Helping you leave out the chaos and interpret your own world is where the actual power of spaces come to the fore. This serene home on the outskirts of New Delhi illustrates this perfectly.
Spread across 2.5 acres and situated far away from the extravagance and chaotic hustle of South Delhi is a home designed by Moorthy & Associates that nurtures self expression and wanders within the realms of nature.
The beauty of this home lies in its sustainable and socially responsive environment that explores the various facets of nature.
Juxtaposing the organic orientation of nature against the urban needs of living, the home evolves through varied courtyards, spaces and water bodies that encompass exotic plants.
The house references the cultural distinctiveness of the owners’ roots in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The architectural sembelances of this house are perhaps an additional testimony to the same.
The study laden in wood adds warmth to the space and is actually the favourite room of the owners where they spend most of their day.
A careful selection of components from the coastal region of Kerala are adapted to this home’s current location on the outskirts of Delhi. The house has lofty internal volumes under pitched tiled roofs, courtyard centric planning and water bodies that help with cooling; other design interventions include the precise orientation towards the sun and wind, in addition to mutual shading.
The contextual and aesthetic disciplines in this home is also high when it comes to energy saving. The shaded verandahs and openings facilitate cross ventilation resulting in the natural cooling of the home.
The house integrates numerous eco-friendly techniques like water recycling, rain water harvesting, use of solar energy and usage of local as well as recycled materials. And what tops it all is the organic farm run by the owners.
A fascinating row of columns made from rapidly renewable coconut trees and a lily pool lead you towards the entrance. As one enters the curiosity to explore takes you to different spaces marked with tropical plants and water bodies which distinctly divide the home into private and public areas.
The living room is a slice from the open space concept that accommodates seating, dining and a kitchen. This large space has a high wooden ceiling which adds the required warmth.
But the heart of the family belongs to the double height study cum lounge room where the couple spends most of their day leaving the chaos outside; this space also leads into the couple’s bedrooms. A steel and wood staircase leads up to their daughter’s room which overlooks the central study. This space opens onto a terrace which then leads down directly to the garden.
Each bedroom opens further onto private verandahs and decks. All the bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms with adjoining courtyards so that the feel of a garden home is not lost for an instant.
When nature and concrete are in sync the composition is always special. It’s the right balance of gardens, exotic plants and water bodies juxtaposed with exposed brick, wood and stone that binds the house.
The attached garden not only adds character to the bathroom making the space look bigger but also brings the outside in effortlessly.
The interiors are understated and yet charming with neutral colours dominating the spaces. Adding character to the interiors are various artefacts which define the experiences of the owners many travels. This includes an antique Naga spice pounder that assumes a new avatar as part of the dining table.
With this project Narayan Moorthy and his team have employed the organic language of architecture where structures evolve by a narrative of sustainable and ecological functionality while embracing aesthetic sensibilities and contemporary comforts.
Text By Meghna R Kothari
Photographs Courtesy Eyepiece Photography
Contact
email: kumarmoorthy@gmail.com
web: www.kumarmoorthy.com
