31/08/2021
Residence at Shahbad for Mr. & Mrs. Sidhu
Modern residence on a lot measuring 25mx23m has 2 floors. On the ground floor there is an entrance foyer along with a Formal sitting room, a family lounge. One master bedroom area which has a bedroom, a dress and a bathroom. Another small guest bedroom and a kitchen along with an outside sitting deck.
First floor has two bedrooms and a home theater room with balconies for both rooms. A servant room is on the second floor which has a separate access from the ground level.
The house is facing the west side which on one hand brings a lot of heat in summers but also keeps the house warm in winters. Courtyard concept here is extremely important to provide light, ventilation and continuity of the environment to maximize the benefit of the site. Temperature management through critical placement of rooms on both floors is the basis of the design here. The plan has 2 courtyards that would have been ideally placed somewhere in the center of the house. Here, these courtyards are moved towards the front and rear edges of the house leaving one edge of the courtyard open, allowing the necessary sun, light and ventilation but curtails the daily effort to maintain the courtyard through the climatic and environmental extremes. This helps protect the interiors from unforeseen harsh temporary weather conditions.
Exposed brick facade reinstates the main tectonics of construction in north India, an area interspersed with local brick kilns all around and that its usage is still prevalent in almost all the houses that are built in the region. {The floating walls in the front facade that are part of the structural design which is a framed structure and is as per latest earthquake codes to be designed in zone 4. Main structural frame is used to enhance the character in the interiors by providing decorative round columns.}
Another major tectonic element that becomes a striking element is the front blank facade which is cantilevered on one side, the simple structure speaks for itself. Tectonics are revealed inside the house in the form of round columns in the master bedroom and Master bathroom.
Climate and light play a very important part here. Large windows, open light -courtyards, fenestration in the form of louvers, play of sun through the building are some features special to this building. Every room has openable windows that can provide ventilation as per requirement. From infusion of fresh air by partly opening the window to the concept of cross ventilation for better internal air movement in various climates - all options are available. Conditioned air is available but not mandatory as per residents desire as an alternate. The blank facade facing south west is devoid of openings and light and ventilation on the first floor is accessed from the sides and rear instead.
First look of brick facade sets up the tone while using zinc sheet cladding as a hybrid material imported from a foreign country ensures that globalization is seen with equity. The facade exuberates the contrasting nature of material in both style of construction and texture. Also interiors have a rich contrast in floor material as there is a change in the functional space.
Here the overall form is going from modern towards post modern with straight lines, cantilevers and linear blocks and yet remains rooted due to traditional planning. Also details like the vertical bricks used at junctions of the structure are replaced with a black groove.
Plantation add to the overall ambiance but is restricted to local plants with species like variety of Bamboo, moulsari, lagerstroemia speciosa, Indian tamarix (inspired by Mughal Gardens), etc are preferred so that they can withstand the local climate for a better period.
Photos by- Purnesh Dev
