Friday, January 24, 2014

Home with a View

By Marina Correa
Photography: Sameer Chawda; courtesy the architect

Mr. Vara Prasad Reddy’s 14,000 sq. ft., 3-storeyed bungalow by Haresh Lakhani, principal architect, HP Lakhani Associates.
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This open-to-nature home straddles rustic eco-friendliness as well as sophisticated technological advancements — enjoying the best of both worlds…

Patriarch of a large pharmaceutical company, Mr. Vara Prasad Reddy’s 14,000 sq. ft., 3-storeyed bungalow is situated on a sprawling 6,000 sq. yards of landscaped property in Hyderabad. 

“Based on 100% vaastu principles, designing such a house proved to be a limitation as well as a challenge,” says Haresh Lakhani, principal architect, HP Lakhani Associates.

Mr. Vara Prasad Reddy’s 14,000 sq. ft., 3-storeyed bungalow by Haresh Lakhani, principal architect, HP Lakhani Associates.
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Acclimatized to extreme summer and winter temperatures, the home is energy efficient and laid along the north-south axis based on the solar path. Verandahs along the east and north act as weather buffers, keeping the heat at bay and harnessing plenty of natural light and ventilation. Besides, rain water harvesting pits; solar heaters and solar fencing, setting the home amidst lush greenery also complements the exercise.

Mr. Vara Prasad Reddy’s 14,000 sq. ft., 3-storeyed bungalow by Haresh Lakhani, principal architect, HP Lakhani Associates.
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Mr. Vara Prasad Reddy’s 14,000 sq. ft., 3-storeyed bungalow by Haresh Lakhani, principal architect, HP Lakhani Associates.
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In addition, eco-friendly features are introduced viz. wood is replaced with UPVC for windows; skylights created to attract abundant natural daylight, usage of double wall in the sleeping areas to prevent bedrooms from getting overheated etc.

Mr. Vara Prasad Reddy’s 14,000 sq. ft., 3-storeyed bungalow by Haresh Lakhani, principal architect, HP Lakhani Associates.
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Mr. Vara Prasad Reddy’s 14,000 sq. ft., 3-storeyed bungalow by Haresh Lakhani, principal architect, HP Lakhani Associates.
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Stepping into the interiors, the home is expansive and eclectic in décor and frames nature from varied angles. The ‘nature’ thematic is woven indoors through motifs and fenestrations.  The all-white walls and almost all-white flooring coupled with moveable glass doors make spaces flow seamlessly into one another, maintaining uninterrupted visual connectivity.

Mr. Vara Prasad Reddy’s 14,000 sq. ft., 3-storeyed bungalow by Haresh Lakhani, principal architect, HP Lakhani Associates.
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Colour is infused into the monochromatic white palette via wall claddings done in wallpaper and marble; artifacts and paintings with strategic touches of wood in the ceiling and flooring to lend a warm, organic feel. Large glass openings allow the exteriors to become an integral part of the interiors — heightening the feeling of spaciousness and soaking in the desired ambiences.

Mr. Vara Prasad Reddy’s 14,000 sq. ft., 3-storeyed bungalow by Haresh Lakhani, principal architect, HP Lakhani Associates.
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Home automation allows all the service and security systems to be controlled through the touch of a single iPad. Even the bathrooms have motion sensors that save electricity; making it a home that not only communes with nature but also promotes a green lifestyle. 

9 comments :

  1. beautiful house and has been featured very well

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  2. Nice design. We do need more people like Mr. Reddy to commission such designs!

    But something that caught my eye was the use of uPVC for windows as a replacement for wood, as a more eco-friendly material. This is something that I would like to know about. Lots of experts feel that wood is more eco-friendly as compared to UPVC. Lots of people feel the other way round. I get the feel that most European and American architects vouch for the former, while most Indian architects vouch for the latter. My question is which is the right material for eco-friendliness? And why? Any thoughts??

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  3. krupa bhansali -Interior DesignerMarch 1, 2014 at 2:29 PM

    Nice design can you plz forward more design in future as its done...

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  4. Suresh Jagad Interior Designer at Suresh jagad & AssociatesMarch 1, 2014 at 2:30 PM

    Interesting. worth to follow

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  5. Harindar Bawa SENIOR ARCHITECTMarch 1, 2014 at 2:31 PM

    Such Landscape was required at Antila of Sh. Mukesh Ambani Ji newly built house.

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  6. raman arora Director at Raman Arora Associates architectsMarch 1, 2014 at 2:31 PM

    openness/landscape makes the real HOUSE

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  7. Chitra Tibrewal Director at Guptas Asso.Architects pvt.ltd.March 1, 2014 at 2:32 PM

    very well designed and developed...excellent

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  8. raman arora Director at Raman Arora Associates architectsMarch 1, 2014 at 2:33 PM

    we should have more people like Mr Reddy for developing
    beautiful residences

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  9. Excellent post. The strategy you have posted in this technology helped me to get into the next level and had lot of information

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