Designing in DHA Karachi
The Defence Housing Authority's phases stretch along Karachi's southern coastline, from the established streets of the earlier phases to the newer, sea-facing sectors of Phase 8. DHA contains some of the city's largest residential plots, alongside busy commercial areas, and its housing ranges from 1970s and 1980s bungalows to recent contemporary homes.
We design new houses and rebuilds in DHA, renovate and extend older homes, and create interiors for houses and apartments. Many of our DHA conversations begin with the same question: is the existing house worth renovating, or is it time to rebuild? Our guide to renovating or rebuilding an older house explains how we answer it.
How approvals work in DHA
Building plans in DHA Karachi are submitted to DHA's Town Planning and Building Control department, scrutinised against DHA's regulations, and then forwarded to the Clifton Cantonment Board (CBC), which grants final sanction. Drawings must be signed by an architect registered with the PCATP and listed on the board's panel of approved architects, with structural drawings by a PEC-registered engineer. At the end of construction, a completion plan is required. We explain the steps in detail in our guide to DHA Karachi building approvals.
DHA's rules on setbacks, coverage, height and basements are specific to plot size and location, so we design to your plot's limits from the first sketch.
Building near the sea
Proximity to the coast shapes good design in DHA. Salt-laden air accelerates corrosion of reinforcement, railings and fittings, so concrete quality, cover to the steel and corrosion-resistant metals matter more here than elsewhere. In parts of the area close to the sea, groundwater can also be high, which affects basements and underground tanks and makes waterproofing critical. On the positive side, DHA homes can make excellent use of the south-westerly sea breeze — if openings are planned to catch it. See designing for Karachi's climate.
Popular DHA projects
- New houses and rebuilds on 500 and 1,000 square-yard plots, with courtyards, basements and generous outdoor living — see our guide to 500 square-yard house design
- Renovations of older homes in the earlier phases, often with seepage and corrosion repairs
- Apartment interiors in DHA's residential towers
- Commercial fit-outs for offices, showrooms and restaurants in DHA's commercial areas