Courtyard House by Architect Sanjay Puri

Summary

Sanjay Puri, principal architect of Sanjay Puri Architects, discusses the holistic approach to designing houses, emphasizing the importance of site analysis, client requirements, and contextuality. The firm's project on a 5-acre site adjacent to a cement plant showcases an innovative design featuring 18 private courtyards, inspired by traditional architecture and the Bongi village concept. The house integrates organic street planning and sustainable features, such as indirect lighting and exposed concrete, creating a unique, sculptural space that is cooler than the outside environment without artificial cooling.

Takeaways

• 🏢 The firm Sanjay Puri Architects, established in 1992, has a diverse portfolio in architecture, including landscape and interior design.
• 🌞 The design process begins with a holistic analysis of the site's sun direction, context, and climate throughout the year.
• 👤 Understanding the client's requirements and comfort level is crucial to tailor the design to their needs and preferences.
• 🏠 The client provided an open scope for the house design, with large requirements including two living rooms, nine bedrooms, and extensive areas.
• 📍 The site is located at the edge of a cement plant, offering a 5-acre area with open spaces and low hills, devoid of other structures.
• 🏡 The house is divided into two parts: a larger main house and a smaller guest house, both centered around courtyards.
• 🏡🌿 The design incorporates 18 smaller courtyards around the house, allowing each room, bathroom, and dressing room to open into its own private space.
• 🏰 The concept of the Bongi village in Rajasthan inspired the design, with each room having a distinct identity and varying volumes.
• 🏙️ Organic street patterns from old Indian cities were integrated into the house's circulation spaces for unique orientations and views.
• 🌡️ Architectural planning ensures indirect sunlight and natural cooling, making the house 7-8° cooler without the need for fans or air conditioning.
• 🗿 Exposed concrete was chosen as the main material for its sculptural quality, availability, and cost-effectiveness, contributing to the house's sustainability.
• 🛠️ The execution of the project in India presented challenges due to the complexity of the design and the need to work with a contractor unfamiliar with such shapes.

Q & A

Who is Sanjay Puri and what is his professional background?

Sanjay Puri is the principal architect of the firm Sanjay Puri Architects, established in 1992. He has a vast experience in various fields of architecture, including landscape and interior design.

What is the primary consideration when designing a house according to Sanjay Puri?

The very first thing in designing a house is to look at the site holistically, considering the sun direction, the context of its surroundings, and the impact of the climate on that particular site at different times of the year.

What is the second most important point to consider during the design process?

The second most important point is to understand the client's requirements, what they would be comfortable with, and enjoy, ensuring the design is neither too complicated nor too simple for the client's preferences.

How did the client's requirements influence the design of the house in the script?

The client had an open scope for the design and large requirements, including two large living rooms, nine bedrooms, and big areas in each aspect of the house. These requirements were incorporated within the 5-acre site at the edge of a cement plant.

What is unique about the site where the house was designed?

The site is unique as it is at the edge of a cement plant with low hills at the rear and large open spaces on all other sides, providing an opportunity to integrate built spaces with open spaces in interesting ways.

How is the house divided in terms of its layout?

The house is divided into two parts: a larger part for the owner and a smaller part that acts as a guest house for visitors to the cement plant.

What concept did Sanjay Puri Architects take from traditional architecture for this project?

The concept of courtyards was taken from traditional architecture, with the house featuring both central and external courtyards around its entire perimeter.

What architectural style from Rajasthan influenced the design of the house?

The design was influenced by the Bongi village in Rajasthan, where houses typically consist of round structures that are added to as the family grows.

How does the house's design address the issue of direct sunlight and heat?

Every room has windows that open into 3 to 4 meters deep veranda spaces or decks, allowing light to enter indirectly and keeping the house cooler without the need for fans or air conditioning.

Why was exposed concrete chosen as the main material for the house?

Exposed concrete was chosen because the house was designed in a sculptural way to look like a sculpture against the surrounding greenery. Additionally, concrete was readily available on-site with no transportation cost.

What were some of the challenges faced during the execution of the project?

The main challenge was working with a contractor who had never made shapes that twist like the design required, necessitating a learning process and extensive explanation during the execution of the site.