Crescents and Green Courts at the Raghunathpur Township

Near Raghunathpur, in the Purulia district of West Bengal, a new Township is planned for the people who run the Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) Phase-II for Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC). ARCH-EN DESIGN is the Architectural and Engineering design consultant. The aim is a self-sufficient place to live: homes, a School, civic buildings and open space, close to the plant but with a life of its own.

Planning with sun and wind

The Master Plan starts from climate. Buildings are oriented to the sun path and the prevailing winds, so that natural ventilation and passive cooling do much of the work. Homes are laid out in residential crescents, with institutional buildings gathered in clusters and service zones kept to one side.

Each neighbourhood is arranged around a central green court, and no dwelling is more than 150 metres from a recreational space. A clubhouse, playgrounds, sports courts and children's parks are all within walking distance. A School up to Class XII, a town administration block and service yards complete the Township.

Green ground and water

More than thirty percent of the site is kept as landscaped green, with shaded pathways, bioswales and play areas that help keep the microclimate comfortable. Rainwater is harvested, wastewater is treated on site, waste is composted, and roofs are ready for solar panels. The Township is targeting a 3-Star green building rating, and parking is planned to be ready for electric vehicles.

Place and connection

The site lies about six kilometres from Raghunathpur town and next to the RTPS plant. Roads connect it to NH-32 and NH-19, the railway stations at Anara and Adra are close by, and the nearest airports are at Durgapur and Kolkata. For the families who will live here, the more telling distance is the short walk from the front door to a shaded green court.