PROJECT Nandigram: Blissful Abode of the Soul, a Center for Service and Sadhana - Design of Parekh House

LOCATION  Nandigram, Gujarat, IN

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  12/12/2014

ARCHITECT ATI, Inc.

ASSOCIATED ARCHITECT  Mahendra Parekh

OWNER/CLIENT  Mahendra Parekh

CONTRACTOR / CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  Rakeshbhai Parekh

PHOTOGRAPHER  Rajesh Vora

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  Mahendra Parekh, Prasad Anaokar, Ameya Athvankar

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

HARI AUM - PAREKH RESIDENCE AT NANDIGRAM Premise: In tropical climates the human body feels a level of physical comfort within an ambient temperature range of 33oC (91.4oF) under shade with an artificial or natural breeze, to 18oC (64.4oF) with a very slight air movement. Humidity more than 50% at any temperature also affects the level of comfort experienced. THE HOUSE Design Form: The design form is conceived as 30’x30’ (27 feet clear) cube with truncated top. It has a full floor below grade as a work/studio space. The main floor plan is a simple square divided into four spaces along an east-west spine, connecting two porches on each end of the spine. There is a reading/painting loft overlooking double height volume. Disposition of functional spaces on the main floor, namely living, kitchen, sleeping, and bathrooms, are site driven in terms of solar orientation, views, storm water drainage and site grading. The entire composition is based on a 6 foot square module, a three dimensional puzzle with a play of solid and voids to modulate the sunlight while controlling temperatures. Organically speaking, it connects the occupants with the earth, surrounding natural environment and the sky. Regional Context/Character: One cannot help but to notice vernacular building forms and materiality of the area that exemplify tall gable/hip roofs, exposed brick/mud walls and arched gable end verandahs, mud floors, uncut wood rafters, clay tiles and vastly extended verandah roofs to mitigate westerly rain with low thatch roof attached to the main roof. It emulates the fabric with which architecture is woven. Local population, not influenced by urban growth, dressed sparingly during the summer and spent significant amount of time in outdoors/verandah spaces. Recent trends, influenced by urban living, to build “Pacca Ghar” or “solid houses” out of concrete and plastered walls and a few punched windows, appears to have taken no inspiration from vernacular architectural form with regional context and character. Building Envelope: The building Envelope emulates the layered approach of skin. The brick walls are double: outside 4” + 4” cavity + 9” of interior brick wall. The cavities are ventilated with weep holes top and bottom. The roof is composed of two layers: the inside is ¾’ plywood with tar sheet on top + 6” of space topped with clay tiles. The glass is strategically placed for view and daylight infusion to balance with the brick walls to mitigate the heat gain in summer and penetration of sunlight in the winter. 24% of the wall surface is glass. All the glass at the clerestory level is shaded by roof overhang when heat gain is at its peak. Sustainable features of the house: • Regional character of the indigenous building typology. • Solar hot water supply. • Training of local labor. • Earth cooling through cellar. • Energy use minimized through natural ventilation and daylight.

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF

IMAGE CAPTIONS & CREDITS

IMAGE 1  NPR Exterior 2 - West elevation View, Rajesh Vora

IMAGE 2  NPR Exterior 1 - Front Southest Corner, Rajesh Vora

IMAGE 3  NPR Interior 1 - Southeast Corner Living Space, Rajesh Vora

IMAGE 4  NPR Interior 2 - East towards Lofts, Rajesh Vora

IMAGE 5  NPR Interior 3 - Southwest Living Stair to Loft, Rajesh Vora

IMAGE 6  NPR Interior 4 - Entry Looking thru West Spine, Rajesh Vora

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IMAGE 8