Asia Designers Directory - Screen 504: A Sustainable and Contextual Design Inspired by Traditional Architecture

Screen 504 is a 21-storey apartment building with 78 apartments and a total constructed area of 20,000 sqm, located on a 3,690 sqm site in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. At every level, 4 apartments, each with 4 bedrooms and living spaces, are planned in each quadrant to allow visibility and views of 2 adjacent sides of the surroundings, with hills in the distance in all directions.

Traditional architecture in the region dating back to the 16^th and 17^thcenturies has multiple examples of projected screened balcony spaces to combat the excessive heat of the summer months, which can vary from 35° to 48°C , providing privacy simultaneously.

Taking a cue from this element of traditional architecture, a mix of screened decks and open deck spaces front each room of each apartment to mitigate heat gain and provide transitional spaces between the indoors and the outdoors.

: Photo credit: Vinay Panjwani

Each apartment has 5 balcony spaces fronting the living room and the 4 bedrooms. Some of these are open, and some are screened with sliding screens perforated with a traditional pattern. The screened decks can be opened up partially. One of the decks in each apartment is 20 feet high. The residents have the option of using single height 10 feet high decks, or 20 feet high decks, which can be completely open, partially open, or completely screened, depending on the weather.

Based upon the client’s brief and the governing rules, a total area of 20,000 sqm is permissible on the plot of 3,690 sqm. The height restriction of 70 m and the mandatory 14m open spaces on all sides necessitated a building block of 36m X 30m in plan with a height of 70m.

Within these restrictive parameters, the apartments are designed with minimal internal circulation spaces and with all rooms facing the external views, facilitating natural light and ventilation throughout, overlooking the hills.

Kernan Residence: A Contemporary Home in Melbourne

TAOA Reimagines an Old Industrial Building

Community spaces including a gym, swimming pool, community hall, and games room are located at the ground level and the rooftop terrace with a rooftop garden. Parking areas are planned in a single basement.

The entire perimeter of balconies and the rooftop terraces are collectively drained to a rain water harvesting tank. In addition, water is recycled and reused for gardening. These measures serve to reduce the need for external water supply. All the internal walls are made of fly ash brick. Locally sourced sandstone is used for the perimeter walls of the site and within the landscaped spaces. The entire labor for the construction was sourced locally. Collectively, all of these factors render the building sustainable.

Screen 504 is designed contextually to the location and climate, taking cues from the traditional architecture of the region, resulting in an apartment building that is energy efficient and offers a variety of different outdoor spaces to all its residents.