A MEDLEY OF PAVILIONS (Page 2)

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The vertical massing of the home is confined along the east-west axis, where the second floor pavilion comprising of the son's room has been lifted from the ground floor mass by a height of 5 metres to create an interstitial glass enclosed studio/library space with a panoramic view of the surroundings. The upper level mass of the son's room, more solid and rectangular in form punctured by a large glass fenestration in the front, appears to float from the ground mass, and yet is rooted by the double height steel columns which were designed to merge with the silver oak trees in the site. Modulation in the roof forms, from the detached inverted pitch above the son's bedroom mass to the lifted slopes of the master and living pavilions, allow an intrusion of light through the clerestory windows within those spaces which the architects feel "adds to identifiable and the experiential aspects of these pavilions." The partially suspended steel and wooden staircase forms the vertical connect through the floors.

The material palette consists largely of natural stone flooring, wood and exposed concrete. The spine wall finished in exposed concrete is extended to the entry forming a demarcation wall between the entry and the car park steel structure. The living room pavilion is also wrapped in an exposed concrete sheath lending a dynamic look to the contemporary structure, juxtaposing the white plastered surfaces, glass and steel materials. Elements such as the entrance water body fed by a sheet of cascading water from the studio viewing terrace, the glass encased bridge connecting the drawing room and the spine further enhance the architects' endeavor to provide a visual link to the surroundings and nature. "Elements such as the verandah, jaali screens, sloped roofs which form the vocabulary of a traditional house is recast to express the familiar yet new experience reflecting the changing conditions around." Sandeep explains of this house in conclusion.

 (Continues...)

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