Location and Site

House 3 is located on a site just below House 1 with views of snow covered peaks of Trishul and Nanda Devi to its North. The site is located at a height of 7000 ft. above sea level in the Kumaon area of Uttarakhand. The site experiences a wide temperature range from 32 deg. C to -7 deg. C. It also receives rainfall for an average of 80 days in a year.  

​

The front part of the site, towards the road had been excavated by the previous owner.  The land form in this part was restored to its adjacent natural form/ terraces. The house, therefore was located towards the south of the site away and at an elevation from the road. As a result, this allowed for a large garden in the front of the house. 

​

Organization, Structure and Material

As the site naturally slopes up from the road, the houses' site layout follows a typical hill typology where the lower floor is set against the hill and opens towards the terrace in the  front, while the upper floor opens towards the terrace at the rear. This allows for both floors to have terrace access. 

Due to the restored nature of the larger site, the structure was designed to be light weight. The lower ground floor has an RC structural frame, with lightweight composite floor slab. The upper ground floor has an MS portal frame with in-fill Sal wood rafters. The steel and timber structure is exposed in the interiors. The upper floor has cement board dry wall construction with an LGSF frame.  

​

The façade materials respond to the construction system. Heavy local stone masonry forms the external wall on the lower floor, whereas recycled Sal wood shingles are used as cladding on the steel frame upper floor. Inner wall and flooring materials are equally minimalist and respond to the larger theme of the house.