Designing environments rooted in nature where the sun and wind amply speak their language, creating a space that is totally in tune with nature and its local context. That, in brief, is the design language that Shimul Javeri Kadri, Principal Architect, SJK Architects, believes in. Presenting her design ideology on the topic “Evolving Courtyards” at an event recently held by the Institute of Indian Interior Designers Bangalore Regional Chapter, Kadri spoke at length on the infusion of courtyards to transform the language of a space.
Winner of the WAF Small Project of the Year award 2012 besides multiple other national and international awards during her illustrious career, Kadri has used the concept of courtyards in her various projects to bring the sun and wind into the interiors, thus shutting the need for artificial lighting and ventilation, at the same time accentuating the aesthetics of the space.
Reproving the extensive use of aluminium and glass in the present commercial buildings in the country, Kadri felt that this influence of design from the West needs to be reversed so that Indian identity within the globalised Indian city is evident.
Contending that the designs of leading international designers can be spotted for their signature style, she called for localised solutions to be brought into design. Courtyard according to her is a ubiquitous element of the tropics and the most unifying characteristic of Indian architecture given its extensive presence in our design history.
Her design of a textile manufacturing unit in Karur uses the concept of courtyard extensively to bring in light and air while creating a climate in the interiors that is both fresh and cheerful, improving productivity. “Artificial lighting, cooling and ventilation have been dispensed with through the presence of courtyards and water bodies.” While local sensibilities have been brought in through use of stone, clay blocks, vaulted roof, and Chettinad tiles, the interior temperature has been brought down by several notches in this essentially hot region.
Her low-cost school project in Warangal brings in similar local sensitivities, tying them to extensive courtyards and water bodies where each based on their dimensions serve as interactive spaces, passages, as expansive vents for the overlooking classrooms. She has also used the natural landscape that prevailed in the form of multiple trees and boulders to fuse into the design. “The design is inspired from the ‘Indian Street’ and also addresses the dry hot climate of the region”, says Kadri.
She has addressed similar dry hot local conditions through her design in another Jain Patashala project in Gujarat where the traditional methods of working was used and elements such as rammed earth and the step-well were brought in along with the courtyards and water bodies. Her award-winning film studio project in Bangalore similarly uses the concept of courtyard in design though the courtyards prevail here as an extension of the staircase given the tightness of the site.
“The staircase serves as the core of the building, connecting the indoor and outdoor spaces, bringing in light and ventilation. With every single spine connected to the staircase and sky-lit courtyard, the lines between work spaces and non-work spaces get totally blurred”, says Kadri.
But the icing on the cake is her residential project which she refers as the ‘Leaf House’. Given that the site was abounding in trees, the presence of courtyards to bring in the outdoor element was a natural outcome. But what stands apart sharply is her design element where the roofs are structured like a leaf.
“The inspiration was from the trees, and the leaf was the outcome”, smiles Kadri. The residence is almost totally open excepting the private spaces, with the dining and living areas open on all sides to be part of the outdoors.
