Casa de Victoria
Ramya Prasad

Casa de Victoria

RP Architects Pondicherry as Architects

Casa de Victoria, an eco-guest house near the coast of Bay of Bengal

The project is designed as cluster of small studio units for long term visitors to stay in a nature friendly environment. 

photo_credit Ramya Prasad
Ramya Prasad

Site Planning

The guest house comprises of 3 studio units connected by a small corridor with an avenue of existing trees on one side, which have been retaining. The units are placed in a way, that there are small sit out spaces created in-between the units which gives privacy and acts as a small courtyard spaces. They also increase the cross ventilation and let in natural light inside the units.

Caption

Unit Design

Each unit is designed as a small studio apartment. The units consist of a living room, bedroom, and a work area, sufficient storage space for a long stay and an attached toilet / bath. The space is comfortable for people using the space for both short and long stay. 

photo_credit Ramya Prasad
Ramya Prasad
photo_credit Ramya Prasad
Ramya Prasad

Architectural Design

The building design focus on simple minimalistic design, with efficient use of space. The design of the spaces is done with the conscious planning to ensure natural cross ventilation and maximum natural lighting. The shading devices and materials used for construction protects the building from overheating of the building in summer season, which is around 60% of the days in the site context (Pondicherry).

photo_credit Ramya Prasad
Ramya Prasad
photo_credit Ramya Prasad
Ramya Prasad

Materials

The project uses less embodied energy materials. 

The buildings are built with CSEB (compressed stabilised earth blocks). These help in retaining a comfortable indoor temperature in all seasons, due to their material density. Interesting patterns are created using CSEB blocks as walls, to give a unique character to the building.

photo_credit Ramya Prasad
Ramya Prasad

The doors and windows are made with reclaimed old wood from old buildings. These woods have be reused and upcycled with natural polish. Mosquito mesh shutters are provided in all the windows, which encourages people to keep the windows open and allow natural ventilation to come inside the building.

photo_credit Ramya Prasad
Ramya Prasad

Shelves, work tables and platforms are made either with simple exposed concrete or with natural hand polished cuddapah stones. Flooring and toilet walls are with natural stones like cuddapah stones, thandur stones and oxide flooring and walls.

Minimal use of metal works for grills in windows for safety. 

Project Details

Project Name:                   Casa de Victoria

Location:                            Periyamudaliyar Chavadi, Tamil Nadu

Architect:                           RP Architects, Pondicherry

Principal Architect:        Ramya Prasad

Plot Area:                           195 sq.m / 2100 sq.ft

Built-up Area:                  118 sq.m / 1275 sq.ft

Year of completion:        2019

Photographer:                  Ramya Prasad

Project Credits
Product Spec Sheet

ElementBrand
steelJSW
cementUltratech
Product Spec Sheet
steel
Fe-500 by JSW
cement
Products Behind Projects
Product Spotlight
News
Mixed wood and concrete production hall in Austria nestles neatly in a picturesque village setting
4 Nov 2024 News
Mixed wood and concrete production hall in Austria integrates into its picturesque village setting

DI Simon Moosbrugger Architekt ZT has designed a new production hall facility for Austrian company T... More

Archello houses of the month - October 2024
4 Nov 2024 News
Archello houses of the month - October 2024

Archello has selected its houses of the month for October 2024. This list showcases 20 of the m... More

LMN Architects Unveils Seattle Aquarium Ocean Pavilion
4 Nov 2024 News
LMN Architects Unveils Seattle Aquarium Ocean Pavilion

In a collaboration with Thinc Design, LMN Architects has completed the Seattle Aquarium’s Ocea... More

Ayers Saint Gross Completes Transformative Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center at Missouri Botanical Garden
4 Nov 2024 News
Ayers Saint Gross Completes Transformative Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center at Missouri Botanical Garden

Ayers Saint Gross has unveiled the Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center at the Missouri Botanical Garden, t... More

Urban plan for Oostenburg in Amsterdam’s city center combines industrial heritage with urban density
31 Oct 2024 News
Urban plan for Oostenburg in Amsterdam’s city center combines industrial heritage with urban density

The artificial island of Oostenburg is the final large-scale development in Amsterdam’s city c... More

Serene home in Mexico by HW Studio is cocooned in wood and bathed with warm zenithal light
30 Oct 2024 News
Serene home in Mexico by HW Studio is cocooned in wood and bathed with warm zenithal light

Completed in July 2024, Casa Emma was designed by Mexican architectural practice HW Studio. Located... More

ITECH Research Pavilion 2024 demonstrates novel approach to bio-based hybrid architecture
30 Oct 2024 Innovations
ITECH Research Pavilion 2024 demonstrates novel approach to bio-based hybrid architecture

The latest ITECH Research Pavilion project asks the question: “How can technology drive a bala... More

Archello Awards 2024 Finalists – Projects
29 Oct 2024 Archello Awards
Archello Awards 2024 Finalists – Projects

Archello Awards 2024 has revealed the projects nominated as finalists to win each of this year&rsquo... More