By Savitha
Hira
Photography:
Bharath Ramamrutham; Courtesy the architects
In a milieu that is concretizing urban abodes
with little regard for the environment, it is heartening to revisit tested
tenets of design, with deep regard for one’s relation with the
surroundings.
Ar. Sandeep Khosla’ designed 1100 sq.ft. Bellad
House in north Karnataka, set amidst a one-acre wooded property conserves a towering old
Gulmohar tree, building around it. Following the principles of Vaastu, the home
enjoys the luxury of space spread on a single level, centering around the core
or aangan and stepping outwards. The 12
ft deep verandah that generously wraps around the core as the gentle buffer
between indoor and outdoor environments is treated as a fluid container that
contours itself around the functions of the home creating permeable zones for
reading, dining and contemplation, traversing with ease between public and
private zones.
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Added to this, the
vernacular natural stone, wood and terracotta, the pitched Mangalore-tiled roof and
high ceiling, and climate control via vents, thick walls, and bay and dormer
windows, angled wall braces for running off rain water… all
speak of a vocabulary that is ancient to Indian dwelling.
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There have been umpteen homes in the midst of
nature in synch with natural elements in traditional architectural style that
embody seamlessness; timelessness and the contemporary idiom as natural
leanings of a home. What then sets apart
this nature-ensconced traditionally attired home, laid out on the
footprint of the age-old science of natural ventilation and climate control?
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An interesting twist, so to
say, comes in the form of a distinct private-public space that the homemakers needed
to accommodate to formally entertain certain political associates in the city.
Hence, the fourth leg of the verandah sweeps along the north face giving access
to two separate entrances - private and public.
This juxtaposition with the traditional ethos is indeed commendable.
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With enhanced insulation
and ventilation that minimizes heat gain and supports natural light, the home
is a heavenly getaway with its lazy winding driveway, red laterite wall that
preserves privacy, and the verdant landscape that has been especially designed by
Balinese landscape designer Dewa Kusuma with its premeditated fishpond and
water lilies.
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I love everything about this.
ReplyDeleteBy Kmv 2005
This is a lovely job. The harmony of nature and ordering forces is sublime...could move in tomorrow. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteA Well detailed home,nicely written and photographed.
ReplyDelete