An Architecture Studio in India
called Archiopteryx created a home
that has a rooftop splash pool and is
structured around a water collection.
This home in Noida, India, is named
the “People Tree House,” and it was
designed to help a clinic that occupies
its basement and ground floors.
In the middle of the home a cylinder
structure contains an elevator and spiral
staircase, which rises to the rooftop
splash pool. The home was specifically
designed to control its exposure to
the sun and to both collect and utilize
rainwater.
“The building generates energy,
recycles water and irrigates planted
areas to nurture life, in tradition with
age-old water-harvesting techniques,”
says Archiopteryx founder Akshay
Shrinagesh in an original statement to
Dezeen. “Taking inspiration from the
Amber Fort and its harvesting methods,
the People Tree House channels
rainwater runoff.”
The rainwater is collected on the
upper level using a tank, which is
connected to a rainwater manhole
underground with a red pipe that runs
through the middle of the house.
“Water is released from the upper
level tanks, under gravity, via drip
irrigation pipes,” explains Shrinagesh.
“When required, stored water is diverted
to the home’s upper levels, creating a
cycle of collect-irrigate-store-reuse.”
The first floor of this four story
home houses the kitchen, living room
and master bedroom, the second floor
contains two en-suite bedrooms, the
third floor holds the splash pad, and
then the fourth and final floor contains
the mezzanine. All throughout the
home, openings, skylights and cutouts
were incorporated so that the spaces
would always be filled with natural light.
“The building focuses on the effects
of nature and the natural, on form and
function, and on the quality of life of the
human being,” says Shrinagesh.
The main structural walls of the
building were made from exposed
stone, whereas the curved walls of the
stairwell were finished with stained
plaster and coated with coconut oil.
Both the flooring and exterior of the
home were clad with Indian, white
marble and yellow sandstone in order to
compliment an earthy color palette.
