House Around A Tree | 4site Architects
A Single residence in a 40’-0” X 60’-0” plot evolved from a rigorous inquiry into the particulars of location and program. Our client, Mr. P.V.Varghese, is a valued partner, in our collaborative design process. As a response to his design brief, we came up with the idea of “Tree hugger House”.n“As an architect, one needs to design a built environment, rather than just being a shelter.”
With the understanding of our client’s background (from Kerala-God’s own country), priorities, values, and inspirations, likes and dislikes we got to know our challenges. First one was to create a contemporary residence with Values of Kerala architecture and interior spaces that would resonate with the client’s personality.
The Essence- Special Features In a dense urban context, we embraced nature with our built environment to focus on the dichotomy of interior and exteriors. The Palm tree that divides the parking and pedestrian path at a lower level act as a visual treat from Master Bed and common balcony at first floor with its foliage flowing into the balcony.
The choice of limited colors in the material palette helps in drawing the focus towards the landscape and the wood used in the interiors. Wood was used as the key element that added: “color and texture” that brought in warmth and richness to the spatial organization. The landscape is the focal element in this project that knits the entire built and un-built together and highlights the liveliness in the neighborhood. The dynamics within the home change with respect to the seasonal changes the landscape elements undergo.
Concept: Tree Hugger Our Client is close to nature and wanted his dream house with a close connection to nature as it reminded him of his home and childhood. So he asked us to “design a House around a Tree.” Our challenge was to achieve the same ambiance in an urban scenario. The large footprint of a traditional Kerala home and its virtues had to be imbibed in a smaller urban footprint.
The concept was conceived as an abstraction of the traditional “Nadumuttam (central courtyard) concept” in most of the houses in Kerala, wherein the homes are composed around a focal landscape feature usually a Tulsi plant.
As a response to his design brief, we came up with the idea of a ‘house that embraces trees’ we call it a ‘’Tree hugger, a contemporary urban residence with values of Kerala Architecture.’’
Materials of Construction: Structure: Framed RCC structure and Solid Concrete block walls as in-fill. Fenestrations: Wooden Doors and UPVC windows
Facade: 1. The “Vertical Drops” on the facades (acts as a screen ) from neighbors, made of Aluminium boxes and plastered over MS mesh. 2. Sika Crack resistance Material used for exteriors to get a smooth finish. 3. High-Pressure Laminate panel as composition. Interiors: FSC Certified Teak wood was used for doors and windows, wooden steps, wooden flooring and for little furniture.
Architects: 4site architects
Location: Bengaluru, India
Category: Houses Interiors
Lead Architects: Chandrakant. Kanthigavi
Team: Rohit Baligidad, Madhusudhan, Veema Haridas, Bhagyashri
Area: 3300.0 ft2
Photographs: Gokul Rao Kadam
Design Team: Nimisha Varghese, Anagha K
Client: P.V. Varghese, Bengaluru
Source
Only few homes envisioned as art sanctuaries, and even less so, like curated living experiences. Yet, VH Design in Ahmedabad, is just that—a personal expression of its resident’s tastes for art, designs, raw materials, and stories. A Residence for Mitesh Trivedi, his wife and his son Ridham and daughter in law, this residence combines functionality […]
Kochi’s design landscape is evolving rapidly, shaped by a new generation of visionary minds. This feature spotlights architects in Kochi who are leading the change through innovation, sensitivity, and a deep understanding of the city’s cultural fabric. As Kochi continues to expand, the role of architects in Kochi becomes even more crucial in defining spaces […]
Tucked within the leafy lanes of Sagar Society, Hyderabad, this 7,450 sq. ft. villa rises as a contemporary residence deeply anchored in tradition and nature. Three towering trees frame the structure at its entry, their organic silhouettes tempering the scale of the built form and setting the stage for a home that balances architectural gravitas […]
Rooted in a newer extension of the vibrant city of Ahmedabad, this abode represents a fine tune of modern design sensibility with timeless material expression and spatial volumetric connections. A home for a family of 4 which balances openness with privacy, functionality with aesthetics and luxury with warmth. The physical orientation of the east facing […]
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 […]
“Even within the smallest green lies all the purity and freshness of Eden.” This idea became the seed for Eden Moss, a home nestled in an ecological environment and imagined as a breath of freshness, evoking the scent of mud after rain, and seamlessly intertwined with nature while still embracing comfort and contextual charm. Nestled […]
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 […]
Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]
The door design for main door is a defining feature of any Indian home, embodying both style and cultural significance. In a country rich with diverse architectural traditions, the entrance to your home reflects not only personal taste but also cultural heritage. Whether you’re drawn to the intricate carvings of traditional Indian door designs or […]