Designed on a small corner plot of 622 sq.m. within a residential villa layout, Mirai is a contextual house in response to the hot desert climate of Rajasthan. Based on the location, the Southern and Eastern sides have minimum open space with adjacent villas on those sides to be built in the future. The Northern and Western sides facing a road junction have more open spaces with garden areas and existing trees. Planned for a family with three generations living together, this house has three levels with four bedrooms, two living rooms, a gym, and a study. Sectionally, the heights within are varied with an interesting play of volumes in each part of the house, bedrooms of a single volume, dining area of a double volume, and a living area of an intermediate 1.5 level volume.

A curvilinear punctuated envelope surrounds the house creating interstitial semi-open spaces all along the perimeter with deeper recesses on the garden-facing sides. This envelope reduces the heat gain substantially whilst providing sheltered open spaces around the house to each room.

Designed to mitigate heat gain in response to the hot avid climate of its location, this envelope keeps the entire house cool in the hot summer months with temperatures over 40°C for eight months of the year.

This sculptural house is contextual to its surroundings, the climate, and the owners’ need of creating an interesting play of volumes, open enclosed, and semi-enclosed spaces at every level. The design creates energy-efficient spaces with reduced heat gain and indirect natural light in each part of the house.

Built of locally sourced bricks, sandstone, and lime plaster with local craftsmen and contract labour from the immediate vicinity, water recycling, rainwater harvesting, and solar panels for energy generation. The house is built sustainably and is climate responsive.