A doctor couple who wanted to leave the hustle and bustle of Chennai city bought a 2 Acre parcel of land in the outskirts of the city. The clients approached us with a clear brief of having a 2-bedroom house, with vernacular building elements incorporated. Our intention was to create a sense of nostalgia. A timeless and modern residence design that opts for sustainability.
A Timeless And Modern Residence Design That Opts For Sustainability | Studio One By Zero
Visit : Studio One By Zero
A dual courtyard is the heart of the house along the east-west direction connecting one end of the house to the other.
The living and kitchen are placed on one end whereas the bedrooms are placed on the other which provides better privacy.
The dining is placed in between the two courtyards to accommodate large family gatherings. This means that the clients are constantly connected to nature and its conditions outside, be it the morning sunshine or the smell of the monsoon rains.
To invoke a sense of nostalgia for her childhood visits to her village, we decided to use exposed brick and cement plaster throughout the house. This makes the architecture and the interior of the space to be more symbiotic with one another. The natural finish and appearance of each brick varies from one another creating textures that age organically through time.
The entrance of the house has a cantilevered slab which provides ample protection from the sun but lets in all the breeze that flows through the property. The living is planned in such a way that it overlooks the courtyard.
The grey oxide flooring with granite inlays along with the use of a filler slab in the ceiling ensures that the interior is kept cool throughout the day. Strips of 4mm glass break the monotony of the oxide flooring and also helps to avoid the floor from cracks. The character of the house is enhanced with wooden and brass antiques that have been sourced from different parts of Tamil Nadu.
We enter the dining room through a 9 feet wooden and glass door. The use of Athangudi tiles from Karaikudi adds a subtle traditional essence to the space. The courtyard on the west side has an intricate brick parametric wall flanked with tall plants on either side which balances the texture of the exposed brick, concrete, and lush green plants.
The positioning of this wall blocks the harsh light from the west. The projection and recession of the bricks create a wave-like pattern with varying light and shadow play throughout the day. The courtyard on the east has a Chinese Ficus tree as the central focus which gives a break from the brutalist brick and concrete aesthetic.
The folding gate opens to reveal the lush green lawn and the landscape on site providing endless views from the dining and courtyards. The courtyards create a passive cooling effect throughout the entire house.
The two bedrooms, the master and guest bedroom are separated from the dining and courtyard spaces by a 9 feet glass door. The master bedroom is treated with wood and cane to bring in enough warmth and texture to the space.
Upon entering the guest bedroom, you are welcomed by a striking live edge wood headboard which always serves as a conversation starter. All the furniture, wardrobe, kitchen cabinets, and doors used in the house are made from reclaimed wood taken from different palaces and houses in various parts of Tamil Nadu.
Reusing wood has always been our priority, our aim is to decrease the usage of freshly cut trees and repurposing the ones that have been discarded.
Fact File
Designed by : Studio One By Zero
Project Type : Residential Architecture Design
Project Name : VIPA Farm House
Location : Sholavaram, Chennai
Year Built : 2022
Project Size : 2350 Sq.ft
Principal Architect : Deepak Sundaram
Interiors And Styling : Kavya Rajendra
Junior Architects : Prem Mohan & Tharunika Prabhuram
Photograph Courtesy : Yash R Jain
Firm’s Instagram Link : Studio One By Zero
For Similar Project >>> This Farmhouse Creates A Harmonious Blend Between The Interior And Exterior
The site is located in Ahilyanagar town of Maharashtra, with a design brief of 7,000 sq feet, while the house had to be designed for the hot and dry climate, which responds carefully to extreme temperatures, intense sunlight, and low humidity. The design focuses on reducing heat gain, improving natural ventilation, and creating comfortable indoor spaces with […]
“Pravah” — A House That Breathes is envisioned as the main concept of this home revolves around a fluid, light-filled home where architecture becomes a continuous experience of movement, air, and connection. Located in Pal Gamtal, Surat, the project is a residential redevelopment on a 1,850 sq.ft. plot within a dense urban fabric. The site, […]
SapanoUday is a contemporary residence that balances material rawness with layered textures and crafted detail, aligning modern living with cultural and spatial sensibilities. Designed by Hundreddesigns, the home responds closely to the client’s routines and artistic inclinations while thoughtfully integrating Vastu principles. HundredDesigns The designers defined the architecture through a minimal palette, using exposed concrete […]
KRIPA is a residence that reflects the personality and lifestyle of its homeowner — calm, open, and rooted in nature. The project focuses on creating light-filled, green spaces with minimal private zones, encouraging openness and connection. In a time when spaces are shrinking but expectations are rising, architecture becomes the medium to bridge this gap […]
The Sculpted Sanctuary is a masterclass in modern minimalist design. The project focuses on “Quiet Luxury”. It is the idea that a space doesn’t need bright colors or flashy decor to feel expensive. Instead, it uses raw natural materials, rich textures, and sharp architectural lines. This Home Is A Masterclass In Modern Minimalist Design | […]
SIDHARTHA, is a four-bedroom modern house which is functional and aesthetic driven by the specific needs of the client. The location of the site is in a dense neighbourhood in Bengaluru, India. The contemporary urban dwelling frequently negotiates competing demands. It balances generous daylight and visual connection to the street with privacy, dust control, and […]
Located in HMT Layout, Bangalore, Isha_Srinidhi Nilaya stands as a multi-generational home designed on a compact 60×40 ft (2400 sq. ft) East facing plot, with a total built-up area of 8000 sq. ft. East Facing a lush public park, the residence responds to its urban setting through a layered design that balances privacy with a […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]
Plants for home garden, apart from making houses look more beautiful and inviting, add health and calmness to them. Having any kind of indoor plant, a herb plant or a flowering plant adds some value to your decor and the quality of the space. Always choose plants that will flourish in your space and climate. […]