The Shikhara House by Wallmakers was inspired by the client’s travels to the Himalayas and subsequent desire for a reclusive abode set into the hilltop. The design response considers in particular screening from the site’s harsh western sun, while also providing openness for cross-ventilation.
The massive, slanting wall along with the west-facing portion of the site not only provides effective solar shading but offers a unique materiality, being made of materials drawn from the land itself. Soils excavated for a rainwater harvesting tank and the basement floor provided earthen material for the feature wall. There was however an initial difficulty in that the rocky terrain soil was filled with pebbles and debris deemed unsuitable for making mud bricks. As such, the patented technique of Shuttered Debris Wall was used. The technique involves mixing cement, soil and waste materials of various sizes (coarse aggregate) ranging from 10mm – 70mm in order to give a strong wall with a compressive strength of 5.2 MpA .
While the solidity of the wall provided a solar control solution, the next challenge came in ensuring that cross ventilation was possible. Searching the markets, the architects found a solution in aluminium coin sheets. Perforated, these sheets provide the necessary security while allowing light and air in. A rhythmic undulating pattern was worked out so that this façade material can be doubled up to form the interior staircase.
The house makes further use of low cost, locally available material such as waste wooden scrap pieces, which were joined together to make furniture items such as beds, kitchen cabinets, and doors. Cement board is used for the staircase treads and interior bridge while floors and selected walls have been finished with grey and white oxides.
The result is formidable, while also welcoming and reclusive.
