HARVEE SCHOOL , COIMBATORE

 Quoting Frank Gehry - “Architecture and any art can transform a person even save someone. It can for children- for anyone. It still does for me.” 

Designing a school is always exciting and challenging at the same time, since it deals with the energy of children of different age groups, from nursery kids to adolescent teens. With age-specific physical and psychological needs comes a great responsibility in configuring spaces. Experiential layer plays a major role in this design, integrating spaces in school with relation to the way children have used and experienced spaces till now.

The school is designed in a way that it skillfully integrates the needs and curiosities that are to be met - to allow the young child to try and catch a ray of sunlight in their hands, for the older children to have space for studying alone or in a group with spaces for individual teaching also provided.

The access to the school is through an 'arched entry' with an inclined wall adjacent to it, accentuating the overall meticulously designed organic structure. The amphitheatre is fabricated in a curvilinear style along the span of the perforated wall in the east, which doubles as both prayer and gathering space. The entry leads to the courtyard, which is greeted by a flight of stairs sculpturally spiraling to the floors above. The classrooms are arranged along the periphery with arching or curved fenestrations that challenge archetype designs allowing ample sunlight into the classrooms in addition to the perforated wall to the east.The mud wall finish inside the classrooms,exposed brick and concrete with jali patterns in the elevation, add an earthy touch to the bright colours that are incorporated in the interiors of the building to cheer up the mood and to subjectively taper the otherwise voluminous structure. The flooring integrates materials such as dirty Kota, Kota, white marble and kadappa allowing for flowing patterns that are designed in the entry counting to the already existing organic composition. 

The upper floors, offset and project outwards, each along a different curve, adding layers to the organic fabric of the structure. The central court has an informal seating space, with varied levels of seating for the users, with the students being able to be monitored by the teachers. The introverted planning helps in provision of security with the central courtyard helping in facilitating a visual connection in the vertical aspect  to monitor the entire space.

RESHMI WEEKEND STAY, YERCAUD

Dr. Reshmi and Dr. Shivakumar's WEEKEND HOME at YERCAUD 

This weekend abode in Yercaud is designed for a Salem based doctor couple; Dr. Reshmi, a gynaecologist and Dr. Shivakumar, an Oncologist. We thank them for entrusting us with the project. 

Weekend getaway is all about relaxation and rejuvenation and this best describes this dwelling. With Yercaud's cool, foggy and pleasant climate being no secret, an addition to this habitat is a picturesque landscape. An alluring entrance path encompasses a series of stepping stones on a lily pond in the North to the pathway which ceases at the welcome pavilion.The scenic view laid out by the bamboo trees in the east and a water body in the North east is taken advantage of by providing a glazed wall commencing at welcome pavilion and extending till the fancy kitchen. The facade is fabricated in an interesting aspect by designing the slope angle of the roof to be more inclined. The able design team of MA aimed at an environmentally responsive design and hence the contour and existing trees were retained with the abode being designed in accordance with it. The usage of locally available stones in the construction not only adds to the sustainability factor but also to its affiliation with the region. This is further enhanced by providing spaces such as chat terrace and gazebo that capture the breathtaking views vindicating the phrase; bringing the outside, inside. In precise, this skillfully designed weekend getaway is a joyful escape from the hectic lifestyle that aims at relaxation and rejuvenation.

 

MR.ARUN SELVAGANAPATHY RESIDENCE AT ECR

A home is said to be composed of love, hope and dreams. Arun selvaganapathy's residence at Injambakkam stands true to this phrase.The client Mr.Arun Selvaganapathy previously based in U.S and his wife Gayathri Arun Selvaganapathy with their kids Lucky and Eshwar intend to live with their parents.

They wanted an exemplary house within the surrounding area. The spaces designed by our team amalgamated into the elevation that stood a strong statement to the overall structure standing merit to 

our team's goal of delivering a form that was futuristic and dynamic.The overall planning emphasized that it doesn't pose a danger to the existing vegetation. 

The foundation laid in the east corners were in accordance with the placement of trees in order to not disrupt the on-site vegetation.The huge setback space on the front is used as a multipurpose family space with integrated hardscape and softscape. The planning of the house encourages maximum connectivity with each and every space being interlinked with one another forming small pockets for gatherings at each floor level that is raised.The ground floor accommodates the family lounge, guest bedroom, kitchen and  mutram space near Amma's bedroom where the family can meet, interact and enjoy throughout the day.

The stairs from the Muttram then lead to the mezzanine floor that is designed as a viewing deck taking advantage of the stunning views of the pool and other areas of the house. The mezzanine then leads to the first floor that accommodates the home-office of the client, the master bedroom and bedroom of the kids. The personal office space separated from the master bedroom by a partition wall, apart from being his official arena, makes space for chit chats of the couple with levelled seating and flexible partition being provided. 

The bedrooms of the kids are provided with levelled seating that acts as their private getaway. The viewing deck area designed in between their bedrooms acts as a connecting element - a privatised space for them to interact. The visual transparency is introduced by double height spaces and a viewing deck that provides direct views to the pool and other areas of the house. By creating two distinct cubes that fabricate the sides of the residence, a strong statement of the solids amongst nature stood established. Over-all the residence was designed to reflect the client's character and alongside serve as an example of a structure that is avant-garde and affable.

 

PROPOSED RESIDENCE FOR Dr.KRISHNAMOORTHY AT SATHYAMANGALAM

Dr. Krishnamoorthy is a young, reputed doctor whose association with MA goes a long way. This esteemed journey with the client began when we were first approached for Dr. Krishnamoorthy's hospital where we worked in unison for his laboratory too. Him, approaching us for the project of his residence, authenticates his trust in us. This residence was a challenging project given the client's solid belief in Vastu but that didn't restrict us from exploring spaces both structural and form-wise. The facade stands testimony to the fluid-flow forms that were attempted and engineered with perfection.

The colour palette emits an earthy tinge which is elevated further by the greenery spread all wide. This 9000 sq.ft house accommodates a Muttram (courtyard), which is a free-flowing space that can be noted for the absence of columns allowing uninhibited circulation and it also allows ample sunlight inside the house, providing for the connection of the inhabitants with nature. The Pooja room of this household is one to catch sight of, with the light entering through the skylight escalating the sense of divinity adding to the experience of being inside a temple. The rooms are spacious and are planned in accordance with vastu connected by a lot of open courts in between adhering to the natural aura it radiates