OH HO Residence

OH HO Residence is inspired by the ephemeral bliss experienced in a south Indian temple complex. The poetic moment of the setting sun visually diminishing the density of the stone, creating an intangible relationship with the material, was the driving force behind the project’s creation.

Project description

Background
The chapdi, a local and natural stone from Bangalore, Karnataka, is the cornerstone of the project. The stone, which can be made into slabs as thin as even 100 mm, has been eternal; yet, the dignity it has obtained for its aesthetic and structural properties remains under-explored. Stone has the least carbon footprint as a building material, making it the most versatile construction material since historical times. The traditional architecture of this region and its surroundings has reached a remarkable level of integrity and profundity by working with stone. In modern times, however, stones are often relegated to mundane functions like footpaths, drain covers, and compound/partition walls in villages. Chapdi, however, has become the protagonist of this project.

The design
We own the construction site, which measures 4,000 sq.ft and is situated within a picturesque neighbourhood abutting a national zoological park in Bangalore, India. The site, which was a quarry earlier, now spans 100 acres and is surrounded by a series of lakes, quarries, and other residential communities.

OH HO, designed as both a home and an office, challenges and pushes chapdi’s structural possibilities through its innovative, interlocking carpentry joinery-like approach, using stone in its purest form.

Set within a site of dimensions 80’x50′, the 36’x36′ building footprint is divided into nine modules of 12’x12′ (a dimension determined by the stone’s transportation limitations). We designed the site with a large front yard shaded by trees and a small backyard that allows soft, diffused light and air movement from the north. The south, east, and west sides have lesser setbacks and high gabion-type compound walls, built from recycled stone left over in the construction process, to provide privacy and enhance the mutual shading of the building’s primary walls from harsh direct solar radiation. It features large openings to bring in ample light and breeze yet maintains privacy and provides warmth when needed.

Bangalore boasts a pleasant summer under shade and a moderately cold winter. Our design, with layers of walls and roofs, is more effective in providing privacy, thermal comfort, and openness simultaneously. To combat the declining water availability in a city like Bangalore, we conceived the building to serve as a reservoir that collects rainwater momentarily and converts it into an aquatic, pond-like ecosystem before allowing the water to flow along the surface and collect it in the community lake.

We conceptualised the project so that there was no redundancy in the design and manifestation process, resulting in an architectural expression that embodies its integrity. We envisioned the house as a haven for us, a house that would address wellness at both psychological and physiological levels.

The project stands out for its usage of stone. It won the “Best use of Stone” category and was highly commended for houses in the rural/ coastal category at the World Architecture Festival 2024.

Architect Speaks

What is the inspiration behind using “stone” as the primary construction material?
It was a love affair between me and the stone that became a soulful experience. When sunlight hit the stone, I felt an ephemeral bliss. The stone was melting like gold, and its density disappeared. I was then reminded of “chapdi,” abundantly available in Karnataka. I felt it would be a fascinating building material, as it would reinvent tradition in a modern way.

How is the “sustainability” aspect of the project ascertained?
Sustainability is one of our core values. The stone is locally available within a 50 to 60 km radius of our construction site, which makes the project largely sustainable. The other aspect is that the stone does not need to be used as slabs; it can be cut into layers and used. Designing the structure using stone also called for minimal usage of cement, steel, and other materials, which increased the carbon footprint.

Can you walk us through the structural uniqueness of the project?
The idea was to lock the stone elements tight to ensure structural integrity. Stone did not require any binding material. To make the stone monolithic, we used lattices. For example, place a few flat plates and then put them together. The stone became monolithic, and a pile of adhesive grout was used to prevent water ingress. We created a base using lime and stone and an embankment out of stone. We then got the boulders and lines and then inserted the slabs. Only a minimum quantity of recycled steel was used.

About the architect

Ar. Senthil Kumar Doss, aka Skud, graduated from NIT_Trichy in 1999 and began his architectural career with an internship at the internationally renowned architect B.V. Doshi’s office in Ahmedabad. Senthil then worked with his mentor and architect Dominic Dube, where he got an opportunity to work on sustainable low-cost housing communities and various other residential and cultural projects. Senthil then established his own Play Architecture practice in Bangalore, India. Senthil later collaborated with Ar. Peter Rich, who conferred the title “Skud Vault” on him. Senthil has won several awards and accolades, including a double win at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal and the Aoyoma Design Forum award in Japan. Apart from practice, Senthil is an academician, researcher, and guest lecturer and conducts workshops at various architecture schools.

For more details, visit: https://playarchitecture.in/