sanjay puri's screening facade infuses zen spaces in india with transparency and indirect light

Sanjay Puri plays with shadow and light for Zen Spaces in India

Sanjay Puri Architects has designed Zen Spaces in Jaipur, India, an environmentally conscious house that blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces. Located on a corner plot surrounded by roads on three sides, this four-level structure occupies 27,000 sqft (2.508,3 sqm), accommodating the needs of a multi-generational family. The architectural composition features cuboid volumes intersected by an open courtyard, strategically positioned to retain the site’s mature trees. Throughout the house, the design team played with transparency, employing an intricate screening facade that fosters an interplay of shadow and light and forms visual connections to the surrounding scenery. The house’s layout caters to diverse living needs across its different levels, featuring a subterranean floor hosting a lounge, gym, and service areas illuminated by a sunken courtyard.

all images by Mr. Dinesh Mehta

a home with different spatial experiences

Sanjay Puri Architects (see more here) sought to create interconnected spatial experiences while maintaining a sense of privacy within each area concurrently. Various levels of transparency characterize the interior areas, harmoniously balancing living, lounge, dining, outdoor, and circulation spaces. The ground floor and the first floor host the living and dining spaces with three bedrooms and a small lounge on each level. The upper level includes a multipurpose room opening into a large terrace that faces northward. Embracing the region’s climate, where summers extend for eight months with soaring temperatures and winters range between 12°C to 21°C, the design incorporates elements to mitigate heat gain and offer comfortable living year-round. Winter and summer decks extend from the house, providing sheltered outdoor areas for family gatherings while offering respite from the seasonal extremes. To counter the scorching summer heat, the house is equipped with strategically placed decks, balconies, and terraces for each room, serving as private retreats shielded from the sun. These outdoor spaces, overlooking the expansive garden and lush trees, create serene environments for residents.

a series of GFRC screens sheath the east, west & southern sides

Integrating Sustainability with Heritage

Zen Spaces features a simple RCC structural framework complemented by walls constructed from fly ash bricks. It incorporates sustainable practices such as water recycling, rainwater harvesting, and a solar water heating system. Local contract labor from the vicinity undertook the construction, utilizing materials predominantly sourced within a 100-kilometer radius, aligning with eco-friendly principles and supporting the local economy. GFRC screens inspired by traditional Jaipur and Rajasthan stone screens adorn the facade, regulating sunlight and noise from the nearby road while preserving privacy. This design element pays homage to local architecture but also contributes to the house’s energy efficiency.

the facade reflects the stone screens of the traditional architecture of Jaipur city and Rajasthan

Regarding the interior, the spaces exude a calming ambiance, characterized by a neutral color palette predominantly in shades of grey, accentuated by bespoke furniture made by local craftsmen using eco-friendly materials like Indowud. Lime plaster on walls and exposed concrete ceilings further underscore the sustainable ethos of the design, reducing cement usage. Every space within Zen Spaces is naturally ventilated, promoting passive cooling and reducing the reliance on artificial climate control systems. The circulation spine, highlighted by a small prayer room called ‘pooja room’, embraces Indian tradition by incorporating bells in a dome-like formation, reminiscent of a traditional temple. At night, the house transforms into an illuminated sculptural piece, showcasing an interplay between solid and perforated volumes, creating a unique visual experience.

a composition of cuboid volumes punctuated with an open courtyardthe outdoor spaces overlook the expansive lush garden