Climatic Zone: Moderate

Climatic Zone: Moderate

Residence for Mary Mathew, Bangalore
This residence-cum-office building in the moderate climate of
Bangalore uses solar energy to optimize comfort and heat water

General description

The city of Bangalore is located in the moderate climatic zone with an

annual mean maximum temperature of 28.8 °C, annual mean minimum
temperature of 18.4 °C, and an annual range of mean temperature of
about 10.4 °C. The relative humidity varies between 30% and 80%.
Climatic conditions being generally within a favourable range, the
building design did not require any special interventions to provide
thermal comfort. Provision for reduction of direct solar gain and heat
transfer to interior, and increase in heat loss by ventilation helps in
achieving thermal comfort conditions. The south and south-west sides
are protected and northward orientation of the bedrooms is favourable.

Determined by the constraints of space, ways of life, and affordability,

the Mathew house makes a case for an urban house with a traditional
garden court. The house abuts the road on its 9.15-m front and goes in
26m deep.

Design features

Envelope design

The architects have attempted a formal response to the climate by the

creation of a ‘thick wall’ along the south-west; thus a block is
perceived along the main road approach to the house.

 The idea was to create a conceptual ‘wall’ on the southern/south-

western side, which comprised largely the masonry surface
within which services such as toilets, pantry, kitchen work space,
and servants’ room were located. The depth of the south-west
wall was used to shield from the heat and provide pockets for
openings located on this ‘wall’ to pull in the south-west breeze.

Residence for Mary Mathew, Bangalore

 Climatic Zone: Moderate

The courtyards were located in the north-east and north-west to

provide a comfortable outdoor living space.

 As one moves through the house a perforated configuration and

sequential arrangement of spaces is revealed. The emphasis on
the environment as a backdrop is evident in the treatment of
spaces. The ‘verandah’ and the garden court form focal points
around which the interior spaces revolve.

 The garden court is formally defined by the water tank’s pivotal

position at its corner. The south-west wall flanks the verandah,
which in differing ‘densities’ encloses the service spaces and
shields the garden court from the sun.

 The private chambers are accessed through a sequence of

galleries on the ground and the upper level as transition. The
morning sunlight penetrates each of these spaces. Open spaces
of a small scale are attached to the upper chambers and
extended from the study as well.

Energy-efficient systems

Low embodied energy

 As an effort towards reducing embodied energy, the architect

has used low-cost, low-energy construction methods to
complement the austerity of the spaces.

 The structural system of load-bearing walls and jack arch roof

slab with reinforced pre-cast area with minimal reinforcement
was used. It became a guide for the articulation of spaces,
fenestration, interior surface, and exterior façade with a bay
width of 1.18 m.

Roof insulation

 Roof insulation was provided by using a roof system of precast

hollow terracotta curved panels with nominal G I reinforcement.
A nominal layer of concrete of only 2-inch thickness at the crown
of panel was poured into place. The hollow terracotta layer works
as a heat-resisting layer.

Residence for Mary Mathew, Bangalore

 Climatic Zone: Moderate

Daylighting

 Natural lighting is extensively used in the north-east and north-

west by hollowing out courtyards, which become permanent
sources of light and ventilation. Slabs made of local stone in
place of concrete fins provided the slit windows.

 White is the primary colour of the interior and exterior spaces

revealing textures of rough, rugged, and smooth surfaces and
adding to the heat reflectivity of the wall surfaces. The house is
characterized by the architects’ vivid articulation of spaces and
the exploration of the garden court theme.

Renewable energy systems

 Solar water heating panels and back-up geysers are used almost
throughout the year and are the only source of water heating.

Performance

 No air-conditioners are used in the house.

 Natural ventilation, solar access, and natural lighting are good.

 Electricity consumption in summer is approximately 240 units

per month. In the monsoon, the consumption is approximately
255 units (kWh) per month and in winter; it is approximately 160
units per month. This power consumption is inclusive of energy
used to pump water for the garden (twice a day in summer) and
the house from a bore well, in view of absence of corporation water
supply for the home and office. However, the consumption figures showed
marginal increase after computerization of the office.

 None of the lights are used during daytime other than during cloudy
monsoon days. Maximum artificial light used is 2.4 kWh per day, of which
daily night peak usage is about 0.9 kWh–1.1 kWh, which is a bit high due to
the location of the house in an isolated area and absence of street lighting.
Lights are not used before 5.00–5.30 p.m. in the winter and 6.00–7.00 p.m.
in the summer.

Residence for Mary Mathew, Bangalore

 Climatic Zone: Moderate

At a glance

Project details

Building/project name Residence for Mary Mathew

Site address 2 Temple Trees Row, Viveknagar Post Bangalore – 560 047
Building type Residence-cum-office
Climate Moderate
Architects Nisha Mathew and Soumitro Ghosh
Year of start/completion August 1995 to June 1996
Site area 237 m²
Ground floor area 149 m²
First floor area 87 m²
Total floor area 236 m²
Total cost Rs 1.1 million

Design features

o Natural lighting is extensively used in the north-east and

north-west by hollowing out courtyards, which become
permanent sources of light and ventilation.
o Roof insulation was provided by using a roof system of pre-
cast hollow terracotta curved panels with nominal G I
reinforcement. A nominal layer of concrete of only 2-inch
thick at the crown of panel was poured into place. The hollow
terracotta layer works as heat-resisting layer.
o A thick ‘wall’ on the southern/south-western side, which
comprised largely masonry surface within which were located
the services such as toilets, pantry, kitchen work space, and
servants’ room. The depth of the south-west wall was used to
shield from the heat and provide pockets for openings located
on this ‘wall’ to pull in south-west breezes.

Residence for Mary Mathew, Bangalore