As proud south Indians, our clients had glimpses of their childhood memories of ancestral homes to share with us as a reference to design a modern weekend home for them. Elements like internal courtyards, clay tiled low roofs and vibrant colors were the impressionable memories they carried with them. To translate these ideas into a modern house with modern conveniences for the family and their near and dear ones was an exciting challenge for us.
Project Name: Jalihal House
Studio Name: M+P Architects Collaborative
Plot area: 5700 sq.ft.
Built Up Area: 1800 sq.ft.
Date: February 15, 2023
Location: Shirval, Satara
Photography Credits: M+P Architects Collaborative
The other strong reference for us was the context. The plot of land faces a lake and has views of fields around and hills in the distance. The external views were as important as the internal views and that made us create a central open space which other spaces overlook. More traditional elements like wood carved doors, columns and windows from old south Indian houses were used not just as visual elements, but true to their intended use as bedroom doors or as load bearing members. Patterned Athangudi tiles were used with the requisite polishing and oiling techniques.
Two stone walls within the side setbacks contain the extent of the house. The entrance patio is taken to the east. It overlooks one half of the plot which was purposely left empty to provide them with a large open space as a foreground for tree plantation. The formal living room and terrace sitout was moved to the upper floor for a 360 degree view of the surroundings. It was moved towards the back for privacy such that the building does not feel too overwhelming when seen from the road. This divides the house in three bays-East bay: with the external entrance verandah with a fabricated roof supported by wood columns, informal living and dining space under the RCC slab of the roof sitout.
South bay: A low and load bearing exposed fly ash brick structure containing the kitchen, a bedroom and common toilet. Fabricated sloping roof with insulation and mangalore tiles above.
North Bay: Master bedroom with an attached toilet, utility area, in RCC frame and exposed fly ash and a staircase. This takes you to the formal living and terrace sit out above. The roof for which is also a fabricated roof with insulation and mangalore tiles on it.
All these spaces overlook the central courtyard which is lined with basalt stone. The courtyard is contained from the west side with the large stone wall giving some relief from the vastness of the views outside.
All the toilets were equipped with simple but modern plumbing and finished in plain coloured vitrified tiling and flooring. The Kitchen counters and tiles were also kept simple and elegant. Covered verandahs, open courtyards and open sit outs were finished with leather finished yellow kota stone and flame finished basalt stone. These finishes aid the form of the building to feel like it’s emerging from the surroundings while adding a distinct character reflecting the strong and vibrant personality of the users.
About Studio:
At the studio Meghana and Pooja work towards necessity, simplicity and beauty. Be it in the process of work or in the outcomes. They have been practicing for well over a decade and they are joined by young architects and interns from different parts of the country. They have a small office space which is convenient to approach by public transport from the city center. Using legal software and like to keep abreast with the technology of the times. They like to work intensely during studio hours and avoid working overtime.
The firm has always strived to interpret ecologically sound principles into lifestyle related feasible solutions. Anything in the realm of the built environment invites and challenges them. Their appreciation of the natural and unbuilt, manifests into a language of work that their clients have always lauded. They look forward to growing and taking up projects at varied scales with the same set of strong ethics that have been with them throughout.
