Sakurdi House

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Sep 17, 2021
2 min read

Updated: Feb 9

2021-2022

The design of this retirement home for a school teacher and his family in Sakurdi is a response to both the socio-cultural context of rehabilitation and the specific needs of the family. Situated on a linear plot, the house is organized around three distinct courtyards, each offering varying scales and levels of privacy. This arrangement addresses the need for personal spaces, communal interaction, and service functions, all while maintaining a strong connection to the community.

The front courtyard serves as a buffer between the home and the road, facilitating a public interface without compromising the family’s privacy. It allows for informal community engagement and functions, while preserving the intimate nature of the interior spaces. The central linear courtyard acts as a transitional space between the kitchen and living areas, offering light, air, and an opportunity for kitchen gardening. It is conceived as the social heart of the home and is designed to eventually merge with neighboring courtyards, fostering communal growth and interaction. A smaller rear courtyard serves as a more private service space, accommodating activities like washing and other household chores.

The upper floor features both a public and private terrace. The front terrace functions as a space for family gatherings and community interaction, while the rear terrace offers a secluded area for the couple’s private retreat. This dual-territory approach to the terraces ensures that both communal and intimate needs are met.

Built on a modest budget of 20-25 lakhs, the house employs a load-bearing structure with brick walls and RCC beams and slabs. The thermally insulated roof, using clay pots, provides passive cooling, essential for the region’s climate. The house’s adaptable lower floor, with multipurpose rooms, caters to the evolving needs of the family, allowing flexibility as their requirements change over time.

The construction process, carried out during the pandemic, saw the family take an active role in project management. Despite the challenges of working remotely, continuous communication through calls and WhatsApp ensured the project proceeded smoothly. The collaborative effort between the family, structural consultant Mr. Suhas Chande, and the architectural team was integral to realizing this project from a distance, demonstrating the resilience and commitment to creating a meaningful, sustainable home.

This design not only addresses the immediate needs of the family but also reflects a deeper cultural and social intention to reconnect with displaced communities and foster a sense of belonging and shared space.