Plywood House

Colombo, Sri Lanka

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kurundu house

Plywood House

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Firm

zowa architects

Type

Residential › Private House

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2017

SIZE

3000 sqft - 5000 sqft

Located off the busy Jawatta road is Sulaiman Avenue a winding lane consisting of a hotch potch of small businesses, café’s and houses, built wall to wall and mostly 2 storey.
deep in to the lane and away from the bustle tucked away in a side lane is plywood house.
The site is a typical urban infill, Surrounded by 2 and 3 storey houses built on the boundary on 3 sides.
This 2850 sqft plot called for an extensive brief for a professional couple and their two growing sons.
The footprint consumed most of the land, getting and light and ventilation ,specially cross ventilation proved to be the biggest challenge, the architects opted for a tried and tested method of sky lights and court yards. While externally the house appears to be one solid block, in section it is broken up to allow for sky lights, filling the spaces with light and air.
The house is set back 5 feet as per regulations and the garage and services occupy most of the front portion ,a small entrance door on the side leads to open plan living ,dining pantry, the dining space which is akin to a central court yard becomes a triple height space with a sky light over the dining table ,flooding the entire ground floor with light, the rear garden with lush greenery and a pebble paved court yard to one side gives an added softness to this scene. On either side of the court yard is situated a guest bedroom overlooking the rear garden and stair case and wet kitchen which overlooks a smaller service court yard. This court yard additionally gives access to the garage ,as well as 1st floor staff rooms.
The first floor occupies the kids bed rooms, a music room is set in one corner, both sons being talented musicians this was conceived as a space where they could hangout and make some noise. One entire wall of this space is double glazed and overlooks the pebble court yard, it also provides outsiders a glimpse of the action inside. While the double glazing shuts the noise.
In The second floor a spine like corridor gives access to the master bed room, gym, office, and a laundry cum pantry space. . At the western end of the corridor a cantilevered lookout point cladded with adjustable purple glass louvers (clients favorite color) allows occupants to observe the outside world as well as letting in the breeze from the west. Every December a decorated Christmas tree is placed on this spot in celebration with the rest of the world.

All bed rooms are provided with air conditioning as is the requirement these days , but has the option of natural cross ventilation as well.
The sky lights are designed with louvers to hasten the expulsion of hot air while the glass is coated with a UV reflecting film, reducing heat gain considerably.
The architects also used a local plywood extensively, in walls around the atrium space, and in ceilings. Not only did it diffuse the sunlight but also gave a touch of colour and texture to the spaces.