ARCHITECTURAL FOCUS in its construction were procured within a 100 km radius . Every part of the house is naturally ventilated , with the courtyard contributing to passive cooling .
The interior palette is predominantly neutral in shades of grey , with accents in the form of art and furniture . 80 % of the furniture was custom made on site by local contract carpenters , and is constructed of Indowud , a rice husk ecofriendly wood substitute . Lime plaster from local craftsman is used on all of the walls , reducing cement usage to a minimum .
In most areas of the house , the ceiling is left as exposed concrete . A small prayer room forms a focal point along the circulation spine . This room , called a ‘ pooja room ’, is a small temple within the house , and a quintessential part of most Indian homes . As all Hindu temples have a bell at the entrance , the prayer room in the house is adorned with a series of small bells in concentric circles of diminishing height , forming a dome shape echoing the traditional temple .
There are varying degrees of transparency throughout the inner spaces , with each of the living , lounge , dining , outdoor , and circulation spaces seamlessly integrated . Spaces are visible to an extent allowing for a more spatial experience , and yet simultaneously private . At night , the house lights up in parts , displaying its solid and perforated volumes juxtaposed together in a sculptural way . The design of the house , with its courtyard , screens , indirect natural light , and complete natural ventilation , makes it extremely energy efficient .
Contextual to the site location and the climate of the region , Zen Spaces is a home offering different experiences in each of its parts , seamlessly interspersed with nature .
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