Situated in the arid desert region of Nokha, the Narsighar house imbibes the traditional planning principles of the regional Rajasthan architecture prevalent since centuries. Most of the houses & palaces built in this region since centuries had courtyards for passive cooling , thick stone walls to combat the excessive heat & stone ‘jali’ screens to mitigate heat gain.
Editor’s Note: “The enchanting house of Narsighar in Rajasthan stands as a timeless masterpiece, woven with meticulous details and contextual elements. Crafted from the region’s own sandstone, it unfolds through a series of courtyards, seamlessly embracing the essence of Rajasthan’s architectural heritage. The covered patios and intricate jaalis conjure the grandeur of a palace, bringing an air of regal elegance to the residence. With the artistry of local craftsmen, this abode breathes life into a harmonious blend of indoor and outdoor spaces, offering a true living experience steeped in tradition and beauty.” ~Simran Khare
This House Imbibes The Traditional Principles Of Rajasthan Architecture | Sanjay Puri Architects
The Narsighar house is punctuated with a series of courtyards & built in the local sandstone available in the immediate vicinity.
Each of the living spaces open into sheltered outdoor spaces screened with perforated stone panels. These screens in addition to reducing heat gain, also protect the inner spaces from the sandstorms prevalent in the region.
The home based on the clients needs to accommodate 4 generations has 9 bedrooms with multifunctional living spaces ,sheltered courtyards & patios all around.
In addition to the traditional planning principles, elements of traditional Rajasthan architecture, including multifoil arched windows, patterned stone screens, stone pergolas, inlay work & carving work, accentuate the spaces.
Rajasthan in India is home to many craftsmen, including stone carving, marble inlay, carpentry work, mirror work inlay, lime plaster, and more. The entire house was executed & worked upon by these local craftsmen, reviving many traditional techniques.
Although the house appears large, over 40% of the area is in the form of open courtyards, circulation spaces and sheltered outdoor patios . Each volume is articulated individually with the home being perceived as a composition of varying volumes.
An entry car porch opens into a sunlit courtyard that leads to a sheltered stone arcade flanked by water troughs and gardens for passive cooling before one enters the house. The skylit entrance lobby within the house is flanked by a living room. Moreover an open seating area leads one into a large central courtyard.
Clear-story windows naturally ventilate the main courtyard, while circulation skirts its perimeter. Sectionally, there is a flow of different volumes within.
Most of the rooms are 4M high, with the main living room 6.5M high. Additionally, the central courtyard 12M high, the north & south courtyards 8M high, and the outdoor patios 3.6M high.
Every living space & bedroom in the house opens into sheltered outdoor spaces, creating transitional volumes between the inside & the outside to mitigate heat gain.
Indirect sunlight permeates all the spaces filtered through arches or stone screens, creating different shadow patterns throughout the day.
Designers crafted this house using traditional principles and materials for passive cooling. Thus employing contract labor from nearby villages, stone from the vicinity, regional craftsmen, and locally sourced materials. The marble, stone, wood, lime plaster & furniture are all procured from Rajasthan.
Designed contextual to the climate, location & heritage of the region Narsighar revives the Indian traditional planning principles and revives traditional crafts. Moreover, creating an energy efficient home built to last for centuries, for future generations.
Fact FileDesigned by: Sanjay Puri Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Narsighar House
Location: Nokha, Rajasthan
Year Built: 2024
Built-up Area: 35994.516 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Sanjay Puri & Nina Puri
Design Team: Pooja Sampat ,Ayesha Puri, Tanya Puri ,Ashwini Mogaveera, Nilesh Patel & Sarika Kadam
Photograph Courtesy: Vinay Panjwani
Structure Consultants: Vijaytech Consultants
MEP Engineers: Shreshtha Consultants
Landscape Designers: Satatv Design Consultants
Lighting Consultant: Ashish Thakkar
Source: ArchDaily
Firm’s Website Link: Sanjay Puri Architects
Firm’s Instagram Link: Sanjay Puri Architects
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