The site of this south east facing house is next to an old house of the client’s parents. There are few farmlands and plenty of trees – neem and tamarind trees, surrounding the site area.
Editor’s Note: “Enveloped by a thick blanket of bricks, this residence in Tamil Nadu is a fusion of aesthetics and thermal comfort. Its gently curved facade instils a profound sense of tranquillity and serenity. The earthy jali wall encircling the dwelling orchestrates a captivating interplay of light and shadow while ensuring its inhabitants’ comfort.” ~Simran Khare
This South East Facing House Is Next To An Old House Of The Client’s Parents | RP Architects
Aadhi residence is located in the very hot and dry climatic region of Tamil Nadu. The architects planned the house to minimize the influx of hot air, thereby reducing heat gain, while ensuring ample natural ventilation and diffused light.
Compressed Stabilized Earth Block (CSEB) jaali on the south façade achieves this, which opens up into a double-height semi-covered courtyard.
Additionally, this space works as on stack effect letting the hot air escape and letting the cool air from jaali wall to enter into the building.
This is the first space we see when we enter the house. However, residents utilize this space as an informal dining area as well.
The living room is designed with a built-in oxide finished bench seating in a traditional way. The living connects to the garden sit-out verandah and windows over look into the rear side trees and garden. Moving further from here we can walk into the old parent’s house and cow shed as well.
Moreover, the kitchen is placed near the entrance with a breakfast counter connecting the courtyard and the kitchen space. It connects to the side sit out area, thus providing access to the kitchen garden and the old house.
The staircase leads to the first floor and opens up into a balcony overlooking into the large canopies of trees and the side garden area. This balcony also allows residents to overlook the old house area and facilitates easy chitchat between houses.
This courtyard further seamlessly connects into the living area. The design of these two spaces incorporates a unique curved layout, thus serving as a distinctive feature of the house.
There are 2 bedrooms similar to the ground floor for the son and uncle in the first floor. Each with separate attached bathrooms.
The front side of the first floor however, has a small library cum work space. This has a inbuilt reading corner with large windows with greenery view and also a in built work table and a large book shelf.
The low carbon emission construction techniques are used in the building like rammed earth walls, mud plasters, compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB), oxide flooring and walls. Thandur and Cuddapah are the natural stone flooring used. Reclaimed old kalimaruthu wood are used for all doors and windows.
With all these measures, the built space becomes a earthy, healthy and happier space for the user.
The entire house is placed in such a way, good cross ventilation and natural light is there, yet indoor spaces does not get heated up.
Fact File
Designed by: RP Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Aadhi residence
Location: Andoorani, Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu
Year Built: 2023
Duration of the project: 1 Year
Plot Area: 7000 Sq.ft
Built-up Area: 2182 Sq.ft
Project Cost: 54 lakhs
Principal Architect: Ar. Ramya Prasad
Photograph Courtesy: Aswin Yegappan SP
Products / Materials / Vendors: Finishes – Natural stones / Wallcovering / Cladding – Oxide walls / Construction Materials – Compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB), Rammed earth / Doors and Partitions – Reclaimed wooden doors and windows / Sanitaryware – Parryware, Jaquar / Windows – Reclaimed wooden doors and windows / Furniture – In built concrete furniture / Flooring – Natural tandur and cuddapah stones Kitchen – Parryware / Paint – Asian paints
Firm’s Website Link: RP Architects
The Firm’s Instagram Link: RP Architects
Firm’s Facebook Link: RP Architects
For Similar Project>>> A Climate Responsive Courtyard House In Kerala With An Earthy Palette And Natural Materials
Editors’ Note – This colonial house in Delhi carries an ambience of grandeur, infused with the elegance of Victorian-style colonialism. Expansive living, dining, and kitchen areas open into light-filled spaces framed by large glazing that connect seamlessly to the surrounding landscape. Inside, tropical interiors with bold geometry add a contemporary layer of comfort. The residence […]
“Hilltop House” is envisioned as a contemporary yet context-sensitive residential project that harmonizes architecture and interior design to create a sanctuary perched on a scenic elevation. The design will respond directly to the topography, climate, and panoramic views, while delivering a highly functional, comfortable, and aesthetically refined living environment. This Hilltop House in Indore Is […]
In the layered urban grain of Manjeri, the Timeless House reimagines a 1970s sloping roof residence through careful transformation. It’s a home that doesn’t shout for attention, but quietly repositions itself within its time and place, a sensitive reinterpretation of memory, material, and movement. Originally built in 1972, the house was structurally sound, featuring load-bearing […]
Editor’s Note: There’s something truly special about homes crafted with thought and care—where every corner and detail speaks to its users, becoming part of their memories. For siblings Akhila and Kaushik, Sona Reddy Studio brought this vision to life in One Summer House, a rustic farmhouse tucked within the vibrant city of Hyderabad. Designed with […]
This southwest-facing bungalow, with golden accents in its interiors, is a refined expression of contextual and climate-responsive modern architecture. The home embraces its orientation with an intelligent façade design that balances aesthetic appeal and environmental performance. With the sun’s harshest rays hitting the structure in the latter half of the day, the architects incorporated a […]
This North Facing villa opens towards the East to always soak in the cool and diffused light. Its orientation is mindful of the adjoining clubhouse and its expansive garden. The planning allows the villa’s private lawn to visually merge with it, creating a larger and cohesive space. With a connection to the open space at […]
An Urban Sanctuary Woven with Craft, Warmth, and Light Explicitly tucked into a quiet residential pocket, this home with a jaali facade is a thoughtfully layered expression of calm, character, and craftsmanship. Every surface and corner is rooted in intention — where light, material, and memory meet. The Jaali Design in this Layered Home Exudes […]
Set in the serene landscape of Nashik, the Dabholkar Residence by GDA is a home, embracing stone clad walls. Here, tradition and contemporary design exist in harmony. Designed to reflect the family’s deep connection to tradition and art while embracing the style of contemporary living, it is a space where architectural details, heritage furniture, artwork […]
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 […]