It’s 2024, and we are working on some exciting projects that hit the ground in 2023 and continue to take shape. Here is a brief account of how our preceding year went!
A porous academic block: Academic block for the Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College (A.N.J.A.C., Sivakasi)
A project that has been on our drawing board since 2022, the new academic block for Ayyan Nadar Janaki Ammal College (A.N.J.A.C.), Sivakasi, broke ground towards the end of 2023. With a total built-up area of approximately 10,000 sq.m. the project accommodates more than 35 classrooms, laboratories, and auditoriums of different capacities including a 500-seater auditorium.
Interconnected courtyards of various sizes – a couple of large ones, and several smaller ones – let the breeze in and the students move in and out freely. The effect is to create a porous building. These courtyards along with the use of cavity walls, sunscreens, and deep recesses are adopted for the site located in Sivakasi, which is known for its hot and dry climate
Adapting the old for the new: Vishnupuram Agraharam House
A kind of project that is a first for us, which continues to be a great learning experience is the repair and renovation of an almost 100-year-old Agraharam house It is in a charming little town called Vishnupuram at the heart of the Cauvery Delta. The challenge was to repair and renovate the house for modern use while emphasising its heritage character. Added to these is a building budget to be kept as affordable as possible which we do so by reusing materials recovered from the site and obtained second-hand as much as possible.
. The clients’ vision to showcase the possibility of renovating and using the old Agraharam houses for modern use within affordable budgets as an alternative to the complete demolition of old houses and their replacement with generic RCC structures is an equal driver for the project.
Phase 2: Scheme
Simple, yet bold: Linys Hall, Pattukotai
In 2023 we started construction on a 700-seater marriage hall in a site surrounded by coconut groves close to the city of Pattukotai and not 5km away from the coast. Conceived as a PEB (Pre-Engineered Building) structure, we attempted to make the most of efficient construction. A simple design with bold geometric forms and running windows frame the tall coconut trees and at the same time contrast with the setting that is around the site.
In addition to these flagship projects, our Project Management Consultancy (PMC) team is actively involved in the construction of several independent houses in and around Trichy. Each project is in various stages of construction, showcasing our commitment to diverse architectural endeavours.
Architectural community leadership & educational outreach:
2023 was a year of significant events. Our principal architect, Ar. P. Chandranesan, was elected Chairman of the Tamilnadu chapter of the Indian Institute of Architects for the term 2023-2025. Under his leadership, the chapter hosted several presentations by both young and upcoming architects in the ‘Spotlight’ series and by senior architects in the ‘Inspire’ lecture series.
Our associate, Ar. Kapilan Chandranesan, served as a visiting faculty at the CARE School of Architecture, Trichy. He undertook design studio courses for 3rd and 4th year B.Arch. students. The recently concluded design studio focused on creating designs for a Museum for River Cauvery on its flood banks. Proposals centered on ecologically sensitive designs, aiming to narrate the river’s stories through architecture.
Stepping into 2024:
As we step into 2024, we would like to thank our clients and well-wishers and seek their continual support in our mission to creating built environments that nurture good living!
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