Ramesh Residence, Palavakkam, Chennai
The main concept of “The Millennial House” - a residence accommodating three generations, their needs, aspirations and dreams and come up with architecture that is timeless. The site is located in a tightly packed urban neighbourhood of Chennai near the sea. Both the sides of the site have buildings and there is a park on the backside. Accommodating the needs of three generations in a tightly packed dense neighbourhood and very limited ventilation proved to be major design challenges. The architectural expression of how the building is to be conceived was also a challenge. To accommodate the three different generations in such a space, concepts of traditional house is incorporated into a modern context fulfilling all their preferences.
The traditional elements of houses such as thinnai, machi, anganum, and kollapuram were modernised into the front parking which is used as a multi-purpose space, youth interaction space, double height courtyards and rear side swimming pool. The space above the car parking - a 20’ cantilever acts as the youth space. The youth space is a lively hangout spot for the young people inside the house. Fresh cool air flows from the front and back sides of the house and the used hot air escapes from the top of the house through the courtyards - thus creating Venturi effect, through which sufficient ventilation is achieved. The courtyards also act as a source of natural lighting throughout the day. The closed interior swimming pool acts as a private relaxing space helping the residents relax after work.The youth space contains a kund space with multiple seatings for many people which is the interaction space for the young people. It is also connected with the entrance which helps their friends to enter the house without disturbing the other people in the house. All the major spaces of the house overlook the courtyard which are also congregating space with seatings for multiple age people to interact.
The glass flooring in the first floor acts as a transitional space. When seen from below this space looks like a double height space while actually it is used as a floor. The dynamic form of the front elevation and the yellow pigmented concrete is perceived to bridge the time gap and create a structure that is timeless.
This house fosters interaction between the family members and enhances joint family living through the various social spaces like courtyards, thinnai space, kund space and terrace garden with seating. In this modern era of nuclear families, this house encourages joint family living.
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