Fact File
Location: Kerala
Size: 180 sq m
Principal Architect: Vinu Daniel
Photography by: Jino Sam, Siddharthan, Chirantan Khastgir, Akash Sharma and Sagar Kudtarkar
Shikhara House by Wallmakers is a sustainable residence that exemplifies an experimental response to context. Set against one of the silent hilltops of Trivandrum, the site was located at the highest point in that particular part of the woods. The client loved to travel and planned frequent escapades to distant lands all over the country. The Himalayas had always caught his attention and intrigued him the most, and he was lucky that his abode would be just as reclusive, set on the lovely hilltop. However, because this location faces west, one must raise their hand to shield their eyes from the harsh west sun. That “hand” was re-imagined as a slanting wall on the site, giving birth to the concept of conceiving the residence as “Shikhara” (peak). The overall experience of living in this residence can indeed be compared to that of being in the mountains: brimming with nature but also formidable, welcoming but reclusive, and above all, a quiet viewpoint to view the countryside.
The wall, brutal in appearance but a shade from the harsh heat and direct sunlight, was to be made from materials procured from the land, this being a prerogative of Wallmakers as we exclusively indulge in sustainable building practices. The soil procured by excavating the rainwater harvesting tank and the basement floor presented an opportunity in the guise of a problem. The rocky terrain filled with pebbles and debris was deemed unsuitable for making mud bricks. Therefore, the patented technique of a “shuttered debris wall” was incorporated. Thus, the slanting waste material wall and the view to withhold were born. Since the major length of the building ran along the west side as a solid wall with small openings, a lack of cross ventilation posed a new problem. After foraging in the market, the answer rose in the form of aluminium coin sheets perforated to let in light and air. A rhythmic, undulating pattern was worked out so that this façade doubled up to become the staircase and answered the security concerns.
Expounding on the materials used in construction, we began with the “shuttered debris wall”—this wall construction technique involves mixing cement, soil, and waste materials of various sizes (coarse aggregate) ranging from 10mm to 70mm skilfully to form a strong wall (5.2 MPa compressive strength). What is “waste”? Waste can be classified as anything that was produced, used, and then discarded from its original function. While the work and construction processes result in the production of a lot of scraps, we believe in not being deterred by this demon but building with it instead. Waste wood—cut wooden scrap pieces have been joined to make furniture like beds, kitchen cabinets, doors, etc. Aluminium coin sheets—the perforated sheets of aluminium act as a semi-transparent screen, allowing us to have a clearer view of the exterior. Cement boards—the interior bridge and the staircase treads are made from cement fibre board with a polished finish. Oxide—the floor and selected walls have been finished with grey and white oxides.
