Eco-sensible Lifestyle - Need of the hour!

By Anuradha K. R.

Photography: Courtesy PSP Design

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Leading an eco-sensible life is a life-long commitment for a few. The concept of Mullicks Residence in Bengaluru speaks volumes about the sincerity of its residents towards the principles of reduce-reuse-recycle...

PSP Design, Chennai, have ably aided the Mullicks in their endeavour to leave light footprints on the environment; thanks to the use of materials in their raw/natural form. The residence blends beautifully with the environment, referencing the classic and contextually rising from its roots.

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“Our concerns were to put together a building that took advantage of natural ventilation, thermal mass, relevant shading and insulation… in ways that it stayed cool even during the hottest summer months,” informs Ajay Sethi, principal architect, PSP Design.

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A ‘bamboo half-arch canopy’ with its minimalistic use of man-made materials set amidst a bamboo-lined boundary-wall and designed as a vehicle park augments the thematic at the outset.  While the exposed brick masonry on the ground/ first floor blends well with soil, the exposed, hand-plastered cement finish on the first floor teams up with the shades of the sky. Large parts of interiors (walls and ceilings) are exposed as well. Besides having far-reaching implications ecologically, doing away with plastering and painting has massive benefits in terms of maintenance as well.  

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‘Hanging’ staircase with wooden stairs, emphasising yet again on naturally available materials is the show-stealer inside. Smooth cement floor derives its earthiness from a mixture of cement, sand, marble powder and titanium-di-oxide (bleaching agent), cured, cut and polished to perfection. Wood strips embedded at regular intervals serve to embellish the same. While marble powder helps in keeping the floor cool, broken china mosaic on the rooftop reflects intense heat, reducing the overall temperature inside. Brushed granite and hand-trowel-finished cement floor are the other types of floors used.

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Construction references classic architectural practices, where the first floor is twisted at 90 degrees and cantilevers on both, front and back, so as to provide deep cover to the openings on these two facades. The twist also creates terraces on the first floor on the two sides. A 13.5” brick wall on the east and west with minimal openings provide excellent thermal mass and full-height, shaded windows (African Teak) on the front (north) ensure ample daylight into the home. Solar geyser and small, 1KW solar PV cells take care of water heating and power supply to most of the electrical points respectively. Water collected through rainwater harvesting is utilized in flushing systems.

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Adherence to eco-friendly norms, even where energy certification isn’t mandatory entitles Mullicks Residence to accolades.

For more from this architect visit www.pspdesign.in