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Code: WH_OH_005(a)_AUD_S2(C1)

Personal residence & sustainable technology used

Summary:

Ayodh Kamath introduces us to their house in Anandpur, designed by Revathi Kamath and Vasant Kamath while continuing to give a tour of the house. He reveals the story behind choosing the location, including how it was built on an abandoned sand mine, and details about the materials used with its sources. He recalls how Revathi Kamath worked hard in acquiring the land and ecologically restoring the house. He states how the house design was never drawn, and how the partner architects regularly communicated with contractors making the design more organic. He also reveals how there’s an exit in every room rendering the house insecure and why it was made so. On installing an air conditioner, he talks about how Revathi relented after much pressure since there was an integrated cooling technology, i.e. an evaporative cooling system  put in place. He recalls the story of the only ever measured drawing that was done of the house by students,  points at the fireplace and its functionality while moving on the materials used around, and discusses other challenges they have faced with certain functionalities of the house and evolving issues.

He recalls stories that impressed Revathi in her growing years, which heightened her passion for ecological restoration. Talking about a project Revathi participated in, he focuses on the high importance she placed on the Shadipur Depot and Anandgram projects. They began working on digital projects in the early 2000s, while the firm started in 1978-79 and thereby covered 22 years of designing projects by hand. He lists how all the furniture at home was usually prototypes for their projects and what belonged to which project. He points out the various plants planted on the top floor over waterproofed structures, which was also a prototype for a project. He speaks about the climatic issues the house faces and how these are  overcome  by using the technology of a chimney or a windcatcher. An integrated system was built to recycle any excess water from the irrigation and such. He notes how his parents probably were unaware of security needs. He talks about the courtyard space and the outdoor vegetation and the deliberate choices that made its landscape. 

Practitioner:

Revathi Kamath

Interviewee:

Ayodh Kamath

Interviewer:

Ishita Shah

Duration:

00.43.45

Mode:

Offline

Date:

10/10/2021

Language:
English

Highlights:
(00:16:33:03) Childhood of Revathi Kamath, (00:19:05:07) Participatory planning