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Decentralized sanitation system

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Decentralized sanitation system

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Project update September 2013 – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

The septic tank is the primary treatment chamber, and is a 15x8m twin tank system, followed by a 4x8m tank with reed beds and a gravel medium that cleans the water before it is discharged.
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Project update September 2013 – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Sewer lines constructed beneath paths connect each house to the decentralized septic tank system where all effluent is treated.
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Project update September 2013 – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

The only place where the municipality would give permission for the septic tank system to be constructed was beneath the local park. The pilot project costs around 25% of the costs of conventional sewage infrastructure.
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Project update September 2013 – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

The underground septic tank system is under construction. The pilot project costs around 25% of the costs of conventional sewage infrastructure.
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Project update September 2013 – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India: Core house
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4th Holcim Forum on “Economy of Sustainable Construction” 2013 – Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Bombay), Mumbai, India

“I wanted to be an architect because I believe architecture can be used as a tool to improve lives” – Julia King attended the 4th Holcim Forum on “Economy of Sustainable Construction” held in Mumbai in 2013.
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Holcim Awards ceremony for Asia Pacific 2011 – Singapore

Holcim Awards 'Next Generation' 3rd prize 2011 Asia Pacific presentation for 'Decentralized sanitation system, near New Delhi, India' (l-r): jury member, Ashok B Lall, Principal, Ashok B Lall - Architects; Visiting Professor of Architecture, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, India and winner Julia King, London Metropolitan University, United Kingdom.
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Project entry 2011 Asia Pacific – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Domestic landscape: generating affordable markets by encouraging incremental growth.
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Project entry 2011 Asia Pacific – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Section through houses showing retrofitted sanitation system.
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Project entry 2011 Asia Pacific – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Incremental housing typologies: mixed economies and urban landscapes.
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Project entry 2011 Asia Pacific – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Community workshop: participation-based design process.
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Project entry 2011 Asia Pacific – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Role of architect: participation-based design processes within academic research.
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Project entry 2011 Asia Pacific – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Proposed floor plans for typical upgrade.
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Project entry 2011 Asia Pacific – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Proposed section through sanitation upgrade.
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Project entry 2011 Asia Pacific – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Julia King on site where her project provides a decentralized sanitation system in Savda Gehvra, a regulated resettlement suburb 30km west of New Delhi, India.
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Next generation Next Generation 3rd prize 2011–2012 Asia Pacific

In underdeveloped settlements, a lack of sanitation is one of the major problems. By applying an additive strategy, this project in a resettlement area of Savda Gherva significantly improves hygiene and strengthens social cohesion within the local community by involving the residents throughout the process. A pilot project commenced in 2012 to provide off-grid sanitation to more than 1,500 people.

Last updated: September 23, 2013

By Julia King - London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE), London, United Kingdom

Ideas: Inclusion, Economic & Social Empowerment

In underdeveloped settlements, a lack of sanitation is one of the major problems. By applying an additive strategy, this project in a resettlement area of Savda Gherva significantly improves hygiene and strengthens social cohesion within the local community by involving the residents throughout the process. A pilot project commenced in 2012 to provide off-grid sanitation to more than 1,500 people.

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Decentralized sanitation system

Project authors

Julia King

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE)

United Kingdom

Project updates

July 27, 2021 | Interview | Testimony of a Former Laureate | London, United Kingdom

“Re-think the process of construction”

L’Architecture d’Aujourd’hui (AA) magazine caught up with Julia King, Architectural Designer and Urban Researcher at LSE Cities, London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE). The recognition of winning a Holcim Awards Next Generation prize in 2011 enabled the project to move from being a speculative project to something that eventually was built.

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July 18, 2019 | ‘A’A’: Global design competitions | New Delhi, India

Small change, major effects

Money isn’t everything. Intelligence is also required. Julia King, laureate of a LafargeHolcim Next Generation prize for Asia Pacific in 2011, advocated a sanitation strategy for New Delhi’s poorest neighbourhoods. Based on a survey painstakingly carried out in the most deprived streets of India’s capital, this young English architect prioritized the expectations of each individual, in addition to identifying the technical problems as well as the legal obstacles.

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February 09, 2014 | Emerging Woman Architect of the Year | London, United Kingdom

Julia King wins Architects’ Journal Emerging Woman Architect of the Year Award

Julia King, the researcher and designer, who is currently setting up practices in both New Delhi and London as well as completing her PhD, scooped the award for architects and architectural designers who have been in their current role for less than five years. Her work focuses on the future of urban development, and was described by the jury panel of the Architects’ Journal Emerging Woman Architect of the Year Award, was described by the judges as ‘truly inspiring’.

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January 23, 2014 | Emerging Woman Architect of the Year | London, United Kingdom

Julia King shortlisted for Architects’ Journal Emerging Woman Architect of the Year

Architects’ Journal (AJ) has announced the women who are in the running for the prestigious Woman Architect of the Year and Emerging Woman Architect of the Year 2014 awards. Among the eight up-and-coming stars of the profession shortlisted is Julia King, winner of a “Next Generation” prize in the Holcim Awards competition. Her community cluster-based sanitation system that improves the lives of Delhi’s urban poor was praised by the jury for presenting a “practical solution to an urgent problem”.

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September 23, 2013 | Project Update | Savda Gherva, India

Incremental housing and decentralized sewage infrastructure improve lives of urban poor

A community cluster-based sanitation system won the “Next Generation” 3rd prize for Asia Pacific in 2011. Since then, the prize money from the Holcim Awards competition was used to develop the project: to survey the site, engage with an engineer, mobilize the community and support the project author for more than a year.

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November 24, 2011 | Winners for Asia Pacific announced | Singapore

Holcim Awards winners for Asia Pacific announced in Singapore

Winners of the Holcim Awards for sustainable construction projects and visions from Asia Pacific have been announced, bringing the regional phase of the 3rd International Holcim Awards competition to a close. A total of USD 300,000 was presented to twelve groundbreaking projects at a ceremony in Singapore. The winning projects show how sustainable approaches to infrastructure for communities and innovative architecture can improve the built environment and enhance quality of life.

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July 28, 2011 | Regional Jury Report – Asia Pacific | Mumbai, India

“Practical solution to an urgent problem” – Holcim Awards Jury

The jury awarded this project due to its sound research approach that leads to a practical solution for an urgent problem. The installation of a sound and reliable sanitation system counters immediate problems and the direct design integrates successfully. The realization is a convincing demonstration of a best practice process, leading to a simple, cost-effective solution. Its pedagogic approach provides knowledge and promotes common acting of individuals leading to a consolidated sense of community, beneficial to all. The project sets a moving signal for the future of sharing responsibilities – here and elsewhere.

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March 31, 2011 | Project Entry & Details | New Delhi, India

Project Entry 2011 for Asia Pacific

In underdeveloped settlements, a lack of sanitation is one of the major problems. By applying an additive strategy, this project aims to significantly improve hygiene and strengthen social cohesion within the local community by involving the residents throughout the process. Savda Gehvra, a regulated resettlement suburb 30km west of New Delhi, serves as a model. The area is characterized by incremental housing ranging from one-story shelters to consolidated simple two-level-and-roof-terrace constructions that reflect the economic capacities of their inhabitants.

The use of community toilets that is forced by municipal regulations has proven impractical, so inhabitants defecate in the open as they can rarely afford costly individual toilets with septic tanks. The project strategy acts from two sides: intense on-the-ground research identified inhabitants’ needs and expectations; and top-down, the municipal authorities were involved and urged to reconsider regulations that would be more practicable in poor neighborhoods. The outcome is a community cluster based sanitation system that is additively applicable by installing simple elements such as rainwater collectors; individual basic toilet bowls and shared black water collection.

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Winners of the Holcim Awards 2011–2012 for Asia Pacific

Decentralized sanitation system

Project update September 2013 – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Project update September 2013 – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Project update September 2013 – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Project update September 2013 – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Project update September 2013 – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

4th Holcim Forum on “Economy of Sustainable Construction” 2013 – Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Bombay), Mumbai, India

Holcim Awards ceremony for Asia Pacific 2011 – Singapore

Project entry 2011 Asia Pacific – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Project entry 2011 Asia Pacific – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Project entry 2011 Asia Pacific – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Project entry 2011 Asia Pacific – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Project entry 2011 Asia Pacific – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Project entry 2011 Asia Pacific – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Project entry 2011 Asia Pacific – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Project entry 2011 Asia Pacific – Decentralized sanitation system, New Delhi, India

Julia King

Julia King: Savda Ghevra Community Septic Tank