Excerpt: Red Wall Residence by i2a Architects Studio showcases how modern architecture can seamlessly blend with the tropical environment. The design emphasizes purity of the form with rationalist features like linear planes, volumes, and bold colours, integrating with natural features. The residence, featuring red stone imported from Agra, stands out against a green backdrop, creating a harmonious coexistence with the surrounding nature.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] The Red Wall Residence is a wonderful paradigm of how modern architecture can harmoniously blend with the tropical environment. The design team focused on highlighting the purity of the form through the use of rationalist features such as linear planes, volumes and bold colours, which creates visuals and spaces that integrate with the natural features.
The team chose a red-toned material palette, comprising of red stone imported from Agra, to allow the building to stand out against its green backdrop. This massive eye-catching masterpiece in reddish colour puts the building in a harmonious coexistence with the nature surrounding it.
The major design concern was to create spaces that lead to a fluid dialogue with nature. The fundamental principles guiding the design decisions was that the house be really private, not exposed to the street, and that the views of the trees and the landscape be maximized. The facade of the building tends to be closed from the front side with solid walls finished with red natural stone and places a wide opening to the side of the building creating a grand entrance for the user.
The paved natural stone passage between the landscape and the water body leads to a partially closed sitout with a large courtyard on the side. At the lower level, one enters the living room open to nature; the double height allows the sensation of amplitude and inside-outside integration, and blurring the boundaries.
The main courtyard is located on the north side of the living room, while the second courtyard situated between the living room and the dining serves as the gazebo with water features. Each courtyard is distinct in design and has its own role to play. The kitchen is provided in the South-East corner of the house to ensure the flow of wind and light.
The ground floor consists of 3 en suite bedrooms with framed views to the private courtyards and landscapes. On the upper floor, all the intimate bedrooms are located, in a total of 2, and all with a suite, as well as a living area for the family to gather and capture the wonderful and privileged view of the internal courtyards. The study is created as a mezzanine floating volume which is accessed by the main flight of stairs.
In interior design, the predominant choice for rustic materials, fluid layouts, and a palette of natural tones evoke a sense of calm. A much more muted palette indoors contrasts the bright red facade, lending the spaces a bright and welcoming feeling. The interior has a mix of Western contemporary furniture and customized Indian contemporary furniture highlighting greys, beiges and rustic wood.
This abode seeks to provide a space for retreat and relaxation, while also offering an opportunity to experience various notions of interaction between spaces and with landscape. Its structure is intended to seamlessly integrate with the natural environment, creating a sense of spaciousness and freshness to anyone experiencing the spaces. Bold, aligned and striking are the three concluding words that define this project.
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