The Twi-skylight House
The brief was to design a passive solar, energy efficient home on a tight, urban infill block. The site measured 20’x35’ and garage access was possible only at the front. Solar access was compromised by an existing two-storey neighbouring building and the block was bordered by high parapet walls on both sides. As per client’s needs,the design had to accommodate a lift shaft along with internal and external staircases which took up most of the space.
To overcome these design challenges the front living room was clubbed with the kitchen & dining space. Two skylights were introduced to increase solar access and make the building energy efficient.
The plot was located at Shankarapuram, measured 27’x53’; south facing & surrounded by residential buildings on 3 sides. Entry & garage access was possible only from the front. The client wanted to have parking space for 3 cars & a few 2 wheelers along with a driver’s room. He further wanted us to design the building in such a way that he could lease out one floor & use two floors as his residence. The client wanted a vastu compliant residence & also specified that the North east corner has to be left open as per vastu.
Accordingly, keeping these aspects in mind, we started to think about a concept that could check these requirements & overcome all design challenges. We planned to provide stilt parking & a driver’s room on the ground floor. An external staircase ran throughout the building starting from the ground floor till the terrace floor. The first floor was designed to be 2 units, a 2BHK & a 1BHK that could be leased out. Since the client had specifically mentioned that the north east corner has to be completely left open, we shifted the staircase to the south east corner and a passage led to these 2 units on 1st floor & made sure the north east corner was free of any built form.
Further, we designed the second & third floor as a duplex unit with an internal wooden staircase. A double height space with large windows on 2 sides brought in sufficient amount of light & gave a premium touch to the residence. The second floor comprises 2 bedrooms with attached toilets, a kitchen, pooja room, formal & informal living rooms & a powder room. The third floor had one bedroom & a private terrace designed to be a barbeque area.
During our site visit, our team had observed & noted that this plot had an empty playground bordered by an 8 feet high compound wall on the south side beside the access road; the residence would get an unobstructed view from the first floor onwards. While we were developing a facade for the residence, we kept this in mind & made sure that we incorporated a special element, large chamfered windows so that the inmates could get unobstructed views of the famous Shankar Mutt from their residences.
The client was really impressed by these ideas and it was indeed a memorable first project & a successful design story for us!