AR House Lecture Notes

Introduction

Location: Edge of Muzaffaranagar city, upscale neighborhood
Inhabitants: Wonderful couple, two young sons, charming grandmother
Objective: Create a beautiful and secure home with open areas and indoor-outdoor connections

City Context: Muzaffaragar city adjacent to the national highway, ~150 kilometers from Delhi
Client Requirements: 6 bedrooms across 2 floors, major concern on security
Initial Design Concept:
- Inward-looking house with its own world within the periphery
- Lots of open areas, green spaces, and sit-out areas

Plot Location: ~1.5 km from highway, Surrendra Nagar Society
Plot Description: Two adjacent 400 sq yd plots
Design Plan: Segregate private spaces with common spaces through a vertical axis
- Central Courtyard: Double-height tree connecting floors
- Mandir Courtyard: Extends from central courtyard, with temple in the center

Facade Design:
- Unique and soulful, breaks monotony of two solid blocks
- Northeastern block has an intricate ‘jally’/mesh made of laser-cut MS sheet
Foyer: Along green buffer, small to enhance sense of grandness inside
Drawing Room: Adjacent to Mandir courtyard, leads to passage overlooking courtyards
Mandir Courtyard: Evident light and shadow play, overlooks dining terrace
Kitchen: Overlooks central courtyard, pastel colors with lacquered glass backsplash

Family Lounge: Double-height space along central courtyard
- Sunlight enriches space texture
- Lounge adjacent to central courtyard with concrete grey textured wall
Bedrooms: Revolve around family lounge, each with private courtyards
- Master Bedroom Subdivisions: Study area, bedded area, lounge area with green courtyard
Staircase Design: Contemporary, light feel, cantilevered from both walls; MS framework with wood wrapped steps

Continuation: Buffer zones from ground floor maintained
- Glass box encapsulates courtyard running from ground to top floors
- Northeast zoned light, southwest for bedrooms
Terraces: Overlook Mandir courtyard and neem tree
- Terraces connected to multipurpose room and dining room
- Private terrace framed by grey paneling

Ventilation and Daylight: Properly oriented fenestrations aid in ventilation, daylight penetration
Microclimate Maintenance: Achieved cost-effectively without expensive materials

House Design: Breeds life through integration of open and built areas, maintaining a positive microclimate