A series of four courtyards organize a former rice paddy into a space for mental healing and well being. The diagonals along these four public spaces all line up to create a strong visual axis running through the centre of this rather large built volume. This transforms an otherwise complex program into a more easily comprehensible collection of spaces while allowing for 24 hour surveillance of the inhabitants, a major requirement of the client’s brief.
MATERIAL PALETTE
The large built volume is broken down visually using various colours of textured and grooved, plastered surfaces.
External paving in Shahabad stone lends a rustic nature to these surfaces
Delicate canopies in white painted metal and polycarbonate sheeting contrasts with the more monolithic nature of the main built volumes
Building elements in exposed concrete like water spouts and bracket beams deliberately contrast with the more finer finished surfaces of the buildings.
Tropical plants including Aglomoema, Calathea Lutea, Giant ferns and Elephant Years lend a lush nature to the landscape.