A vernacular yet modern home, restored by cautiously
peeling off and patiently understanding its multiple layers is what this home
renovation in Udupi is all about. On analyzing this 70 year old residence, we
realized that over the years it had been modified and transformed drastically.
It had gone from being a vernacular courtyard house built with laterite, lime
and wood; to a conventional, closed-off, part-reinforced concrete structure.
The task at hand
was to determine the chronological order of its previous renovations and find a
point in time to which it could be restored. On carefully peeling off the
layers, we found laterite arches, old mud plaster, traditional wooden support
systems, false ceilings and other gems that we lovingly polished and restored.
Climatological factors along with the current context of
the house were kept in mind. The new screen of terracotta spools was added onto
the east-facing facade. This extended upwards to create a screen for the
terrace too, shielding it from the dust and noise of the busy road it now
faces.The roof was made sloping with a unique truss design, keeping in mind the
immense rains that Udupi receives. A transition space was created between the
entrance of the house and the old ‘jagli katte’ using the same language. We
like to call this detail ‘terracotta rain’.
A courtyard with a linear water body was added and the
facade detail now became the protective grill on the roof of the courtyard.
These two elements work in harmony with sunlight throughout the day creating
beautiful patterns on the aisle beside the courtyard. The living room is now
adjacent to the new courtyard, creating the illusion of a larger space. A
linear planter was also added along the windows of the bedroom to ensure
privacy.
The new layout of the residence has a beautiful transition
of spaces starting from the public ‘jagli katte’, to the formal living space
flowing into the courtyard and then into the informal living. The aisle by the
courtyard now leads the other two bedrooms, ensuring their privacy.
The language of the ceilings is one to cherish. The
existing wooden ceiling that was hidden away for over 25 years with cement
boards, was embraced and polished while the adjacent space was also adorned
with a false wooden ceiling to complement it. The old kitchen was transformed
into an informal living space by the
courtyard with an exposed concrete ceiling. The wood, greys and whites of the
ceilings create a perfect balance of colors, complementing the greens of the
courtyard. The rafters of the bedroom were also intricately adorned with brass
inlays.
These walls could talk and we tried our best to listen.
All things old were glorified, and all things new were reverently followed.
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