Tag Archives: sustainable architecture

sand, stone and water

19/05/2008 DesignFlute 2 Comments

If you are thinking about amazing geometry and curves of this house so effortlessly mingling with each other then also note that this house accommodates a family swimming pool in just 450 sqm plot. And let me tell you everything has a functional aspect other than just design!

This stunning house is situated in Jodhpur city, in the middle of Thar Desert.

All the creativity and talent @ architects Matharoo associates is at work here.

Composite walls of dressed stone on the outside and brick on inside are used as construction methods. The brick stone composite wall insulates much more than ‘all stone’ traditional walls.

Another great insulator is predominant focus of design – water – in the form of a swimming pool.

To understand what kind of solace a swimming pool gives to people living without water for many generations, we need to actually live in a desert area! The swimming pool is made into a canopy, which shadows the stone boulders and makes the presence of water felt even if sometimes there is none. The living areas are shielded from sun with the pool above. Simple corrugated GI sheet is used as formwork for the swimming pool soffit.

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green roots, Indian interiors & architecture

earth sheltered building

13/05/2008 DesignFlute 1 Comment

‘Style’ emerges from the project and not from the architect. Every project deserves its own style based on the site, user requirements, available materials and technology. ? Space – design Consultants

AIIS

Architects: Space-Design Consultants

In the age of ‘hero’ architects or architectural heroism somehow I tend to veer towards this credo of Space – Design Consultants. I am asking myself why it is so that style (first &/or only) attracts most of us more than anything else!

Space Design Consultants is Delhi based architectural firm which is concerned about sustainability in buildings. Energy efficiency, material selection for reduction in wastes and pollution are their guides for design.

The building of American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS) has a very traditional look and yet it has adopted innovative and simple energy conserving and passive cooling measures. The walls of the building are insulated. A simple strategy of orienting the windows in most favourable directions has been used.

The roof has a terrace garden to keep the building naturally cool. Two courtyards (and that too sunken ones) bring natural light and ventilation. To create a peaceful ambience the courtyards are created with vegetation and water bodies.

Natural materials like brick, exposed concrete, and sandstone have been used.

Indian interiors & architecture

welcome to learning street!

15/01/2008 DesignFlute Leave a comment

From outside it looks pretty much the same- the deceptive box architecture. But this educational facility in the heart of Mumbai opens up for a complete redical re-think.

Designer architects : Planet 3 Studios

Here walls bend, curve and tilt to challenge accepted notions of structural stability. Orthogonal rigidity is eschewed. A cleverly designed porous polycarbonate skin allows the structure to be naturally aerated at all times.

The entire structure dispels pre-conceived notions of design and construction. Read about design patterns here.

If you think it is only a box of asymmetric spaces, go take a walk! It is a very complex design assimilating every possible need of a higher education facility and Much More!

You are onto the learning street; Friends! Enter as the building does not have gates (!) only large punctures which connect inside with the outside.

The building architecture is devised as a group of distinct facilities (four engineering faculties) connected by a self guiding interior promenade with nooks and alcoves to accommodate student activities.

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architecture, green roots

green turfed roofscape

11/01/2008 DesignFlute 36 Comments

School of Art, Design & Media, Nanyang, Singapore

Designers : CPG Consultants Pte Ltd

This is a 5-storey School of Art, Design & Media at Nanyang Technological University campus, Singapore. This stunning piece of award-winning architecture is situated in a wooded valley. Before you read on, answer this : is this a landscape or a building?

The embracing arms of this unique building have a most spectacular verdant turfed roof which blends with ground contour as if emerges from it. It has glass curtain wall and raw concrete minus the painting.

Apart from its visual impact, the turfed roofscape helps to lower the roof temperature and surrounding areas. It works as a functional space, as a scenic outdoor community space via easily accessible sidesteps along the roof edge.

Lighting plays an important aspect to the building. The full glass curtain wall allows generous doses of daylight into the studios and galleries while cutting off the tropical heat. At night, the building glows like a lantern.

The exterior glass facade of the building allows full views to the outside, again providing visual connectivity with the surrounding lush landscape.

Three blocks of the school building are organically interwoven to enclose a sunken courtyard and a unique interconnectivity and flow.

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