Artisans House

Camouflaging in the lush green by-lanes of Pune India, stands a building housing young creative minds, called the Artisans house. The 2,860 sq. ft. studio is designed scrupulously standing true to its occupation. Artisans House creates a perdurable design language with a skillful blend of rustic and contemporary design styles. Designed using sustainable strategies and with a sense of reusing materials, this studio creates an exquisite exterior and interior spaces. The four storey south facing structure bears an interesting bamboo façade backed by planters. The planters used are recycled paint buckets which are converted to be used as planter boxes. Apart from aesthetics the bamboo façade helps to block the harsh south glare reducing the temperature by several degrees making those spaces habitable and energy efficient. The bamboo used here is the indigenous breed which is treated using special techniques by the local artisans. The studio was designed for its functional use and to be energy efficient by reducing the carbon footprint. The interiors were designed with “Open Door Policy” to provide ample of open and interactive spaces. The floor plans are quite straight forward with linear zoning. The studio spaces were placed towards the north so as to grab the ambient north light and ventilation throughout the day and year, whereas, the lesser used spaces are placed to the south having bamboo facade as heat filter. The interiors are dexterously designed by using materials staying true to the concept. The materials such leftover construction steel, brick, concrete, wood, natural stone, bamboo, green wall are used innovatively in designing the interior elements. This keen thinking about detailing and the idea of re using the leftover materials in different forms led to decrease the total construction cost of the studio. The detailing used in the interiors of the studio is note-worthy, starting from the reception. The reception and waiting lobby welcomes with an impressive staircase which extends into an Amphitheater style seating. The waiting area showcases an artful play of colors yet blending with the subtle material palette. Complementing the rustic theme, stone boulders found on site were shaped by local artisans and are placed to serve the purpose of seating. The work spaces and circulation are marked by patterned hand-made hexagonal cement tiles cast in in-situ flooring which leads the way through different areas of the studio. The in-situ flooring is inspired from the traditional Indian techniques of construction. Noticing that seating at a regular conference table is strenuous to see a presentation, the team came up with an unusual five-sided design for the conference table. This unusual design provides an unobstructed view of the wall-mounted screen to every person seated at the conference table. The conference table is designed with peculiar details of a column used as a support on one side and construction bars supporting the other side of the table. The furniture in the director’s cabin is designed using the concrete and timber. Principal architect’s cabin has an interesting library unit which complements the wooden baton crisscross pattern which runs throughout the ceiling. The library unit is designed as a matrix of inclined wooden panels with circular punctures with horizontal construction steel bars penetrating in the vertical panels and looping around to create shelves. The ceiling is not accessorized by a false ceiling. The electric points were taken during the casting of slab. The artful play and strategic use of materials, brings up the fusion of rustic and contemporary themes. These design ideas used help in making the design sustainable. It also help to promote the local artisans and promote traditional techniques. These indigenous ideas helped to reduce the total construction cost by several hundred Euros.