The Brick House, whose name derives from the basic material and aesthetic element of the structure, is a sprawling 4365 m² country house in New Delhi. The project clearly reflects a return to fundamental design principles based on a deep exploration of the relationship between sun and space and the role of light in shaping a building's form
The concept of the project
The house designed by RLDA Architects occupies the southern end of a plot measuring 6780m². This placement was determined by considering the topography of the land, the location of an existing tree, and the presence of a previously built driveway along the eastern boundary. The entire project consists of four structures, primarily constructed from brick: a circular guard room, a cuboidal pump room and two residential blocks
The art of handcrafted tectonic
The aesthetic of The Brick House is defined by a handcrafted tectonic resulting from the interaction between a basic brick module and sun. Meticulously designed brick coursing details delineate various wall typologies. The intentional arrangement of three rows of brick projections, denser at the bottom and sparser as they ascend, emphasizes the verticality of the buildings, defining the formal language of the facades
The dance of light and shadow
The changing angles of sunlight throughout the day and at different times of the year create dynamic shadows, forming constantly evolving patterns on the walls. Beyond the wall structure itself, this effect is enhanced by a steel trellis connecting two residential blocks. The abstract shadows cast by the brick wall and metal lattice collectively contribute to “a sense of space and a sense of place” and create a vivid image that evolves with the course of the sun
The functional role of light play
However, this play with light is not just a matter of aesthetics. The variations in wall shading also correspond to the passive cooling strategy of the buildings, of which there are many in this project. Thoughtfully placed at the junction of the two residential blocks and the overhead trellis, the swimming pool serves as a water reservoir for evaporative cooling in addition to its recreational function. Moreover, four courtyards within the house, coupled with a clerestory window in the kitchen, induce the "stack effect," facilitating the escape of hot air and contributing to overall cooling
Distinctive identity
Positioned in a corner of the pool, a cuboidal brick pump room, along with a circular guardroom, forms an architectural folly within the broader landscape. Placed prominently, these structures define the project and give it a distinctive feature, all while maintaining their unique identity
Crafting immersive experiences in project design
The project interacts with various aspects such as climate and landscape, materiality, and tectonics, as well as the interplay of sun and shadow. This engagement aims to craft a spatial experience that is continually evolving and immersive. In the process, the project taps into the local craft and material traditions, infusing them with a contemporary expression that evolves over time
