TATA Tower by Illinois Institute of Technology B. Arch students Seth Ellsworth and JaYoung Kim

Two Illinois Institute of Technology B. Architecture students Seth Ellsworth and JaYoung Kim designed a tower with the aim of challenging Mumbai's territorial issues. The TATA Tower will sustain struggling Mumbai; it consists of a high density and compact tower for TATA employees and their cars. Their research on Mumbai city articulated three elements: Mumbai faces old infrastructures. Public transportation cannot respond to the population demands due to a high density of population.

TATA Tower, Mumbai, India, © Seth Ellsworth and JaYoung Kim

Due to Mumbai's territorial constraints, Mumbai has unusually high urban densities with an average density that surpasses 27,000 people per square kilometers. Built-up area included, the average density rises above 50,000 people per square kilometers.

Mumbai density © urban age

The analysis of spatial structure of Mumbai — other Indian cities included — reveals an intense and compact arrangement of buildings and structures. It is difficult to answer if the two students have taken this factor into account but their TATA Tower  conforms with Mumbai's search for a compact city.

Mumbai Urban morphology © urban-net

The second part concerns the city's landmass. According to surveys, 25 percent of the city's landmass will be used as parking space by the year 2030. The third and last element, the client TATA company which manufactures the world's cheapest cars.

© Seth Ellworth and JaYoung Kim

The addition of these three elements results in a multi-function tower. The TATA Tower can house both residences and offices for the TATA employees in Mumbai. A high density parking garage which consists of the full height of the tower will host employees' cars. According to the two students' research, 930 dwellings and 4,050 parking spaces can fit in the tower.

© Seth Ellworth and JaYoung Kim

The other particularity of Seth Ellsworth and JaYoung Kim's design is the green uses, mostly composed of parks and green spaces. An algae farm will also serve as an energy generator.

Site © Seth Ellsworth and JaYoung Kim

Ellsworth and Kim's TATA Tower poses important questions on designing housing and offices in cities with high densities such as Mumbai,  Bangalore, Delhi, but also, Mexico, to quote but a few. Their project stresses the urgent necessity to design buildings, spaces as well as streets that play a crucial role in securing living conditions and flexibility of urban environments that are facing intense processes of change.

© Seth Ellsworth and JaYoung Kim

source: evolo