The Design brief was to create a multi-utility space accommodating the activities like yoga, chantings and lodgings with the basic kitchen and utilitarian spaces.
The construction was taken care of in two phases. The first phase was focused on constructing a convention space confining 30 to 40 wards. The roof was done as a shallow vault to create a reverberating space to chant from a vantage point. The ventilation was done in a way such that the easterly winds enter from a lower level into the room and the stacks up and vents out through the western direction. The plot measures of 40’ in width and 60’ in depth located at the foothills of Coimbatore west .
Planning
The planning was very simple- on a rectilinear plot was placed a rectangular mass on the western side with the short side facing the road and the longer side facing west . Due to the exposed side facing west we had to use materials with higher “u” values and lesser “R” values. The ideal choice was to go with Porotherm blocks measuring about 16” x 8” x 8” in its size. It is larger in size but light in weight which resulted in faster construction phases yet while finishing it becomes slow due to the brittleness.
Aspects
- Filler Slabs
- North lighting
- Stack effects
- Contextual Acoustics
- Thermal Efficiency
- Carbon negative Possibilities
Images
Project Facts
Year Built: 2020-2022
Duration of project: 20 months
Plot Area: 2400 sqft
Built up: 2600 sqft
Principal Architects: Sabarish Thirumurthy , Tamilselvan
Team Design Credits: Gokul G.S , Sanjay Kand
Material Palette of the project: Porotherm Blocks, Kota stones, Mandagan Terracotta Tiles, Hurudi Filler Blocks
Photograph Courtesy: Robin Shibu rs
