Page 90 - Designing Ways 288

Nine X Nine

Gandhinagar, India

luid volumes traverse between nine existing trees on the southern
side of a 3,311 sqm plot, with two of the trees punctuating the
Fopen deck areas, and the others in close proximity of the Nine X
Nine house, located in Gandhinagar, India.

The entry to the plot is located between a large cluster of trees on the
northwestern corner, revealing the house slowly, as one moves inside
from the gate.

The location of the built spaces towards the southern side creates a
large garden on the northern side, with all the rooms oriented towards
the garden. The orientation is planned in response to the hot climate
prevalent in this location, with temperatures in excess of 35°C for most
of the year, and the sun in the southern hemisphere.

The House forms a ‘T’ shape in plan and section simultaneously.
Entered from the northern side, a central spine branches towards the
east and west, with a focal spiral stairway at the centre. Sectionally, the
house is entered at the ground level, with one level above and one level
below.

A generous sunken courtyard space on the western side allows natural
light and air to the subterranean level, linked to the ground level garden
by an open stairway along an undulating wall with a waterfall. This
waterfall on the western side, and a shallow reflecting the pool on the
north-eastern side, provides passive cooling to the spaces. Six of the
existing trees onsite were retained within the sunken courtyard, and
another three on the south-eastern side.

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