Staff move into newly-completed Abergeldie Main apartments

"Abergeldie Main" was originally owned by the Disciples of Christ Mission; several Woodstock students enjoyed living there during the months that their parents would come up to the Hillside for their summer vacation. The mission eventually turned the house over to the Church of North India Trust for use by Woodstock School and it has been used as staff housing for Woodstock staff since the early 1970's. A rambling, lovely old bungalow, located in a superb location overlooking the Doon Valley, it was in urgent need of reorganisation and renovation.

By changing the design on the same plinth area, Abergeldie Main was converted into four apartments thus providing more staff housing units, which Woodstock School urgently needs. The new design brought these staff housing units in line with Woodstock School's goal to provide updated, attractive housing for all our staff.

The new design incorporated four staff apartments, each with three bedrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen and two bathrooms. The architects attempted to retain the character and shape of the original bungalow whilst providing good sunlight and ventilation, safe electricity, efficient water systems, modern tiling and flooring for each unit. The new effective floor area was 674 sq m or 7250 sq ft resulting in a project cost estimate of around Rs. 1.1 crore or approximately US $350,000.

Construction on the new Abergeldie Main began in December 2007, immediately after the completion of the adjacent Abergeldie Cottage. Construction completed in summer 2009.

Since the summer break, staff families of the Johns, the Jains, the Chelvams, and the Joabs have moved into the four apartments.

"This is a great place," says Amrita John, who has moved in into one of the apartments with her family of five, "I especially love the balcony and the new, modern look of the kitchen/living room area."

Living in the apartment above them are the Jains, who moved to Abergeldie Main from the Community Centre Dungeons over the summer. "The house is great and very spacious," says Rupal Jain, a student in the school, "The bedrooms are big and we have a great view from our balcony!"