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Chhavi House - Desert House - Scale Magazine

The Desert Home

A unique design approach adapted to achieve a balance between functionality, aesthetics, context, climate, material, cost and time frame, Abraham John Architects create an oasis in the Thar Desert. By Aarti Mohan Chhavi House - Desert House - Scale MagazineChhavi House - Desert House - Scale Magazine

The challenge of designing a residential villa in Jodhpur was trifold: extreme climate, small footprint and a large project brief for the architects. The house also needed to be Vastu compliant – conforming with the ancient Indian design principles regarding space, sunlight, flow, and function.

The plot was restricted one within a society scheme, encumbered by the existing adjoining buildings along its compound walls on two sides, and two roads along its north and east sides. Hence, there was a need to create privacy, through the orientation of the views, screens, and courtyards, as well as through landscape design. The little gardens, decks, waterbodies, sculpture court, sky-lit balconies, and terrace gardens were all designed to enhance its spatial feel. Chhavi House - Desert House - Scale MagazineChhavi House - Desert House - Scale Magazine

The floating steps make an inviting entrance, the lighting and landscape add to the sense of arrival. As one walks towards the main door, one can pause on the bench and enjoy the soothing sounds of the water-cascade; the first impression created is that of space and privacy. The imposing wooden doors, double-height volumes, and projections are reminiscent of the many palacesforts, and temples set in the stark landscape of the Thar Desert.Chhavi House - Desert House - Scale Magazine

The architects conceptualized an open dining and living area. The living area is a double-height area with the ceiling continuing through from the inside to the outside; its L shaped openable windows connects to the courtyard and waterbody. The kitchen doors completely slide open onto the dining room as per the occasion. The dining, kitchen, living, and garden form a public area that looks very different at night, with mood lighting and a waterbody, landscape and a beautiful, authentic and traditional wooden sculpture.Chhavi House - Desert House - Scale Magazine

In a city where temperatures routinely exceed 40 deg Celsius, the filigree screen is both functional (protects from the sun and offers some privacy) and aesthetic, a reminder of the traditional jallis of the region. It looks spectacular at night, and during the day it cuts down the heat and glare while reflecting on the windows. From the first landing you get a feel of the double-height, of the expanse and a new angle to the screen which gives the villa its character: combines the past (through the use of jallis) with a feeling of modern, clean lines.

The two ground floor bedrooms display concealed doors to the attached bathrooms, for a clean look. One of the bedrooms opens onto a deck and garden, while the other has a sky-lit private deck to augment its sense of space.Chhavi House - Alan Abraham - Scale Magazine

The two bedrooms on the first floor have a common landing (box look hovering over the dining room). The master suite is complete with a large bedroom with two seating areas; there is a sky lit green area with a cozy bench seating, a dressing area, and a large spa-like bathroom; another seating area overlooks the private terrace that invites lots of birds and is meant for relaxed mornings. The temple is a projecting mass over the courtyard, the screen filtering light and achieving the required privacy. The media room on the 2nd floor spills onto a big family terrace; there is a pantry looking onto another terrace, a bathroom, and a big lobby. A full-height sliding door can turn the media room even bigger, by taking in the lobby. Accommodated within are parking areas on the ground floor as well as naturally lit office and utility spaces in the basement.Chhavi House - Alan Abraham - Scale Magazine

Local Jodhpur stone was used on the entry steps, water bodies, and compound walls. The outdoor textured stone plaster finish matches the color of Jodhpur stone and is used on some of the indoor surfaces as well, to add to the overall outdoor feel and look.

The firm’s design approach is to re-connect architecture with nature, make optimum use of space, natural materials, lighting and landscape to reinvent and transform living environments and urban spaces.

Project Details

Project name: Chhavi House

Architect’s Firm: Abraham John Architects

Website: www.abrahamjohnarchitects.com

Contact e-mail: mail@abrahamjohnarchitects.com

Project Location: Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Completion Year: 2018

Gross Built Area: 710 sqm

Plot Area: 280 sqm

Design Team:  Abraham John, Alan Abraham, Anca Florescu, Niranjan Fulsundar, Prachi Donde, Neha Gupta

Client:  Praveen Sankhla

Photo credits: Alan Abraham

Photographer’s website: http://www.alanabraham.com/

Chhavi House - Alan Abraham - Scale MagazineChhavi House - Alan Abraham - Scale MagazineChhavi House - Alan Abraham - Scale MagazineChhavi House - Alan Abraham - Scale MagazineChhavi House - Alan Abraham - Scale MagazineChhavi House - Alan Abraham - Scale Magazine