be the reason for the height of the building.
The skyscraper's unique twisting shape is for aesthetic and for the particular function of evenly distributing the weight of the containers. Through this shape also, win will flow through to cool down the structure. Apart from this, air-conditioning units, wind turbines and vertical gardens have been proposed as strategies to deal with the heat. The containers may also be pivoted so the windows can be turned away from prying neighbors and to maximize the resident's view of the city.
Each apartment will be made of three spacious containers joined together and would have a master and kid's bedrooms, a study, lounge, dining area, kitchen, two toilets and deck area.
The exterior of the tower will feature staggered boxes in different colors. The corridor would be covered with recycled and locally-made terracotta jaalis, a latticed ventilation and shading screen.
Apart from the recycled shipping containers, other sustainable design and technological features of the structure would include a solar panel array that is mounted on the south facing façade and an energy- saving LED lighting in the interiors.
Winning first place in the completion was a design by Ghanti Associates which is a 100 metre high rectangular structure with solar panels and micro wind turbines. The second place went to Dio Inno Architects for their triangular complex that bridges across a busy street
As to why this design of CRG was chosen to house the thousands of families, the jury said: "Where this project proposal excels is in the treatment of the interior and proposing a solution for many issues, especially temperature control, water and circulation."
