19/03/2014
Line House - Tuticorin , Proposal
Designed by NJ Architects and Designers
Designer: Jennifer and Naresh Sambanthamoorthy
Copyrights belongs to NJ architects and designers
A contemporary design approach of a traditional courtyard houses
Location
This House is located in a ½ Acre site on the bank of korampallam pond, Tuticorin .The house has territorial views of the surrounding farms as well as views to the pond. The house is single store tall allowing a larger amount of living space while maintaining a relatively small footprint and also takes better advantage of the views from the site. The site is planned to be landscaped with native vegetation.
The main goal of the entire design process was to design a climate responsible contemporary house which is also cost efficient.
Climate Responsible - Spatial organization
The House is divided by function between 2 blocks. The main block is occupied by general living space including Kitchen, Dining and Living Room. The floor plan of this block is open with huge bi fold doors opening to the front and back garden, the main living spaces have not got any direct openings in their west .The eastern block has the sleeping and private spaces the central courtyard provides a unique visual and physical connection between the two spaces.
Courtyard
Like in any traditional Indian houses The main living spaces are planned around an open courtyard, to provide natural ventilation using solar chimney effect, it create a natural convection effect pulling warm air up and out of the house.
The building forms are simple and follow the layout of the interior spaces reinforcing the overall strategy of efficiency that was the driving force behind the design.
No Glass
We have deliberately avoided use of glass in the building, glass attracts heat and prohibits heat from escaping from indoors and makes the interior hot. So glass is not a good building material in a hot region like Tamilnadu. It is very important for the building to have constant air circulation within the building.
Finishes
The roof slab is insulated with a layer of coconut shell to prevent heat gain.The main floor finish is stucco which adds to the unembellished aesthetic of the house, the ceiling is left as exposed concrete. The courtyard and bathroom floors are off rough granite and a slate stone, which is durable long lasting and a low maintenance finish.
