| Project Description | completion date: 01/ 02/ 2021 COST: Total cost - architecture construction and interior is 50 lakhs
Plot area: 4776.3 sq ft.
Open area: 3647 sq ft.
Built area: 1100 sq ft.
The project
A small, intimate weekend home situated near Ahmedabad that celebrates materiality and the relationship between the manmade and the natural - reducing carbon footprints. We used earthy, local materials, shaped and worked by local hands, to build this modest, private retreat. The surroundings were left largely undisturbed while building this ecologically sensitive accommodation. Biophilic architecture inspired: living with, and in nature. It is designed with organic, natural elements that appeals to our senses and tendency to find comfort and inspiration to the natural settings. Architecture space fully integrated living plants and greenery composed with organic materials.
The ethos
The dwelling is a home to a couple who were desirous of a space that would reconcile privacy with transparency and possess a strong connection to the outside. The key to this project was to build the home around nature instead of weaving nature into the home.
There is modesty of articulation, which is rich with consideration for the environment, as well as the consciousness that a weekend home should offer you an experience that is fundamentally different from a routine one.
Natural and raw materials were the primary medium through which this guiding principle was articulated. In addition to the organic envelope, the building features waterbodies and is surrounded by local species of insect repellent plants — thus developing its own micro ecosystem. The programme and planning were also driven by this objective for communing with nature. We minimised the built-form — which was designed as a shelter for essential activities, so that most of the day was spent outside.
The architectural formalisation
The built-form is articulated as a modest single-storey H-shaped block that impinges upon the visual surroundings very gently. The plinth is raised by two feet to provide a small vantage point. The envelope uses locally sourced Dhrangadhdra stone for the foundation as well as the construction — thus its name, Rock House.
Aligned to the central philosophy of the project, the one-foot-thick stone walls retain the material’s original raw form both inside and outside and dispense with any sort of cosmetic layering. The floor-to-ceiling glazing strengthens the home’s connection with nature, making its play of seasons, light and shadows an intimate part of the internal experience. The living spaces are column-free to allow an unobstructed view of the surroundings. The stone and glass façade act as a bridge that links the home to the green landscaping.
The internal programme
The programme tries to balance contrarian traits, with spaces for solitude and congregation, sound and silence. The layout comprises two staggered bays, connected by a small passage. Sequentially, one bay accommodates the entry, the washrooms and the master room; the other is an integrated living/dining/kitchenette volume. This orchestration allows the main spaces to remain open on at least two side, capitalising on the surroundings. The interstitial gaps between the two bays, and indeed, the rest of the plot, are landscaped.
The entry sequence unfolds into a small passage which, straight up, leads to the master suite and, before that, branches off to the right to reach the living room. The latter segment is flanked by small waterbodies on both sides, that segue into green pockets of the patio and an open-air garden. One side, the living room flows into a patio cocooned by plants, featuring sit-outs from where you can lose yourself in melodious birdsong. On the other side, it continues into a dining area and a pantry-like kitchen. This section is glazed on three sides, which conjures up the feeling of eating in a garden! One washroom has a skylight and an attached OTS supplemented with local species of plants for fresh air and light.
The aesthetic direction
The interiors reflect the owner’s affinity to nature and meticulous detail and simplicity. The mosaic of Dhrangadhdra stone walls, the grid of kotah stone and the grave expanses of exposed concrete ceilings create strong interior spaces whose beauty lies beyond mere cosmetic overlays. These have been then fitted with simple, need-based furniture and décor tied together by earthy colours and organic materials such as reclaimed jute. All interior elements have been locally sourced and do not challenge the spaciousness or minimalism of the rooms in any way.
Psychologically and physiologically, we humans are programmed to respond to nature. Fresh air, warm sunlight, the warble of birds, soft breeze and rustling trees. Humble and honest, warm and rustic, Rock House hopes to set that balance right for its owners!
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| Materials Used | Biophilic Design ideas are principles to create a human centric approach that when applied improves many of the spaces that we live and work in today, with numerous benefits to our health and well-being.
Main Materials
The Main structure – walls (12 inches thick and foundation – local yellow stone)
Ceiling: exposed concrete
Furniture: minimum Mainly local and reclaimed wood and MS
Others: Reclaimed jute, reclaimed rope, glass, kotah (flooring, locally and naturally available)
Colours and textures
These are mainly from the materials used in their original form without any cosmetic overlays.
The changing view of the Rockhouse from sunrise to sunset and the raw stone textures are the mainstay of the project. The surface texture is the raw rock walls themselves. The flooring is also in its
Details
1. The rug in the living room is a woolen rug from Bhadohi (India). (Bhadohi is a district of Uttar Pradesh state
in northern India and is one of largest centres of Carpet Industries in India and known as 'Carpet City'.
2. Lanterns are bamboo lamps locally sourced.
3. Locally sourced Rope was weaved around the MS structural columns.
4. Wooden columns are from Mysore- India – antique and reclaimed locally.
5. Sofa – reclaimed pine wood (shuttering pine wood). fabric is cotton
6. Centre table is a reclaimed product from a local vendor and originally is from Nagaland a state in
Northeast India – they use this product to dry their paddy crop/ harvest.
7. Bed: MS and pine wood (Reclaimed)
8. Flooring – kotah stone – leather finish (local stone)
9. Local native species of trees were planned to encourage biodiversity and flora and fauna.
Note: ¾ of the total plot area has been left free and ¼ of the total plot area has a built form
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| Sustainability | 1. We used earthy, local materials, shaped and worked by local hands, to build this modest, private retreat. All
the materials are in their original finish without any cosmetic overlay.
2. Natural stone is an energy efficient and climate responsive material choice. The arrangement of the stone
in the masonry walls reflected the volumetric aspects also in vernacular constructive techniques creating
dialogues with the architecture and interior. Stone is natural and durable, emits no VOCs, requires almost
no maintenance, and provides a connection to the earth and our history.
3. The surroundings were left largely undisturbed while building this ecologically sensitive accommodation
encouraging biodiversity.
4. The micro ecology of the waterbodies, natural local special of plants and koi fish build their own eco
system.
5. Throughout the home, openable fully glazed windows usher in breeze warm sunlight and fresh air, adding
to the human health.
6. The interior spaces (master suite and main living area) are flanked on all sides by green pockets alternately
and are visually and physically linked to the central courtyard, which is larger than the built space,
underscoring again the philosophy of being one with nature.
7. One washroom has a skylight and an attached OTS supplemented with local species of plants for fresh air
and light.
8. The living spaces are column-free to allow an unobstructed view of the surroundings.
9. The site is surrounded by large local mature trees that act as natural sun-breakers, shading all the
pathways and the periphery of the home. These provide shelter and sustenance to a variety of birds and
small fauna, encouraging biodiversity. We consciously stayed away from fragmenting the overall landscape
with boundaries and the home relies on the natural boundaries created by the vegetation for a notion of
privacy. Air-purifying plants improve CO2 levels in indoor spaces whilst adding natural beauty, restoring
concentration levels and having a calming and peaceful effect.
10. The south-west orientation of the house, coupled with the shade provided by these trees, ensures that
the outdoor areas are largely protected from the harsh summer sun.
“The trees are all native species,” “We studied the local area and selected the kind of trees that will
attract biodiversity.” Indeed, the plot is thriving with birds, butterflies, rabbits, mongooses—and even
turtles have come into the lily ponds at the entrance.
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| Issues Faced | The foundation as well as the walls of the house are constructed in stone. The self-weight of the natural stones required acute attention making it one of the challenging aspects. The natural stones vary in size and thickness so that was another challenge to build the walls in a systematic manner.
The retention of the trees on site and keeping in mind the southwest the layout was fixed. House was planned on the periphery of the southwest and the ¾ part of the plot was unbuilt was kept in the inner sanctum so that the shadow of the house would keep it cool. Thus, the client’s requirement fulfilled of wanting to use the outdoors more.
A screen of stone columns was created between the living / dining wall and the main wall with a central courtyard embedded encompassing of local species of plants like green tea etc. which also act as insect repellent plants. Thus, casting shadows and yet creating a visual appeal. Controlled sunlight
The design has an Organic look because of the integrity of the stone adds an incomparable level of strength and longevity to property. The indigenous natural stone is a low carbon building material compared with other construction materials. The main carbon impacts associated with stone are related to processing the stone, transport of the stone to site and volume of waste produced. However, quarrying and processing of sandstone and granite are not very energy intensive compared with the production processes of other materials.
The stone masonry and the foundation stimulated us on achieving uniformity. To attain the uniform stone size, it was about placing them correctly to build the wall. Especially it became even more strenuous to stack them after a certain height. Hence, to construct the walls due to their self-weight was a formidable test and we succeeded due to the efforts of the team on site. The future impact on environment of natural stone is less.
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| Additional Comments | Stone is resistant to water, fire, wind, and other natural factors that typically affect a house. It does not mold, and it is not prone to termites or majority of pests that attack a structure. Basically, stone is damage free. The environmental performance, design and nature relationship. the aim is to build a house where landscape and architecture are designed together to create a real-life experience aimed at the well-being of the occupants, the biodiversity of the plot and the surrounding environment. it aims to become a reference in responsible architecture, aware of the energy and environmental challenges we face.
the house becomes a climate conscious and humane architecture, which is based on the existence and survival of human life on increasingly crowded and congested earth without abandoning the side of humanity, which becomes a big architecture agenda
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