Urban Nomads – Housing for On-site Migrant Construction Workers
Designing affordable housing architecture for on-site migrant construction workers through modular, dignified, and climate-responsive living systems.
Project by Aniket Risbud
Affordable housing architecture remains one of the most urgent yet under-addressed challenges within rapidly urbanizing cities, particularly for migrant construction workers who form the backbone of urban development. Urban Nomads is an architectural response that directly confronts the realities of on-site migrant labor housing, where workers live temporarily yet endure prolonged exposure to inadequate living conditions. Despite advancements in construction technologies and skyline-defining developments, the living environments of the very workers who build these cities remain informal, unsafe, and undignified.
This project "Urban Nomads- Housing for On-site Migrant Construction Workers" proposes a modular, adaptable housing prototype designed specifically for on-site migrant construction workers. It focuses on improving comfort, safety, ventilation, and dignity while remaining cost-effective and easy to assemble using readily available materials. Rooted in observational research and on-site realities, Urban Nomads positions affordable housing architecture as both a social responsibility and an architectural opportunity.
Context and Need for Affordable Housing Architecture
Surveys conducted within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region reveal that while construction practices have evolved rapidly, worker living conditions have remained stagnant. Most labor camps are temporary, poorly ventilated, overcrowded, and constructed with leftover or discarded materials. These conditions negatively impact productivity, health, and overall well-being.
Affordable housing architecture for migrant workers often falls outside formal planning frameworks due to the temporary nature of construction sites. Urban Nomads challenges this notion by proposing a system that is temporary yet dignified, flexible yet robust, and economical yet humane.
Design Intent and Objectives
The core objective of Urban Nomads is to reimagine labor housing as a functional and humane architectural system rather than an afterthought. The design aims to:
- Provide maximum comfort within minimal spatial footprints.
- Improve natural light and cross-ventilation in compact units.
- Reduce construction time and material waste.
- Promote dignity, privacy, and personalization for users.
- Adapt to varying site constraints and climatic conditions.
By addressing these goals, the project establishes a new direction for affordable housing architecture tailored to transient populations.
Observed Typologies and On-site Insights
Extensive on-site observation informed the design approach. Workers were found using informal solutions—locally referred to as jugaad—to solve everyday problems. Bamboo scaffolding served as structural frames, steel rods doubled as hangers, broken bricks were used for cooking, and fabric sheets became walls.
Rather than dismissing these improvisations, Urban Nomads integrates them into the architectural language of the prototype. This approach ensures cultural familiarity, ease of use, and immediate acceptance by users.
Prototype Design Strategy
The housing unit is based on a modular steel framework that can be easily assembled, dismantled, and reused across sites. The system allows for:
- Stackable units to maximize land efficiency
- Foldable components for transport and storage
- Expandable layouts to accommodate individuals or families
Each unit is designed to function independently while also forming part of a larger clustered settlement.
Spatial Planning and Anthropometric Response
Internal planning draws inspiration from compact spatial typologies such as railway compartments and micro-housing. Bunk beds maximize sleeping capacity while freeing floor space for daily activities. Storage is integrated into walls and furniture to reduce clutter.
Anthropometric studies guided ceiling heights, seating levels, and circulation clearances, ensuring usability across age groups and genders. Special attention was given to ventilation zones and light wells to counter the typically dark interiors of labor camps.
Climate Responsiveness and Ventilation
Given the hot and humid climatic conditions of most construction sites, passive cooling strategies play a central role. The prototype incorporates:
- Sloping roofs for hot air exhaust
- Adjustable roof flaps for ventilation
- Low-level openings for cross-ventilation
- Shaded transitional spaces to reduce heat gain
These strategies significantly reduce reliance on artificial cooling, reinforcing the principles of sustainable affordable housing architecture.
Material Efficiency and Construction Logic
Material selection prioritizes availability, durability, and reuse. The primary materials include:
- Mild steel hollow sections for the structural frame
- Marine plywood for floors and furniture
- Tarpaulin sheets and fabric panels for enclosures
- Aluminum and GI sheets for roofing
The prototype is designed for rapid on-site fabrication using basic tools, allowing workers themselves to participate in assembly, fostering a sense of ownership.
Construction Stages and Adaptability
The construction process is broken down into clear, sequential stages—from base frame installation to enclosure and interior fit-out. The unit can be erected in phases depending on site readiness and expanded vertically or horizontally as required.
This adaptability allows the housing system to respond to various site conditions such as undulated terrain, compact urban plots, or stilt-based arrangements.
Community-Level Planning
Beyond individual units, Urban Nomads proposes a larger labor camp layout incorporating shared amenities such as:
- Day-care centers
- Subsidized canteens
- Medical and induction rooms
- Communal kitchens and toilets
The clustering strategy promotes social interaction while maintaining privacy, transforming labor camps into functional micro-communities.
Social Impact and Architectural Relevance
Urban Nomads demonstrates how affordable housing architecture can move beyond minimal shelter to become a tool for social equity. By addressing comfort, dignity, and adaptability, the project redefines temporary housing as a meaningful architectural typology.
The proposal challenges architects and policymakers to reconsider how transient populations are accommodated within urban frameworks and highlights the potential of design-driven solutions in improving quality of life for marginalized communities.
Urban Nomads – Housing for On-site Migrant Construction Workers is a timely exploration of affordable housing architecture that responds directly to on-ground realities. Through modularity, material efficiency, and human-centered design, the project offers a scalable solution capable of reshaping how labor housing is perceived and implemented across construction sites.
By embedding affordable housing architecture within the discourse of dignity, adaptability, and sustainability, Urban Nomads sets a precedent for socially responsible architectural practice.
