Fact File
Location: Rajasthan
Size: 710 sq m
Principal Architects: Alan Abraham, and Abraham John
Photographs courtesy: Alan Abraham
Chhavi House by Abraham John Architects is not only exquisitely composed but also a meticulously crafted response to its context. The challenge of designing a residential villa in Jodhpur was trifold: an extreme climate, a small footprint, and a descriptive project brief. The house also needed to be Vaastu-compliant, conforming with the ancient Indian design principles regarding space, sunlight, flow, and function. The plot was restricted due to a society scheme, encumbered by the existing adjoining buildings along its compound walls on two sides and two roads along its north and east sides. Hence, there was a need to create privacy through the orientation of the views, screens, courtyards, and landscape design. Small landscape pockets were designed with decks, waterbodies, sculpture courts, skylit balconies, and terrace gardens to enhance the overall spatial feel. From the first landing, you get a sense of the villa’s double height, expanse, and a new angle to the screen, which give it its personality: it combines the past (jaalis) with a feeling of modern, clean lines.
The floating steps make an inviting entrance, and the lighting and landscape add to the sense of arrival. As one walks towards the main door, one can pause on the bench and enjoy the soothing sounds of the cascade. The first impression created is that of space and privacy. The imposing wooden doors, double-height volumes, and projections are reminiscent of the many palaces, forts, and temples set in the stark landscape of the Thar Desert. The kitchen doors slide open into the dining room, as per the occasion. The dining, kitchen, living, and garden spaces form a public area that looks very different at night, with mood lighting, a waterbody, a landscape, and a beautiful, authentic, and traditional wooden sculpture. In a city where temperatures routinely exceed 40 degrees Celsius, the filigree screen is both functional (it protects from the sun and offers some privacy) and aesthetic, a reminder of the traditional jaalis of the region. It looks spectacular at night, and during the day, it cuts down on heat and glare while reflecting on the windows.
The two bedrooms on the first floor have a common landing (box-like and hovering over the dining room). The master suite is complete with a large bedroom with two seating areas; there is a skylit green area with cosy bench seating, a dressing area, and a large spa-like bathroom; another seating area overlooks the private terrace that invites lots of birds and is meant for relaxed mornings. The temple is a projecting mass over the courtyard, with the screen filtering light and achieving the required privacy. The media room on the second floor spills onto a big family terrace; there is a pantry looking onto another terrace, a bathroom, and a big lobby. A full-height sliding door can enlarge the media room further by taking in the lobby. Within are parking areas on the ground floor and naturally-lit offices and utility spaces in the basement. Local Jodhpur stone was used on the entry steps, water bodies, and compound walls. The outdoor textured stone plaster finish matches the colour of Jodhpur stone and is used on some indoor surfaces. For a clean look, the two ground-floor bedrooms have concealed doors that lead to the attached bathrooms. One of the bedrooms opens onto a deck and garden, while the other has a skylit private deck to augment its sense of space.
