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
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 […]
Perched gracefully along the edge of a manicured golf course, this C-shaped weekend retreat blends the spirit of Balinese home design architecture with a clean, modern palette. Designed as a sanctuary for rest and reconnection, the home opens inward and outward simultaneously—embracing a central courtyard while framing uninterrupted views of the fairway. This Balinese Home […]
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 […]
Located close to the historically-rich South Indian city of Mysuru, Solum embodies the endeavour towards living simply and close to nature. The client hails from a business background and yet harbours a fondness for the modesty and simplicity of an agrarian lifestyle. The young entrepreneur had always dreamt of developing a full-fledged farm self-sufficient in […]
“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 […]
Adorn, a home filled with earthen design and the laughter of a family of four, nestles in the peaceful neighborhood of Selvapuram, Coimbatore. “On one side, it shares boundaries with cozy family homes; meanwhile, the other side opens to expansive fields dotted with tall trees.” The fresh air scented with greenery sets a calming atmosphere […]
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 […]