Wrapped in operable timber lattices, the Light House is designed by SJK Architects as a sun-filled residence for a multi-generational family amidst a dense urban neighbourhood.
Located within a dense, gridded urban neighbourhood, the house sits on a tight plot of 38mx23m. Its design is inspired by the havelis with their chowks, jharokhas, and jaalis, along with the timber-based ‘wada’ residential architecture of Maharashtra. Tempering the harsh heat and inviting gentle, controlled light into the interiors was a primary design consideration in a city like Nagpur, where temperatures can soar above 40 degrees Celsius in summer. The design adapts this vernacular element for a contemporary context by utilising visual and material innovations to drive operational efficiency, ease maintenance, and advance sustainability.
The six-storeyed volume is designed to maximise the use of the buildable site area. An eight-foot-wide, linear atrium slices through the volume centrally, with its proportions derived from detailed studies of scale and sun movement throughout the seasons. Vertically, the programme is split such that each generation enjoys its own space and privacy. The fifth level is designated as the guest entertainment zone and features expansive living and dining areas, while the topmost level has a spa, jacuzzi, and gym within a recessed, fully glazed structure capped by a hipped roof. A deck lined by vegetation surrounds this structure, crafting a secluded retreat with splendid city views.
In designing this project, we sought to strike the right balance between culture and modernity through thoughtful zoning, reinterpretation of traditional elements, and sustainable construction practices.
Roshni Kshirsagar
Partner
SJK Architects
This outermost layer of protruding jharokhas and balconies is veiled in operable timber lattices, offering privacy. Much like the traditional jaalis of havelis, the lattices are also an essential climate control device that diffuse the region’s harsh sunlight and facilitate airflow, effectively cooling and ventilating the interiors.
The lattices are crafted in Accoya pine wood, a high-performance softwood sourced from sustainably managed, FSC-certified forests. The timber is pre-treated for moisture and termite resistance and complies with modern system window designs, allowing a warranty of fifty years for external use, a remarkable advantage not typically attributed to the material.
Fact File
Project Name: The Light HouseProject Area: 20,000 sq.ft
Project Duration: Aug-2019 to June-2024
Structural Engineers: Manjunath & Co, Bangalore
MEP & FF Consultant: MEPTEK
Lighting: KSA
Landscaping: AMS Consultants
PMC & Civil: D.P. Jain Infrastructure
Loose Furniture: Mangrove Collective, Blue Loft, Loom Crafts
Facade Glazing (Aluminum): Dodia Architectural
Facade Glazing (Wood): Ritikaa Woods
Photos: Niveditaa Gupta
This project is a result of our meaningful engagement with the local culture to evolve a contemporary and an ecologically responsible design.
Vaishali Mangalvedhekar
Partner
SJK Architects
The lattices are designed as a system window featuring sliding and folding panels that can be easily operated and maintained, even at heights of up to 3.5 meters, a mosquito mesh and glazed panels.
The use of timber continues within the interiors, along with white Esil marble and brass, and recycled Burma Teak in the railings and brise-soleil of the central atrium. Custom designed furniture includes pieces constructed of timber, both timber and brass, and a few in brass. Tactility is introduced by way of textures — patterns derived from regional saree weaves, like the traditional triangular and arrowhead motifs, or stone carvings from historic structures. Decorative lights, custom-made in brass and glass, introduce another layer of crafted embellishment.
