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April 7, 2005
In harmony with nature
An architect renovates an old house by using nature and various automation systems, writes Qurratulain Poonawala
Every human being is part of nature and needs psychophysical space that resembles and celebrates nature. This notion initiated architect Ejaz Ahed’s instincts to renovate an old house by using nature as a wallpaper.
Heading towards the house from the street corner, the eye is directed upwards by a large red tilted space frame, which acts as a symbolic marker as the house peeps from a dense bunch of creepers.
The entrance gate opens into a few steps made in natural red Chakwal stone beyond which opens up the multi-level landscape. Behind the closed entrance door lies another experiential encounter — a glass block lit entrance foyer where you are greeted by a large ceramic wall panel with Quranic inscriptions and two mahogany coloured chairs.
The granite floor of the foyer meets wooden tiles as you enter the drawing room. The first thing that catches your eye is the backlit glass panel with Islamic patterns painted on it. It is both naturally and artificially lit by a glazed niche at the back of the painting.
Looking around you realize that the house reverberates with a geometric theme which is seen in the grill design on the windows and the woodwork including doors, windows, furniture and the wall skirtings.
The large wooden doors of the drawing room lead to the lounge-cum-dining area, which seems to burst with raw energy with the vibrant red colour of the upholstery and the local earth coloured floor tiles.
The entire house is planned on the ground floor for an interactive one-floor apartment living, which includes the master bedroom, the daughter’s room, the kitchen and the highly automated technology control panels which control various automated systems in the house.
In the corner of the living room are the stairs, which lead to the upper floor housing the guest room. This is used by Ahed as a multi-purpose photo studio and the maid’s room and opens into a semi-covered terrace.
The terrace was originally conceived as a sunroom but later holes were made in the ceiling. The walls are covered in raw finished dark wood, which is complemented by a custom designed jhula and a small coffee table.
The technological integration with nature and the historical assistance from architectural elements has enabled Ahed to adopt a richly varied palette of materials.
The result is an astonishing, unprecedented composition in which a GI pipe railing jostles with comb-plastered concrete volumes, granite floor melts into wooden floor tiles, burnt red stone steps dialogue with the vibrant red tilted space frame and the multi-hued woodwork creates a mosaic and all this blends together to yield a symphony of nature.
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