Treehouse

Treehouse

TREEHOUSE

Pg Associates

ARCHITECTS
Pg Associates

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Srikrishnan

CONSULTANTS
Metis Structures

ENGINEERING
Pg Associates

DESIGN TEAM
Pandurangan

MANUFACTURERS
Legrand, Wienerberger, Amazon, Asian Paints, Kmb, Kajaria Ceramics, Parryware, Pidilite, Smarteefi, Syska, Https://www.asianpaints.com/ Premium Emulsion Kajaria Ceramics Https://www.kajariaceramics.com/ Duratech Smarteefi Https://www.smarteefi.com/ Wifi Smart Switch Legrand Https://www.legrand.co.in/ Rtr Swiches Amazon Https://www.amazon.com/ Amazon Eco Dot 2 Syska Https://syska.co.in/ Smart Bulb Pidilite Http://www.pidilite.com/our-brands/dr-fixit/ Dr.fixit

TEXT
Prashant Chavan, Noora Ismath

PHOTOGRAPHS
Srikrishnan

AREA
2000 Ft²

YEAR
2019

LOCATION
Coimbatore, India

CATEGORY
Houses

English description provided by architect.

Trees are some strongholds of nature, symbol of growth, strength, and nurture.

Treehouse
Treehouse

Owing to this, it has always found constant interpretation through art and design since ancient times. It is no surprise to see its influence in architecture too.

Located in the scenic town of Coimbatore in the state of Tamil Nadu, India, the project “Treehouse” serves as a conjunction and response to its immediate surroundings and conditions.

Treehouse
Treehouse

It serves as a beautiful connection between nature and manufactured, showcasing the world how the two can perfectly coexist in harmony.

Seated perfectly in a vibrant residential area filled with lush greenery and civic activities, the Treehouse is a conglomeration of old and new, by retaining the old existing structure and infusing it with the new building and features.

Treehouse
Treehouse

CONCEPT

An old mango tree at the center of the site proved to be a decisive factor for the conceptualization and design of the new house.

In a careful move to preserve the mango tree along with the existing structure, a simple plan that combined various ideas into one singularity has been devised; nature and man-made, former and newborn.

Treehouse
Treehouse

It also comprehends the diverse programmatic concerns of its inhabitants; formal and informal, transparency and privacy, individual and collective.

DESIGN

The layout of the house is conditioned by the centrally located tree encompassed by a garden space that splits the site into two halves. The double-height space has a pergola roofing which allows for radiant summer light to flow through it.

Treehouse
Treehouse

The two halves of the house are connected by a bridge on the first floor which also provides for picturesque views.

While from the outside, the house resonates as a strong terrain feature with its singular block; the interior has its fair share of interconnected and free-flowing spaces; rendering it as a porous nature.

Treehouse
Treehouse

It has been designed in such a way that the interactive spaces flow intermittently from one to another while maintaining a sense of privacy.

MATERIALS

The catalogue of materials used which involve exposed Porotherm blocks, polished concrete, natural stones, and jali screens render the house a rustic and warm outlook.

Not to forget, it doubles up to make the building environmentally friendly. Using these materials in its modernity also makes for a clever contrast of the newly built structure from the old existing one.

Treehouse
Treehouse

While the old one is given a makeover with white, the new structure shimmers in red, giving a sense of rawness. The exposed brick construction used in walls provides for an uninhibited connection between the interior and exterior while also conveying a rich earthy feel to the architecture.

The polished concrete on the other end serves to complement the earthy red blocks with the jali breaking the monotony.

The roofing serves as a modern interpretation of the ‘Madras terrace roofing’ which is prevalent in the region.

The idea of Madras terrace has been retained but the materials are replaced with Porotherm blocks and steel sections.

Treehouse
Treehouse

INTERIORS

To maintain a pleasant micro-climate; the inner garden, the Porotherm blocks for roofing, and walls are used. Having calculated openings on all 4 sides of the building maintains cross ventilation.

Porotherm blocks, which by nature of the air gaps present within, provide for perfect insulation from the harsh heat of tropical weather making the interior cool. The interior of the house is dictated by simplicity and conventionality.

Treehouse
Treehouse

Adorned with classical décor items, traditional furniture made from mango wood, and Jali, the ambiance is further complemented by harnessing natural lighting to create experiences and simple spaces the family can identify with and cherish.


Treehouse
Ground Floor Plan
Treehouse
First Floor Plan


Treehouse
Section 01
Treehouse
Section 02


Treehouse
Elevation 01
Treehouse
Elevation 02


Treehouse
Isometric View 01
Treehouse
Isometric View 02
Treehouse
Detail