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A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold

Architecture

2024

Photographer : Atik Bheda

Akkalkot, a town in the Solapur district of Maharashtra, is characterized by its dense urban neighbourhoods. The residence sits on a compact 825-square-foot plot, measuring just 25 feet by 33 feet. These neighbourhoods feature traditional vernacular houses built using exposed black basalt stone and bricks. These homes often incorporate central open-to-sky courtyards and thick common walls that provide insulation from the harsh climate. Their design draws direct inspiration from this local architectural vernacular.

This house, situated within its traditional historical context, reconnects the client with cherished memories from their childhood, fulfilling the needs of the present day. Clients desired to recreate the experience and memories of their old traditional open-air courtyard house. They wanted the common areas like seating, eating, and cooking to have fewer walls and open directly onto the courtyards. This would allow everyday family activities, social interactions, and gatherings to take place in the open-air setting. The context of the house being in an older neighbourhood meant the clients' many relatives and friends who lived nearby could be easily entertained in this home.

The building seamlessly integrates into Akkalkot's historic old town. Given the harsh summers reaching 45-47°C, they incorporated climate-responsive techniques. Perforated brick screens and planter buffers wrap the house, mitigating intense heat and blocking direct sunlight from the main areas.

Akkalkot,Maharashtra,India

Architects : A Threshold
Area : 2250 sq. ft.
Year : 2024
Website : https://www.instagram.com/a_threshold_/

Aerial view of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


Aerial view of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


Exterior view of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


Entry of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


View from living room of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold

The house's materiality and contextual design make it seem seamlessly integrated with the neighbouring historic structures. Access is limited to a narrow pedestrian path, further enhancing the home's harmonious blend with its surroundings. Their design approach aims to respectfully and sensitively respond to the strong contextual character of the immediate environment.

The living, dining and kitchen are more open facing the landscape courtyard covered with skylight, which draws the natural light throughout the house, because of the dense neighbourhood surroundings. The open living, dining, and kitchen areas face the landscape courtyard, which is covered by a skylight. This allows natural light to permeate throughout the house, compensating for the dense surrounding neighbourhood.

The sleek, teak-clad metal staircase connects the house to the first floor, which contains two bedrooms - one to the southeast and one to the southwest. Both bedrooms face south, with a perforated brick screen and landscaping serving as a buffer from the harsh southern sun while also providing privacy from the neighbouring houses in close proximity.

The exposed brick perforated screen creates a unique, green façade that is a climate-responsive, functional design solution for the harsh regional climate. This breathable façade attracts birds, squirrels, butterflies, and other wildlife, adding visual interest and character from the outside.


Kitchen of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


Kitchen to Staircase View of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


Staircase to Courtyard view of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


Courtyard of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


First floor view of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


Corridor of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold

A spiral staircase rises from a small family area, connecting it to a second-floor garden and a master bedroom. The master bedroom features a small clerestory roof that draws natural light from all four sides, creating a shaft for air to circulate throughout the house. The bedrooms feature floor-to-ceiling louvered teak wood shuttered windows and doors that visually connect them to the internal courtyards. These operable louvered shutters draw cool breezes from the courtyards into the bedrooms, increasing cross-ventilation throughout the house and keeping the internal microclimate cool. Additionally, the teak finish adds warmth to the overall house design.


Skylight to corridor space of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


Bedroom of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


Bedroom of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


Passage to bedroom of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


Bedroom 2 of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


Sitout of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold

The material palette is intentionally minimal, featuring salvaged and refurbished teak-finished windows from the client's previous home, mirror-finished Kota stone flooring, exposed concrete ceilings, and an exposed brick perforated screen along the sides. The exposed brick-perforated screen, featuring built-in planters, serves as a buffer against the harsh southern sun. This multifunctional design helps maintain a cool microclimate within the home throughout the year.

By reusing black basalt stone from the client's former home, and incorporating exposed brick walls and screens, the design reflects the client's nostalgic childhood memories. This materiality also blends seamlessly with the neighboring vernacular architecture, paying homage to the past.


Below are few advantages of this brick screen:

1. Lowering surface temperatures through the process of evaporative cooling.
2. Cooling the local air temperature.
3. Purifying the air, promoting cleaner and fresher surroundings.
4. Assisting in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
5. Absorbing and diminishing noise levels.
6. Providing visual screening, creating a sense of privacy and tranquillity for both residents and passersby.
7. Enabling occupants and passersby to observe and experience seasonal changes, fostering a deeper connection with nature and maintain the bio-diversity 
attracting many birds, butterflies etc. 


Aerial view of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


Ground Floor Plan of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


First Floor Plan of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


Second Floor Plan of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


Section 1 of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


Section 2 of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold


Section 3 of A Dialogue with the Past House by A Threshold



Tags
house
architecture
interior design
residential architecture
residential interiors
2024
2000 to 3000 sq.ft
india
maharashtra
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