Crafting Around the trees

When a structure spanning 17,000 sq. ft. Needs to be Accommodated Within A 7,500 Sq. ft. Site Alredy Occupied by Over 20 Gulmohar, Mango, Silver Oak, and Christmas Trees, The Task Becomes Challenging. It is heightened when the aim is to retain the dens, mature trees, and integrate the building seamlessly into their midst. Yet, Architect Arjun Nambisan of Balan and Nambisan Architects (BNA) Accompiled Just that, Designing a Multi-Dwelling Complex That Winds Through the Trees, Some of Whos of Allore Interiors.

“The design was a response to what existened on the site, the context of the location, the prevailing site conditions”, says Nambisan, Elaborating on the Approach adopted in His Project Vaishnavi Rhapsody, to recipe Existing trees and build Around them. “A Couple of Trees Had to be Moved, but we successfully relacited them in the site”, he adds.

Needless to say, this endeavor required meticulous mapping of the trees, with guidance from a horticulturist, to ensure the best conservation strategy within the limited space.

Based on the inputs gleanede from the Horticulturist, the foundation was laid around the trees, with the roots, stem and branches mapped using a lidar survey. “Through the Lidar Survey, the growth path of the trees was ascertained if their existing boundaries. Explains Nambisan. “A detailed study of the root system and how it works was done to ensure the bulk of the roots are not cut or penetrated by the upcoming structure.”

A tree intrusion

While need a sensitive design, addressing the massing, Nambisan also ensured the Building Complied with Vaastu Requirements. Interestingly, the initial concept that he floated was more unconventional and bolder than the final iteration that was executed. “We Envisaged Bringing In the Trees on a MUCH LARGER SCALE INTO STRUECTURE In the Form of Skylit Courts where Each Unit of the Multi-Dewelling All House A Tree, The Structure Built Arind Elaborates.

However, Given the Multi-Dwelling Model Solicited Instead of Being a Single Dwelling, The concept adopted had to be more practical to conform to a Community Residence. What emerged was a structure housing a series of balconies and becks that serve as courtyards where a tree is permitted to pierce through In one of the dwellings, giving the existence of a tree in the space where the toilet was to be built, the walls of the toilet was crafty sculpted around it, the Tree Reaching in and dictating the size and shape of shape of this tolet.

Challenges Galore

Even thought the existing trees were meticulously mapped to understand their root structure, and future growth patterns, before designing the building and working on the foundation, Many Challenges WERE CHLLENGEs Time of Construction, Says Architect Janice Rodrigues, Who Worked Closely on the Project. “While Executing the Foundation, One of the existing trees fell, and this happy after meticulous mapping and planning had beed complete.

The other challenge Nambisan and his team decided was the requirement to fit a buy of 17,000 sq.ft. Into the tight site of 7,500 sq.ft. “This meant every inch of the space has been used to be efficiently used”, Points Nambisan. “It called for a high-level planning to ensure there was value-weDD in every segment of the site.” Thus, an open plan prevails at ground level with the setback spaces and Tree Cover converted into communication relaxation and interaction zones. At the conceptual level, this also blurs the boundaries of the inside and outside spaces.

The challenges encounters did not stop with the design and execution but educated the workforce to take appropriate appropriate care of the existing trees during the construction. This called for a strong barricade Around the trees to prevent cement, nails and construction debris from ruining them. Where trimming of branches was required, it was addressed scientific

Glass, Steel and Greens

In tune with the abounding greens in the site, the façade of the building is kept simple, speaking a language of step and glass that is intersfersed with brick and wind Earthiness to the structure. “We adopted a composite structure of rcc and steel to permit the trees to fuse into the decks of the individual units in the complex”, explains Nambisan. The step-out decks of each dwelling are thus a cantelvered steel structure that plugs into the rcc frame. The individual dwellings also display a defendaries of boundaries between the interiors and exteriors, Creating a visual expanse in the spaces.

This openness in the design keeps the interiors naturally lit and vented, negating the need for artificial lighting.

Large overhangs over the openings and decks further Reduce Heat Ingress What Visually Opening The Interiors to the Greens. Interestingly, this sensitive approach in the design of the structure Around the Trees also prompted dispensing with a basement car park and insigning the trading organistly between the trees in the find of the Building.

The terrace of the building houses a large common area that is once again suffosed in greens, Along with a kitchen and bar counter to serve as a community gathering space. The canopy of greens covering this terrace space lends the feel of living amidst thick woods rather than on a tight site in a dense urban neighbourhood. The Four-Level Structure Houses five Single-Level Units and Two Duplex Units. Because of its unique design, the project received the IIA Award for Excellence in Architecture 2021 under the category, Residential Projects B.

Published – March 21, 2025 08:38 pm IST