DEGREE, A FARMHOUSE IN PUNE

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).

With the increasing demand of the electricity and the inability of the government to control and cater to these demands, it is very essential for us architects to look back in our past and research the ways of dealing with natural light and ventilation. In short, design buildings which are self sustainable and have less dependency on artificial energy sources.

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 it’s 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 wind pressure. 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 is the winner of AESA TESE Juries choice awards 2011.

The salient feature of the design which address the Ecological, environmental and economical issues are as follows:-

1) Natural Ventillation System ( Solar Passice concept) -

The house draws natural wind into to a wind cooling shaft 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. This air gushing inside the room and its velocity can be controlled by adjustable louvers.

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 prevents transfer of southern heat and enhances the cooling effect.

The detailed analysis report is attached indicating the data / assumptions prior to the design and the temperature results after execution. We are 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) through out the year.

2)    Natural Light :-

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. Thus no artificial lighting is required until the sun is there.

3)    Ceramic tile cladding on sloping roof:-

The sloping roof is cladded with ceramic tiles of light brown colour which help in less absorbtion of heat from the sunlight and thus enhance the cooling effect.

The sloping roof helps in easy collection of the rain water, which is stored in reservoir tank which is located at the lowest point of the site and is used for gardening. The excess water is used to charge the bore well and increase the ground water table.

4) Natural Stone cladding on external facades :-

More than 60% of the external facades are cladded with natural stone (6”thk.) over the 9” thk brick masonry. This increases the thickness of the walls and helps in reducing the ingress of heat enhancing the cooling effect.

5) Location of Water tanks :-

The U.G water tank is located at the highest contour of the site.  The O.H water tank is at a lower level. Thus the water supply is through gravitational force. Electricity is saved as pumping is not required to carry the water upto the O.H water tank. The water required for gardening is also drawn by the gravitational force thus saving electricity.