Nandivardhana House: Integrating Brick, Natural Spaces, and the Living Experience

The Site and Architectural Philosophy

Nandivardhanam is set within a tranquil agricultural landscape on the outskirts of the city, and the house has been designed to reflect a philosophy of slow living. Its location amidst expansive fields allows for architecture deeply rooted in the local context, emphasizing material authenticity, climatic responsiveness, and the daily rituals that shape the spatial narrative of the home.

The Veranda as a Transitional Space

The design centers on a deep veranda that functions as a threshold between the surrounding nature and the interior life. Through this veranda, natural light and temperature are regulated, creating a microclimate that is cooler compared to the open fields around the house.

The Courtyard and Symbolism

The veranda connects to a slender interior column that opens onto a central courtyard. The courtyard houses a small brass statue of the god Krishna, enhancing its symbolic role as the heart and atmospheric core of the home. Despite its modest size, the statue contributes to a sense of calm and inner contemplation, bridging the spiritual and functional dimensions of the space.

Brick as an Architectural Choice

The house is constructed entirely of load-bearing brick, a deliberate decision reflecting the family’s appreciation for craftsmanship, precision, and a simple, unornamented material character. The exposed brickwork eliminates the need for plaster or any surface treatment, making the architectural expression both honest and tangible. In this way, the building appears as a rooted mass rising directly from the ground, with the veranda steps extending like roots, while the upper rooflines shelter the interior spaces just as the canopy of a mature tree protects its surroundings.

Domestic Life and the Sequence of Rooms

Life within the home is articulated through a sequence of rooms designed to be more than mere functional spaces. They are places for pause, daily rituals, and observation. Deep windows, textured surfaces, and openings framing the changing landscape encourage residents to sit, reflect, and engage with the shifting light and seasonal patterns.

Balancing Simplicity and Symbolic Role

The architectural design positions itself as both a harmonious backdrop and a protagonist, carefully orchestrated yet modest in its expression. By combining honest materials, spatial organization, and responsiveness to the surrounding nature, the house offers a holistic living experience that reflects an appreciation for interior atmosphere and a profound connection to place.

The Importance of Landscape Design

Landscape design plays a pivotal role in defining the identity of the home, with every plant carefully positioned and deliberately composed. For example, the first Champa tree was planted during the conceptual phase so that it would be visible from the master bedroom, enhancing the connection between the interior and the surrounding nature.

Ancillary Buildings and Material Harmony

The one-acre site accommodates a father’s office and staff residences. These ancillary buildings adopt the same exposed brick language as the main house, forming a peripheral edge that protects the inner garden and reinforces the material coherence of the architecture.

Philosophy and Atmosphere

The name of the house, Nandivardhana, meaning “one who increases joy,” reflects the family’s aspiration for a life centered around calmness, daily rituals, and a close relationship with the land. At dusk, the house emits a soft, diffused glow, with warm lighting turning the residence into a lantern-like presence within the landscape, understated yet resonant and tangibly impactful.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

From an architectural perspective, the Nandivardhana House presents an intriguing study in integrating architecture with its natural site and using local materials. The veranda and courtyard emerge as organizing elements that regulate light and ventilation, creating a living experience in harmony with the surrounding environment. The exposed brickwork demonstrates an understanding of traditional techniques and an appreciation for craftsmanship, giving the building a solid and tangible presence.

However, several points may raise questions regarding practical application: the full use of exposed brick could impose long-term maintenance and thermal insulation challenges, while the employment of symbolic spaces and deep openings may offer less flexibility for changing contemporary needs, especially with family expansion or evolving lifestyles. Moreover, the project’s focus on the individual living experience limits its utility as a general architectural model, as replicating this approach in denser urban contexts or projects with different budgets may prove challenging.

Overall, this project can be regarded as a reference highlighting how materials and spatial organization can be integrated with the landscape to create a holistic sensory experience, while considerations regarding flexibility and maintenance must be taken into account when exploring its applicability in other projects.