THE HORNBILL

HOUSE
Location: Coonoor, Tamil
Nadu
Architects: Biome
Environmental Solutions
Lanka Adarsh
15110011
B. Arch (2nd year)

Context
Brief:
One of 9 bungalows that was to be
made or renovated for short-term lets
Site: intersection of forest land and
estate land, overlooking valleys down
below
Climate: Subtropical Highland
Rainfall: 1250 mm per year;
December to March is a dry season.
Temperature:
Avg. high: 17-20 degree Celsius
Avg. low: 5-12 degree Celsius

Additional considerations:
The Nilgiris is a forest reserve area,
and has a ecologically sensitive
population

Philosophy
Environmental consciousness
and conservation: minimizing
impact and designing with
long-term consequences in
mind.
Decreasing embodied energy
by using local material
(borrowed from vernacular
architecture) and local
resources
Use of passive design
techniques

Proximity Chart

Colour

Significance
Not adjacent
Adjacent
Neutral

Hierarchy of Spaces
Entrance/
Drawing Room

Sit-out (N)

Stairs

Kitchen + Dining
Area

Sit-out (S)

Bedroom (G)

Stairs

Toilet (G)

Balcony

Bedroom (F)

Toilet (F)

Elevations; Exteriors

Individual areas; Circulation

Room/Space

Actual area Sq. mts

Minimum area (NBC) Sq.

mts

Drawing Room

22.5

9.5

Sit-out (S)

10.5

Sit-out (N)

10.5

Kitchen + Dining area

11.5

7.5

17

9.5

1.8

Bedroom (F)

16

9.5

Toilet (F)

7.3

2.8

Balcony

13

Bedroom (G)
Toilet (G)

Feature

Actual width - mts

Minimum width (NBC) mts

Staircase (internal)

Staircase (external)

0.8

Corridor (Drawing room

Kitchen Bedroom (G))

Spatial Organization: Pros and Cons

- Design is largely
versatile as a
house, as well as
individual spaces
for rent
- Each space is
luxurious in terms
of area

Construction; Passive design

Composite load-bearing walls,
with stone on the outside and
CSEB on the inside (sometimes
plastered with mud)
Glass is used liberally
Only east elevation is exposed to
direct sunlight, and has relatively
lesser fenestrations solar heat
gain is minimized
North light could have been
better utilized
Necessity of CSEB in building is
unclear; local buildings have used
stone since the 1800s.

Aesthetics
Form: Tapering cuboid with
upper face diagonal elevated
Rustic aesthetic, but with good
craftsmanship/ sharp finish
Dynamic; seems to be taking
flight
Harmonious colour pallete

Bibliography
http://www.archdaily.com
http://www.deezen.com
http://www.biome-solutions.com
http://www.tripadvisor.com
http://www.inhabitat.com