Spacious, inviting, and intimate, courtyards have an integral place in the vernacular architecture across India. Beyond their climatic purposes, courtyards assume the role of a social space, a space for contemplation, and a space where something happens. Their presence in various forms, proportions, and sizes has been a ubiquitous feature in Indian vernacular architecture. The courtyard house—located in Mansanpally village, 40 km away from Hyderabad—is a modern twist on the local Manduva house. Designed for contemporary living, the courtyard design house is a reminder of the simplicity and authenticity of vernacular architecture. It creates spaces that are as functional as they are serene.
Editor’s Note: “The Courtyard House incorporates traditional concepts of Manduva houses into a modern design, in perfect balance with nature. Using natural materials such as wood and stone, this design seeks an equilibrium among other factors of privacy, social space, and climatic comfort. The central courtyard integrates community and tranquility, reflecting vernacular architecture, to provide a calm and functional home.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
This Courtyard Design Is A Reminder Of The Authentic Vernacular Architecture | 23 Degrees Design Shift
The brief provided by the client envisioned the expansion of a single-bedroom farmhouse into a place where his extended family could live in the tranquil company of nature. This called for the addition of six bedrooms along with a fully functional kitchen and dining area and expansive areas for communal living.
The need for privacy and socializing further required the design to provide green areas for each room, along with seamless connectivity to communal open spaces. This requirement of the brief was resolved by reinterpreting the traditional ‘Manduva house.’
The courtyard, an integral part of the Manduva house, has been reinterpreted to accommodate the elements of modern rural living. By strategically detaching the four blocks around the central courtyard, as opposed to a traditional courtyard layout, the design allows natural ventilation from all directions, enhancing airflow and overall comfort.
This spatial organization also prioritizes the client’s need for solitude, and social interaction whilst retaining the connection with nature. Moreover, to achieve a unified look, the roof has been fragmented into four smaller sections contained under a single roof.
Constructed entirely in wood, without the use of metal structural members, the structure highlights the essence of rural architecture—a building that harmonizes with the environment, and responds to local climatic conditions whilst relying on its use of natural materials.
As one approaches the farmhouse through a narrow passage, set within a mango orchard, the inviting building with expansive semi-open verandas greets them.
The journey continues across an entrance waterbody onto an entrance veranda, offering a view into the living and dining blocks. The verandas, sheltered by the extended wooden roof, provide much-needed shelter while transitioning from the outdoors to the indoors.
Large glass panels and operable wooden-framed doors in the living room invite one to explore the courtyard. Brimming with greenery, the central courtyard provides a space for communal activities. Additionally, a small water feature with a wooden suspended deck adds to the space’s versatility and functions as a climatic regulator.
The central courtyard provides access to the bedrooms and other private spaces. Each bedroom opens onto a rear veranda, which ensures the privacy of its residents by avoiding direct visual connection to the courtyard. Moreover, this layout also offers private open seating areas for each bedroom. Furthermore, the design maintains the courtyard’s integrity and sanctity.
The interior follows the minimalist theme, expressing simplicity and functionality through its use of natural materials and an earthy color palette. Single leather-finish Kota stone renders the semi-open and closed spaces into a unified look, while civil walls, painted with a white microtopping finish, add a sense of austerity befitting the rural house.
Visual interest in the design is generated by cladding feature walls with brown sandstone at strategic locations. Bright pops of colors and contrast are introduced through furniture. Natural timber roofs and Spanish terrace tile establish the connection to the site’s rural context. Furthermore, large glass openings provide unobstructed views of nature outside. This scheme, devoid of embellishments, allows the real beauty of materials to remain exposed and celebrated. Thus, ensuring that the architecture becomes a part of the natural scenery rather than standing out against it.
The courtyard house celebrates the essence of rural architecture and engages in a dialogue between tradition and modernity through contemporary design. Additionally, every element of the design, from the central courtyard to the exposed roof. Thus, reflecting a commitment to creating spaces that honor its heritage without compromising the needs of today. By tactfully combining natural materials to meet the spatial needs of a modern house, the architecture creates a home that feels both timeless and relevant. Thereby, an extension is a true embodiment of modern rural living that remains deeply connected to its roots.
Fact File
Designed by: 23 Degrees Design Shift
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Courtyard House
Location: Rangareddy, Telangana
Year Built: 2023
Built-up Area: 14,000 sq. m
Principal Architects: Srikanth Reddy, Neelesh Kumar & Raghuram
Photograph Courtesy: Ishi Sitwala
Manufacturers: Hunsur, Magari, Ritika woods
Source: ArchDaily
Firm’s Website Link: 23 Degrees Design Shift
The Firm’s Instagram Link: 23 Degrees Design Shift
Firm’s Facebook Link: 23 Degrees Design Shift
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