From just being a space of stay, this modern design house has become a space of work, rejuvenation, and retreat. This can be achieved by bringing in nature through the design of livable biophilic spaces, which is our firm’s core philosophy and hence the name “seeders I biophilic architecture studio”.
Editor’s Note: “This introverted residence in Puducherry envelops you in a spacious, open, and biophilic embrace, thanks to its thoughtful planning, meticulously chosen materials, and verdant, ventilated spaces. The tactile sensations of wavy plastering and the harmonious blend of landscape and hardscape materials create a majestic living experience. Inside, the interplay of white walls and warm browns evokes a subtle, comforting ambiance.” ~Simran Khare
Modern Design House Is More Than Just A Space to Stay | seeders: biophilic architecture studio
Flanked by buildings on all three sides with a south-facing frontage along with its proximity to a 100-foot main road, “the soul talks” is yet another open, spacious, biophilic residence.
Factors such as noise, walls of neighbouring buildings abutting the site boundary, and the south side modern facade drove the design to an introverted house.
Entering through the main gate, you find the cleverly designed scooped pedestrian steps and ramp, crafted to achieve the car’s turning radius in such a tight space.
Each and every design detail in this modern house has some purpose for its existence there. Let’s talk about the facade, for instance.
Vastu played a major role in the zoning of the spaces, and it brought all the bedrooms to the south side.
And hence, to reduce heat gain, in master bedroom the south wall has been designed for the wardrobe forming a buffer for the interior space.
On the first floor, ferrocement fins screen the sliding glass shutters of the bedrooms, shaping the evolution of the facade design.
The core aim of this project was to design well-lit, ventilated, and greenery-filled collaborative multi-functional spaces.
The main door opens to a single large space with a double-height garden at the heart of it, housing the living area, pooja, dining area, and staircase with multiple in-built seating options to enjoy the space.
The skylight above the central garden brings natural light to the interiors, in addition to the sliding shutters facing the landscaped setback area.
The wavy pattern plastering on the compound wall adds depth to the space and also forms a rustic background for the landscapes.
The dining room almost feels like sitting amidst the garden since it opens up to setback landscapes through UPVC glass sliding shutters on two sides of the corner, blurring the boundaries.
The kitchen hides behind the staircase wall to provide the necessary privacy, yet it opens to the dining space. The dining space sort of acts as a connection between the kitchen and the living area.
These openings also light the kitchen, and the strategically placed slit windows illuminate the counter space, facilitating daytime tasks.
The first-floor bedrooms face the south-facing facade. Multiple layers of buffer have been created to keep the bedroom shaded from the sun. The ferrocement fins shade the room’s glass sliding shutters, while the vegetation in the balcony space acts as both a heat buffer and a relaxing area.
The terrace seating was positioned to overlook the giant tree in the nearby neighborhood. The seater, surrounded by vegetation on all sides with gravel flooring, forms a space to relax and rejuvenate. The clients enjoy this space on all evenings.
Throughout “the soul talks,” a minimal earthy colour tone has been followed. The pale green of leather-finished Kota stone and metal handrails, the terracotta red of the porotherm bricks, the beige-toned compound wall, and the and the soothing brown of the wood merge well on the white canvas walls, along with the play of green vegetation and sunlight pouring over the spaces.
In “The Soul Talks,” space is not just a physical construct but a narrative waiting to unfold—a canvas where the play of light, the rustle of leaves, and the hum of urban life converge into a harmonious whole. Here, architecture transcends mere form to become an expression of the soul.
The staircase leads to the first-floor passage that connects the terrace and bedrooms on either side. The passage overlooks the central space, flanked by Porotherm brick jaalis on two opposite sides, with a skylight at the top.
This arrangement plays a major role in keeping the space cool as the porotherm brick jaali brings in fresh air. Meanwhile, privacy is maintained, and as the air heats up, it rises and escapes through the side gaps in the top skylight.
The wabi-sabi-styled chandelier, which embraces the space with its beauty both in the daytime and when lit at night, metaphorically represents the soul of this house.
The central garden not only acts as a transitional space, but it also paves the way for the pooja room. The pooja door design references the circle-shaped skylight above.
Responding to the client’s request, the pooja room roof remains partly open, accentuated by a bamboo installation that both prevents falls from the upper floor and adds a sense of enclosure and grandeur.
The interplay of morning light through these bamboo hangings creates enchanting patterns of shadow, further enriching the tranquil atmosphere of pooja.
The central circle skylight has been elevated to serve as a party table for gatherings. They designed custom ferrocement seats to endure all weather conditions while being open on the terrace.
Fact File
Designed by: seeders I biophilic architecture studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture
Project Name: the soul {talks}
Location: Puducherry, India
Year Built: 2024
Duration of the project: 1 Year 6Months
Plot Area: 1800 sq.ft
Built-up Area: 2750sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ar. D.Dinesh
Team Design Credits: Ar. S.Sivaranjani
Photograph Courtesy: Priyanka Rajan
Consultants for the Project: Civil: Er. E.Mahendran (JB builders) / Interior Designers: seeders / Landscape Architects: seeders / Structure Engineers: Er. Arun / Contractors: woodlux
Products / Materials / Vendors / Lighting: Finishes: ASIAN PAINTS / Lighting: PHILIPS, AURO BALA LAMPSHADES / Sanitaryware: JAGUAR, KEROVIT / Facade Systems: AURO SANTHAI (ferrocement fins) / Windows: FENESTA / Flooring: SOMANY / Kitchen: HETTICH, EBCO / Hardware: FABER, SAMSUNG, ATOMBERG
Firm’s Instagram Link: seeders I biophilic architecture studio
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