Designing residential spaces is truly a delight at UJDesigns, but to be able to design space for a community right here in Mumbai City, was a thrill in itself. Model Town in Versova has a public space, sanctioned by the BMC (BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation) to be developed into a park for children and senior citizens. The park was built in the honour of a popular musician residing there, thus had to not only be functional but also aesthetic in way that incorporates and encourages music.

Being a garden, one of the key elements, was planning an abundance of local green plants; while offering enough space to the park’s visitors. Besides the traditional jungle gyms, and play area’s designed for children, the key highlight of this park is the skating rink built for children. In a city, with sparse realty space, a skating rink in the neighbourhood, encouraged more children to come over to the outdoors. Replacing rubber mats for the children’s play area instead of sand, has been a welcome move by the community.

Strategically built walkways and jogging tracks allowed the park to accommodate not only senior citizens but also joggers that like a run surrounded by nature. The community and BMC have been impressed with the detailed thought gone into design; accommodating water drinking fountains at strategic points in the garden. Dedicated pavilions and gazebos are designed in the park that offer seating areas for senior citizens, that meet everyday now to chat or sing a song or two. It’s their hub every evening, a space where they simply enjoy music.

Another aesthetic added into the park to accentuate its public appeal is the water fountain right in the middle of the park; that features a musical light and water show every weekend.

It’s amazing to see the benchmarks that UJDesigns has set in landscaping for public spaces. And a moment of pride, to see the Model Town project feature in the BMC annual calendar for 2017-18.