.png)
A Harmonious Blend of Modern Design and Sustainability
The House of Terraces, designed for Mr. Manvendra Jhala, is located on a corner plot at the edge of Udaipur’s Shikarbadi residential area. This home is a perfect example of modern architecture that blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings. The design focuses on creating cozy living spaces, open terraces with stunning views, and a bold architectural style that uses sustainable materials and techniques. While the house is striking with its yellow floating terraces, it remains humble in its material choices.
Situated at the foot of the Aravalli mountain range, the home is built on a sloping site, the last rise of the terrain before the land levels out. The design takes full advantage of this natural slope, creating a lower ground floor that fits into the landscape and makes space for a garden and a pool.
To bring the beauty of the mountains into the house, terraces are set back on both sides of the building. These terraces not only provide amazing, unobstructed views of the mountains but also create open, airy spaces where the residents can enjoy nature. Whether basking in sunlight, enjoying the rain, or simply enjoying the openness, these spaces connect the house to its natural surroundings.
The interior spaces are kept modest, with a focus on open areas and a fluid connection between rooms. This approach promotes a deeper connection to the outdoors, where open spaces are as important as enclosed ones. The idea of "building less" encourages sustainability and strengthens the relationship between the home and the natural world.
Inside, a spiral staircase makes vertical movement simple and space-efficient. Its flowing design complements the open layout of the house. The terraces’ stepped design gives the house a mountain-like shape, mirroring the hills behind it. The lower part of the house is anchored by natural stone masonry, blending effortlessly with the landscape, while the upper levels use a framed structure that feels light and open.
Inside, a spiral staircase makes vertical movement simple and space-efficient. Its flowing design complements the open layout of the house. The terraces’ stepped design gives the house a mountain-like shape, mirroring the hills behind it. The lower part of the house is anchored by natural stone masonry, blending effortlessly with the landscape, while the upper levels use a framed structure that feels light and open.
The color scheme mixes modern design with traditional materials. The light grey exterior is brightened by yellow accents, inspired by Rajasthan’s colorful palette. These yellow overhangs not only shield the house from the harsh southern sun but also create a beautiful contrast with the surroundings, giving the house a striking visual appeal. The design plays with color and light, enhancing the connection between the building and the sky.
Glass block windows bring in natural light throughout the day, keeping the interior spaces bright without the need for artificial lighting. The floors are made of locally sourced pink marble, celebrating the region’s natural materials. To add contrast and depth, black marble is integrated into the design, harmonizing with the natural grains of the pink marble. The furniture is made from locally sourced hardwood, reflecting the craftsmanship of the region and adding warmth to the living spaces. Brightly colored curtains and accessories liven up the interiors, creating a dynamic contrast with the neutral tones of the architecture.
Glass block windows bring in natural light throughout the day, keeping the interior spaces bright without the need for artificial lighting. The floors are made of locally sourced pink marble, celebrating the region’s natural materials. To add contrast and depth, black marble is integrated into the design, harmonizing with the natural grains of the pink marble. The furniture is made from locally sourced hardwood, reflecting the craftsmanship of the region and adding warmth to the living spaces. Brightly colored curtains and accessories liven up the interiors, creating a dynamic contrast with the neutral tones of the architecture.
The house’s exterior features metal railings with vertical bars that highlight the edges of the terraces. These railings allow for unobstructed airflow and visibility while also adding an elegant touch to the building. The design of the metal grills is inspired by the Fibonacci spiral, symbolizing a connection to nature through the organic shapes found in the natural world. This motif is reinforced by the spiral staircase, which embodies the home’s overall design philosophy of blending with the environment.
Key Features of the Manvendra Residence
Multi-Level Terraces and Open Spaces: The home features stepped terraces that create open, flowing spaces connecting the indoors with the outdoors. These terraces offer amazing views of the surrounding mountains and provide versatile outdoor areas where residents can enjoy the weather and the beauty of nature.
Panoramic Views and Natural Ventilation: Large windows, especially south-facing ones, ensure panoramic views of the mountains while allowing for cross-ventilation. The natural airflow helps keep the house cool, reducing the need for air conditioning and making the home more energy-efficient.
Solar Shading and Overhangs: The south-facing terraces feature overhangs that provide shade, reducing the heat that enters the house. These overhangs not only serve a functional purpose but also add to the architectural beauty of the house. By controlling the sunlight that enters, they help lower the need for artificial lighting and cooling.
Railing Design and Aesthetic Appeal: The metal railings not only serve as safety features but also create dynamic patterns of light and shadow on the house’s exterior. This interaction between light and shadow enhances the building’s visual appeal, constantly changing as the day progresses.
Multi-Level Terraces and Open Spaces: The home features stepped terraces that create open, flowing spaces connecting the indoors with the outdoors. These terraces offer amazing views of the surrounding mountains and provide versatile outdoor areas where residents can enjoy the weather and the beauty of nature.
Panoramic Views and Natural Ventilation: Large windows, especially south-facing ones, ensure panoramic views of the mountains while allowing for cross-ventilation. The natural airflow helps keep the house cool, reducing the need for air conditioning and making the home more energy-efficient.
Solar Shading and Overhangs: The south-facing terraces feature overhangs that provide shade, reducing the heat that enters the house. These overhangs not only serve a functional purpose but also add to the architectural beauty of the house. By controlling the sunlight that enters, they help lower the need for artificial lighting and cooling.
Railing Design and Aesthetic Appeal: The metal railings not only serve as safety features but also create dynamic patterns of light and shadow on the house’s exterior. This interaction between light and shadow enhances the building’s visual appeal, constantly changing as the day progresses.
Sustainable Materials and Innovative Technologies
Exposed Stone Masonry: One of the key sustainable elements of the house is the use of exposed stone masonry. This local material not only adds to the aesthetic appeal of the house but also helps it blend into the surrounding landscape. The stone is highly durable and can withstand the harsh Rajasthan climate, requiring minimal maintenance. Its thermal mass helps regulate indoor temperatures by absorbing and slowly releasing heat, reducing the need for artificial heating or cooling.
Bright Yellow Overhangs – A Nod to Rajasthan’s Vibrance: The vibrant yellow overhangs are a tribute to Rajasthan’s rich culture and history. They contrast beautifully with the stone masonry and help reflect sunlight, reducing heat gain and improving energy efficiency. This bold design choice also celebrates the colorful spirit of the region.
Rainwater Harvesting System: The home has a rainwater harvesting system that collects rainwater from the terraces. The water is filtered and used for non-drinking purposes like irrigation, reducing the need for external water sources and promoting sustainability in the region’s dry climate.
Amaltas Trees and Landscaping: Native Amaltas trees surround the home, adding beauty and environmental benefits. Their bright yellow flowers complement the house’s color scheme, while their shade helps reduce the heat around the house and improve air quality. The trees also support local biodiversity and reinforce the home’s connection to nature.
Energy-Efficient Lighting and Smart Home Features: The house uses energy-efficient LED lighting and smart home technologies. These systems allow the residents to control lighting, temperature, and security remotely, ensuring optimal energy use while enhancing convenience and sustainability.
Exposed Stone Masonry: One of the key sustainable elements of the house is the use of exposed stone masonry. This local material not only adds to the aesthetic appeal of the house but also helps it blend into the surrounding landscape. The stone is highly durable and can withstand the harsh Rajasthan climate, requiring minimal maintenance. Its thermal mass helps regulate indoor temperatures by absorbing and slowly releasing heat, reducing the need for artificial heating or cooling.
Bright Yellow Overhangs – A Nod to Rajasthan’s Vibrance: The vibrant yellow overhangs are a tribute to Rajasthan’s rich culture and history. They contrast beautifully with the stone masonry and help reflect sunlight, reducing heat gain and improving energy efficiency. This bold design choice also celebrates the colorful spirit of the region.
Rainwater Harvesting System: The home has a rainwater harvesting system that collects rainwater from the terraces. The water is filtered and used for non-drinking purposes like irrigation, reducing the need for external water sources and promoting sustainability in the region’s dry climate.
Amaltas Trees and Landscaping: Native Amaltas trees surround the home, adding beauty and environmental benefits. Their bright yellow flowers complement the house’s color scheme, while their shade helps reduce the heat around the house and improve air quality. The trees also support local biodiversity and reinforce the home’s connection to nature.
Energy-Efficient Lighting and Smart Home Features: The house uses energy-efficient LED lighting and smart home technologies. These systems allow the residents to control lighting, temperature, and security remotely, ensuring optimal energy use while enhancing convenience and sustainability.
Conclusion
The House of Terraces is a perfect example of how modern design can blend seamlessly with nature. It prioritizes sustainability through its use of local materials, energy-efficient features, and innovative design techniques. The home not only provides a comfortable and stylish living space but also respects its environment, offering a lasting model for sustainable architecture. The home’s strong connection to the natural landscape, combined with its thoughtful use of space and materials, makes it a unique and beautiful addition to the region.
The House of Terraces is a perfect example of how modern design can blend seamlessly with nature. It prioritizes sustainability through its use of local materials, energy-efficient features, and innovative design techniques. The home not only provides a comfortable and stylish living space but also respects its environment, offering a lasting model for sustainable architecture. The home’s strong connection to the natural landscape, combined with its thoughtful use of space and materials, makes it a unique and beautiful addition to the region.
){kind=link}