The word D E G R E E means at an angle, and this house near pune responds to the sloping character of the plot to achieve maximum natural light and ventilation reducing the burden on artificial source of energy (electricity).
The house sits on a 1.5 acres sloping plot with slope towards the west side and scenic views on all the sides. It has four bedrooms, Living, kitchen, dining, and courtyards. In order to preserve the site’s natural beauty, the building follows the hill slope: this also means that each room gets its own private verandah / terrace and an unobstructed view of valley on the west.
The location of the house was unanimously decided to be at the highest point of the plot so as to enjoy maximum view. The only constraint while designing was the high winds. This situation was similar to the buildings facing the sea, where people shut off all the windows to protect themselves from the continuous sea wind and in turn use air conditioners for ventilation, burdening the artificial energy sources. This house is a perfect solution to this issue.
The house draws natural wind into to a shaft, which is cooled by the way of spraying water inside it. This process cools the air coming inside and increases the air density. This cooled dense air settles to the bottom of the shaft and is forced inside the underground air ducts opening into the rooms.
Exhaust fans are provided to the rooms at the leeward side which can be operated whenever the outside wind pressure is low. The bedrooms to which this system is provided are consciously located on the north side, this shields off southern heat and enhances the cooling effect.
We were successfully able to achieve a difference of 6 – 7 degrees than the outside temperature during the harsh summers. This reduces the use of artificial energy (Electricity) throughout the year.
Appropriate sizes of openings (Windows , Glass doors, Skylights) and their appropriate location helps in getting sufficient natural light inside the rooms. The location of well ventilated skylights helps in getting natural light and also helps in evacuating the hot gases trapped inside, thus making way for fresh air to enter inside.
