Reviving Classical Architecture of Indian Subcontinent !
Minaret house, Noida is designed to capture and reinterpret the traditional elements to create a distinctive identity rooted in culture and traditions.
With the onset of globalization, there has been a great exchange of technology, knowledge, art and architecture and many other disciplines. In one way this has led to greater exposure and efficiency but at the very same time, it is also the reason behind the present state of mundane monotony. Across the globe, each region had its unique culture and traditions that were formed organically over a period of centuries that gave a distinct- unique character to the people of that particular region.
With the growing exchange of information, we are constantly losing out on this distinctiveness and are choosing to create a large over-arching generic character. Architecture too went through this process of globalization and pretty much all major centers across the globe now follow a similar building standard.
Project Details
Project : Minaret House
Location : Noida
Area : 8500 sqft
Team
Design : Manisha , Shubh , Tejeshwi
Structure : EBI India
Minaret House is a residential project located in Jaypee Wishtown, Noida. This individual residence as a part of a greater exploration has tried to restore, renew and revitalize the lost wisdom of formal expressions that has been developed over centuries as an art of building. The process of regeneration in the ‘Minaret house’ through ecological and cultural means has somewhat tried to capture the essence of tradition and provide a base to imminent architecture.
In spite of being spread across three floors, the built form is fragmented and stepped to create large terraces adjoining all family areas to recapture the feeling of the ground connection. It facilitates the family to reconnect to the cultural way of always being in semi-outdoor spaces like courtyards, streets and allows them to use these spaces as an extension to the house.
The character of intimate family spaces like courtyards in traditional houses has been captured in the double height living area. All private areas of the house invariably connect both visually and audibly to this central space that ties the whole family. A large kitchen adjoining this living area further enhances its usage as the family gathering space.
Small intimate spaces with low ceiling heights, narrow entryways and small external windows are planned adjoining large family spaces and other public spaces for providing the requisite comfort , privacy and scale that exist in the traditional houses of Rajasthan. These small intimate spaces, varying in character and physical manifestation helps in retaining the feeling of intimacy at home.
A natural ventilation system has been implemented in the house with the use of a Minaret. The forced air circulation created by the Minaret lowers the indoor temperature phenomenally and helps in reducing energy loads. Wind towers have been in use for many centuries in various desert regions around the world. The Minaret (Wind Tower) has been integrated centrally with its exposed façade towards the south-west side. With this exposure the air heats up quickly inside the tower, thus forcing itself out and creating a continuous airflow inside the house. This has been used in combination with openings towards green terraces that surround the house and that towards the golf course. This creates a continuously self-existing cycle of cool and fresh air from the greens to enter in the house and ultimately pushed upwards from the wind tower. This forced air circulation created by the Minaret lowers the indoor temperature phenomenally and helps in reducing energy loads.
