Mr. Raghunathan residence at vallam
A Beautiful regional traditionalism infused modern house for Mr. Raghunathan & family at Vallam, Thanjavur, a town known for its temple architecture and its locally used construction materials, this city is the cradle for many arts and crafts over the years.
The roof of the house is a rendition of the vaulted construction of the Cholas and Maratha kings, Mostly in South Indian Temples. It's a predominant feature. The client’s respect for tradition equals our own and that healthy bond made these unique features possible.
The use of local materials such as stone, exposed brick, laterite, and other materials helps in reducing the cost of construction and makes the buildings more responsive to the climate, hence giving us a better atmosphere within the house.
The pleasant entry of the house is simple and functional. It welcomes us to an entry court where large gatherings happen. The gathering spaces are provided with built in seating features inspired from traditional tamil architecture. The courtyards in the house are designed for gathering and talking, keeping a continuous bond within the family as the good old times. The house features a double-height courtyard which gives a divine feel to the entire living. The skylight is positioned in such a manner that it does not invade the privacy within the house, yet illuminates all the spaces inside.
The ground floor uses random rubble stone walls. It is to show how we prefer to use the locally available materials in different and unique ways for each house depending on the availability of the material. In this case, the material is available within a 60km radius for the house which makes it convenient and feasible for construction.
The freedom from the clients always helps in elevating any design and this is no less. We have come to understand the family’s interests in tradition which helped us in creating a design fusing culture and Architecture into one and that benefits the house as a whole.
We conclude with the message, "Respect the tradition and culture of a house the same way we respect the culture and tradition of religion and various other things to bring out the best in your home."
