Perched atop a hill, overlooking the river, this house embraces its perfect natural setting, capturing the cool evening breeze and offering an endless panorama. The fundamental idea behind the dwelling is to serve as a shelter within this scenic environment, encouraging residents to fully appreciate the natural ambiance. Prioritizing verandahs and terrace spaces over enclosed areas, the design invites relaxation in the lap of nature. The home's concept embodies subtlety, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness, employing unfinished aesthetics as an early commitment to the under-constructed.
Enclosed by uneven plastered spaces and exposed granite walls, the house frames its private inner and transparent areas with a similarly unfinished roof structure, featuring GI frames and clay tile roofing. The raw finished interiors boast bare cement flooring adorned with brightly colored tiles, wooden open joints, and finishes, creating a rustic and under-constructed ambiance that seamlessly extends focus towards the exterior.
Ample natural light floods the interior spaces, strategically channeled through horizontal openings on the west side for dramatic lighting effects. A mix of glass and wooden louvers in the windows controls lighting, while extensive openings facilitate natural ventilation, making the most of the riverside breeze. The roof design, featuring GI box sections with double-layered clay tile roofing, aids in natural ventilation and reduces heat intake during the day.
Embracing the monsoon season, the house channels rainwater towards its middle, creating a natural waterfall that flows into a pond, strategically designed for maximum seepage and nourishing the groundwater table. The landscape, enriched with a vibrant range of tropical trees, was integrated from the construction's inception, with native, low-maintenance plants enhancing the surroundings. The entry, marked by a natural laterite mount for vehicular access, is zoned away from the home, while rough granite stone pavers and bamboo clusters create a welcoming pathway, emphasizing different textures and allowing rainwater seepage.