28/12/2020
“Weekend Home”
This house is the product of having very energetic and understanding client perfectly aligned wavelengths with architect, along with countless discussions on experimentation of materials and making it unique place which one would love to stay keeping the stress out of mind.
A reputed doctor based in Pune was looking for building a weekend home which offers eco friendly lifestyle. This plot having a beautiful context of hills on East side with existing Mahua plantation and View of Rajgad- Sinhgad range on the West side at far distance. Sun rise and Sun Set both can be enjoyed sitting at various locations like Terrace with Zhoola or Varandah with abutting landscape. A muddy approach road with lingering cattle adds to the context, giving the rural feel as you enter.
We have explored some features like IPS finished platforms, wooden windows in old style ventilator system, flooring of natural material like Kadappa, Kotah, & Jaisalmer and roofing in Mangalore tiles exposed from bottom. We tried to balance the vernacular architecture and modern lifestyle together, keeping the practical approach without disturbing the feel of the space. Most of the materials have lifelong beauty and require less maintenance.
When we started defining the requirements of the client, we realized that this place is not meant for just 2-4 people. House should offer enough area where people will come together to celebrate the life. On lower floor we decided to have one large room which can accommodate 20-25 people at a time, an adjoining functional kitchen-dining, one bedroom with attached toilet, caretaker’s room with an additional kitchen setup and a backyard for utility purpose.
On upper floor, we decided to have a multipurpose hall catering to 18-20 people at a time for small workshop or musical function, seminars / lectures etc. The hall has an adjoining terrace which can serve as an extension to this hall. Terrace on South east gives unobstructed view of hills on East and South West while sitting in Zhoola. Common hall has an access to common toilet and a changing/makeup room. Addition to this, there is one bedroom with an attached toilet.
This structure is an outcome of countless emotions of clients ‘wish-list’ and our experience put together in a craft. It is a testament to the wonder of joy and a celebration of life, rejuvenating bonds of love and crafting stories for generations to come.
PC : Atul Kanetkar