Projects

Mumbai INformal

A map of an area of Mumbai with the text:

by Kiara Nahomy Wong Siu (MAUD ’25), Teresa Ka Weng Lai (MAUD ’25), Henry Black (MUP ’26), and R. Kofi Boakye Bempong (MUP/MPA ’26) — Recipients of the Plimpton-Poorvu Design Prize, First Prize.

Luxury living in Mumbai hinges on the vertical, while informal living lays on the horizontal. Mumbai INformal bridges these contrasting realities by introducing a multi-use podium typology that transforms “co-existing” into meaningful “co-living.” This approach respects and celebrates the livelihoods, aspirations, and daily rhythms of the residents who call this area home.

A map of an area of Mumbai with the text: "STATEMENT Luxury living in Mumbai hinges on the vertical, while informal living lays on the horizontal. Our project bridges these contrasting realities by introducing a multi-use podium typology that transforms 'co-existing' into meaningful 'co-living. This approach respects and celebrates the livelihoods, aspirations, and daily rhythms of the residents who call this area home. Elphinstone Estate becomes a place where people from all walks of life can thrive, anchored by train and metro stations repurposed warehouses, and the ecological magnet of Sunrise "Drive, which reintroduces nature into South Mumbai. By starting with an outward focus on the urban fabric, we informed the design within, creating a model for inclusive growth along the Eastern Waterfront. Elphinstone Development Company ("EDC"), a social-impact developer in Mumbai, is leading a transformative 14-acre, 7-building, 2.3 million SF mixed-use project through a joint venture. This initiative is part of a Development Plan for 112 acres of industrial waterfront land owned by the Mumbai Port Authority, Guided by a vision that seamlessly integrates Mumbai's vertical luxury with its vibrant, street-level energy, we focus on creating spaces that uplift communities and foster human connections Our design prioritizes people: 837 for-sale housing units cater to diverse income brackets, ensuring inclusivity. A cultural and marketplace hub fosters social interaction and supports local livelihoods, while Class A office and hospitality spaces create opportunities for work and leisure By aligning economic opportunity with community well-being, this development catalyzes the Eastern Waterfront's transformation into a dynamic, people-centered district, propelling Mumbai into its next chapter as a global city. We began by looking outward to inform inward. Now, we serve as al model for future development along the Eastern Waterfront, where inclusive and sustainable urbanism leads the way."
A diagram of housing units and public space, sorted from X-Small to X-Large
A diagram of several different buildings
A rendering of a courtyard area with several people of different ages socializing.
A rendering of a public marketplace area with several people
Diagram of SRA Scheme

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