Understanding that the couple is known for hosting impromptu gatherings, the public function was taken to the 2nd floor [top floor] instead of impeding into the areas that the family was expected to occupy at any time. This public function was the Bar. While the indoors accommodated a gathering of 18, the adjacent terraces could account for a gala. To assist in hosting the frequent galas, the terraced landscape carried functional elements such as the built-in barbecue, a platform for lighting a bonfire, permanent wood-clad furniture, and of course abundant plantation. The fact that the owner is always the life of the party, and never away from a jovial narrative, the terrace carried a small amphitheater for his potential audience.

An additional interpretation of the requirements is the expandable kitchen. The lady of the house is also a professional chef, who will conduct frequent training sessions. The kitchen was designed with one of the walls as collapsible doubling as a worktop to allow for 5 students, with vantage to the various culinary activities. One of the beautiful conversations that ensued during the design development was the idea of carrying memories from the couple’s ancestral home. The ever-present scent of the Nimbus Tree, the monochromatic geometric flooring inlays, the clean terrazzo floor, and the enjoyment of lazy winter afternoons at the veranda, fused the essential romance to the developing spaces.

Sustainable Green Home [Our shared ethical responsibility] – The clients were completely synchronized with the Studio’s Philosophy of being Ethically Green. The house has received a Platinum certification from IGBC Green Homes. Some important aspects covered are as follows:

1. Site Selection and Planning – Reduced Heat Island on Roofs with adequate insulation and reflective paints. Almost 20% of the ground floor is covered in natural terrain with the house allowing for universal accessibility.
2. Water Efficiency – Rainwater harvesting, efficient plumbing fixtures, using drought-resistant species for plantations.
3. Energy Efficiency – The residence falls under the “Composite” climatic zone and attempts an energy cost savings of more than 30% over the baseline. The energy conservation measures include efficient envelopes, efficient lighting, efficient air-conditioning systems, and solar PVs.
4. Materials and Resources – Waste segregation and tying into the existing waste management ecosystem of the neighborhood became integral to the Additionally, the project is on track to avoid sending almost 60% of construction waste to landfills. All material procurement is within 400 Km of the site. Most of the shuttering wood is recycled in the house as paneling elements.
5. Indoor Quality – Enhanced Cross ventilation, Enhanced day-lit spaces, and low VOC materials ensure a healthy habitable environment.

Construction Technology [Building Construction classes at the site] – The project offered the potential to be a playfield for several design and construction techniques. From designing elements using custom-written codes, such as the parametric brick wall and parapets or the double curved canopies, to rely on century-old methods of spanning distances like the jack arch. The house was a testing bed for Hi-tech design tech marrying low-tech construction tech. An AEC pipeline which we believe is India’s great strength.

The site also helped our principal, Mr. Arun Bij, to organize building construction classes for the studio, especially since some of the elements needed skills unfortunately dying. Terrazzo flooring for instance. Once a thriving and economic flooring system has completely gone out of the current preference list. The proportions of chips to cement, water content, laying profile, and temperament were all highlighted via self-demonstration. These classes made us romanticize an era where the architect himself was the master builder.

An idea that spreads sustainable construction methods, was the reuse of custom shuttering.

1. Shell Roof / Flying Carpet – 2 rooms of the residence (master bed and the bar) carry a trimmed concrete shell as the roof. The shuttering for this was FSC-certified yellow cedar wood. Aesthetically this ensures beautiful grains on the underbelly. Post de-shuttering, 100% material was reused in wall panels, false ceilings, and some door frames.
2. Jack Arch – Jack Arches were employed in 2 lounges on the 1st floor. Although the dimensions of the lounges were different a modular shuttering was designed to get more life out of the limited amount of shuttering ply brought to the site