The Courtyard House by Sanjay Puri Architects

The Courtyard House it was designed by Sanjay Puri Architects

The Courtyard House by Sanjay Puri Architects

“The layout is evocative in principle of traditional Indian courtyard houses that create a cooler environment within to battle the extreme heat of the climate. Each of the living spaces is oriented to capture the changing landscape on each side through deeply recessed openings that form transitory sheltered spaces between the inside and the outside while considerably reducing the heat gain to the internal spaces. In addition, most rooms open onto sheltered garden spaces with privacy which are created with grass covered earth berms, externally. This translates the internal courtyard space as an external courtyard space in a sense, creating cool external spaces. While most of the extensive requirements of the client are arranged around a large central courtyard, additional guest rooms are located along a smaller courtyard, both being linked through an open corridor. Each of the bathrooms and dressing areas too, open onto small landscaped external courtyards. Concrete was chosen for its accessibility from within the site that is a cement plant as well as for its thermal properties. The building is iconic and sculptural in appearance yet sensitive to its climate and adjoining surroundings. The internal courtyards and terraces are surrounded with large earth mounds which give privacy to the user and constant shade to the internal spaces.”