Vasuki Rajagopal Residence at Chennai by Murali Architects

This “VILLA” at Manapakkam is formed by simple planar geometry and varying levels combining office with a residence.The residence is designed for a family of five, giving a contemporary look. The clarity were the paramount for the design mass and good integration with the landscape. Entering the house is the foyer with the flight of steps taking to the raised living. The huge living, dining with double heights extends from front to the rear surrounded by landscape and the shallow pool. A Central court yard in the house increases the proxemity of the building with nature, which allows good amount of natural light into the spaces . The double height spaces links the various spaces thereby creating an united entity. The yoga room located at the first level amidst the green landscape and bamboo pergola gives divine feel to the space. We also had a challenging job with the clients wish list including a wind catcher, usage of natural material for the skylights and also to have lot of natural wind movement inside the house. Even the basement floor, though it does not have an opening to the outside, it is lit by the central light court and stay pretty cool too for the same reason, therefore minimalizing the use of artificial lighting and resources. Venturi effect is applied blowing the hot air upwards in the court yard, with a continuous air draft. The toilets in this residence has green courts. Effective use of Natural materials is one of the reason that makes the building more energy efficient. Bamboo pergolas in the terrace giving a pattern of shadows in the terrace, creates a pleasant feel. red oxide cement flooring, clay tiles in terrace flooring, wooden floor are majorly found. The rooms are naturally ventilated in a good manner through cross ventilation. Solar panels are incorporated, through which solar energy can be well captured thereby reducing the artificial power consumption. Car drive is designed with a regular pattern of grass and stone paving therefore allowing water percolation through the which recharges the ground water table regularly. The clear defined masses and a well delineated geometry of the building gives it a grand façade and an effective system for low building maintenance too. Status: Built Location: Chennai, IN My Role: Chief Architect