Climatically Fortified Family Home

Project: 18 Screens, Lucknow

The historical city of Lucknow has a rich heritage that extends to its architecture as well, with numerous buildings dating back to the 18th century. The site for this house lies along a busy arterial road and is on the peripheral edge of an extensive plotted development for private homes. The project is planned alluding to the traditional Indian courtyard house design and in response to the climate of the location. Temperatures in the lengthy summer months here are in excess of 35°C, with the sun in the southern hemisphere.

The extensive requirements of this 6-bedroom house are interspersed with sheltered open terraces and landscaped gardens around a two-floor-high, naturally ventilated courtyard. In addition to the six bedrooms, the client’s brief necessitated a prayer room, a study, a movie lounge and utility areas. Each space within the house opens into sheltered open terraces and decks. The house is designed for four generations of the family to live together, with the oldest generation housed at the ground level and the younger generations on the floor above. It was therefore, important to create multiple private spaces whilst integrating them together simultaneously.