NAME OF THE PROJECT: MANOJ JAIN RESIDENCE

The idea of a second home in the context of growing economic conditions is more of a reality today. These homes in some cases serve as getaway spaces from the bustling and chaotic conditions of the city. Usually they are located far away from the city or on its edge. These conditions allow for the investigation of emerging conditions, as the idea of a house as long term or even lifetime investment, signifying permanence, is changing and reflects the uncertain and temporal conditions.

The week end home for Mr. Jain, a young business man who wanted a place where his family of 3 and friends could spend time during weekends or on holidays. The brief arrived at after several deliberations with the client was fairly simple, it needed to be free from the encumbrances of a conventional city home or the traditional farm house and also called for generous outdoor gathering spaces. The site conditions and the program were ideal to explore this emerging scenario, located on the edge of the city in a residential enclave surrounded by green belt areas. The site measured 527m² defined by roads on two edges along the east and the south. An existing club house catering to the enclave defined the other side of the road on the eastern edge.

The idea revolved around the notion of pavilions and outdoor rooms which would encourage sensitive engagement with the context. Taking cue from the existing trees lining the western and the northern edges, an intimate open to sky space was defined by the programmatic envelope along the eastern and the southern edges. These included spaces for sleeping, dining, toilets, access stair for the upper levels, where the need for multipurpose space was accommodated. These spaces were further resolved as identifiable spaces (pavilions) allowing the project to take on the character of inhabited landscape rather than conventional home where these spaces engage with the open to sky spaces and the surroundings. These un-built spaces are further modulated in terms of section as stepped courts or bermed gardens encouraging informal gathering spaces. The entry to the pavilion is along the southern edge leading one along to the kitchenette in the north through an informal lounging space or access the private sleeping space and access to the upper level in the southwest corner. This organization also creates an interesting relationship between outdoor room and the garden on the eastern edge. These two spaces are connected by a lounging space with collapsible doors on the either side which when opened forms a continuous space. The upper level multipurpose space, primarily used as an entertainment space is totally detached, supported with four independent composite wood and plywood columns rising to 5 meters in height this space opens out to views along the east and west directions.

The constructional logic explores the idea of temporality with an experimental angle. Here materials like plantation timber, plywood, bamboo and industrial roofing sheets are combined with conventional masonry technology to create assemblage which engages with nature. The contrasting centers in the house express the different uses and methods of making the different parts. The lower level is defined by bamboo columns and lathe and plaster walls strengthened by split bamboo grid work. The roof is plantation timber beams supporting industrial roofing. The upper level box has timber frame work and wall system similar to lower level. Simple plywood paneling and window systems define the east and the western edges of the multipurpose box. The framing system is also the architects continuing research into sustainable practices using bamboo, plywood and the local hard woods which are durable but susceptible to warping, how the resolution of these characteristics and incorporating the local and traditional skill sets of carpenters, masons etc could be the origin of architectural expression rooted to the times.

Usage of materials like bamboo, plantation timber, plywood etc. suggests an attempt to address ecological concerns. This light weight and renewable technology is user friendly, easy to construct and ideal for earthquake and hurricane prone areas. The look and feel of the project helps to bring to focus the fact that these alternate materials need not be looked upon as poor man’s timber but can be exploited in areas of application like urban houses, resorts, farmhouses, dhabas, interiors of restaurants etc.