“Zindagi..mere ghar aana..”

Zindagi …Zindagi …Mere Ghar Aana… Aana Zindagi…
Mere Ghar Ka Seedha Sa Itna Pataa Hai…

‘Courageous’ is the spirit of modern Chandigarh and courageous are those who dare to echo the spirit. 3152, a residence in sector 21, the heart of Chandigarh, is an attempt in this direction. Is it the bold play of volumes or the very nerve of materials to go naked…one is left wondering!

Truthfulness of materials

‘Exposed concrete work’ balanced by the ‘Earthy brick work’ sets the theme, like a super ‘jodi’ or star cast of a movie. The cool grey color of undressed concrete makes a statement with a tapered ship-mast like focal wall, columns defining the main entrance, embossed feature walls in the porch and a gate post with an engraved ‘Tree of life’. Rustic, terracotta color brickwork wraps around the ground floor, lending warmth and the ‘Oh! So very Chandigarh’ touch, while negating the need for any maintenance.

The step-motherly bye-laws

Chandigarh is infamous for its stringent bye-laws and accused of being a real ‘kill-joy’ to creativity. 3152, however, takes up the challenge in its stride, breaks away from a predictable straight-line mould and experiments with blocks moving back and forth, straight and angled, responding to the sun angle and the adjoining exterior spaces. There seems to be no threat of the play running awry- for binding it all together in a ‘we are family’ fashion are strategically placed metal pergolas, justifying their existence aesthetically.

Sustainability is the mantra

As one enters the house, a lift structure in exposed concrete arrests and guides ones attention to the ceilings, left unfinished with shuttering plate marks still intact. Unaware visitors look pityingly at the residents, probably wondering, “Oh, poor souls were left with no money to even afford false ceilings!” As unfinished, raw wooden planks running along the ceiling edges as cornices, come into vision, guests are no longer able to hide their puzzlement. Pity gives way to curiosity and curiosity to awe as they hear the stories behind the recycling of abandoned railway wood used throughout the house.

Use of Aluminium metal for entire doors & window framework, as against conventional use of new wood, promotes the ‘Save trees’ campaign while also ensuring ease of maintenance through use of a termite and seepage proof material.

Tradition meets modernity

When the ‘Dadi’ of the house proudly takes the guests ‘up and down’ and around, you know something has been done right! And that something, probably, is the Indian tradition of ‘togetherness’ kept alive in its essence.

A double height family lounge, adjunct with an open-to-sky courtyard, occupies the heart of this abode. Planned to be the lung of the house, it serves as the ‘get-together’ space for the family, reminiscent of the essential central courtyard of a traditional Indian house. Large glass doors slide open to reveal the courtyard and suddenly the lounge space becomes double. A beautiful wispy willow brings in the color red, the sun birds, the songs, the ‘breezy breeze’ and simply adds zest to the whole house!

Waste to wonders

One cannot talk of Chandigarh without acknowledging Nek Chand of the ‘Rock garden’ fame.      Saluting his contribution to the City are beautiful impromptu mosaics created by the daughter of the house, out of multi-colored ceramic tiles lying waste. Just as in her sketchbook and her art corner, she weaves magic- lining window sills, adorning manhole covers, enhancing built-in planters, wrapping ’chajjas’ etc. While the light-well beams down sun-rays on each and everyone at the entrance door, its roof, with its interesting collage of mosaic, serves as a great table-spread for the terrace parties.

Neighbours envy, Owners pride

Large windows fitted with insulated glass, let in natural light& green views through the day, while keeping out extremes of heat, cold and noise from adjoining major roads at bay. A three kilowatt solar electricity plant with net metering system further helps in reduction of the monthly electricity bill- the cause of a perpetual grin on the owner’s face!

A terrace garden with natural grass keeps friends of the family a happy lot, while providing ample natural insulation to the rooms below. Care for the environment is reflected in the choice of finishes for the exteriors too. Panels of grit or ‘dana’ interspersed by ‘wobble- cobble’ of the modest Cuddapah stone, constitute the driveway- that which does not require copious amount of water to maintain. Fallen leaves and scented flowers from the vines trailing the common wall, add a whiff of delight beyond description…