The word ‘play’ is defined as a meaningful act that is carried out for its own sake with its fundamental motive being the experience it affords. Some facets of play are evidently depicted in projects with comparatively good budgets and freedom of space but as the restrictions get more imposing, the projects tend to become more utilitarian, and ‘playful’ designing is not given enough priority.

This study approached an understanding of play and focused on comparatively analyzing the built and lived spaces of slum rehabilitation societies in Mumbai. Then by utilizing the findings in the architectural setting of social housing in Rizvi Residency, Santacruz, this project aimed to express the needs of the users through the design process by reinterpreting mundane everyday spaces and objects. Social housing has been reinterpreted in terms of user engagement and their voluntary participation in the choice of their own home where units were designed on the basis of occupancy with users having a choice in their space requirements. Healthy living is promoted with ample courts to provide each unit with light and ventilation with creating spaces assimilating social living outside of individual homes to establish community interactions and holistic living.