ரகுல் மனை - Project Overview
Set in the serene farming valley of Kookalthurai, Kotagiri, this 2BHK residence was designed and executed as a turnkey project by Studio Goodscape, keeping in mind the client’s immediate lifestyle needs and future expansion plans. The home was conceived to maximize views, airflow, and natural lighting, all while staying grounded in regional materials and climate sensitivity.
Design Highlights
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Terracotta Filler Slab: A filler slab ceiling with terracotta pots adds character, reduces concrete use, and improves thermal insulation.
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Terracotta Jali Screen: The front stair enclosure is wrapped in custom-designed jali using terracotta bricks, adding texture, ventilation, and privacy.
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Sacred Element: In the living area, an open-to-sky slit allows natural light to fall on a Buddha statue, grounded on decorative stone flooring—a peaceful, contemplative design gesture.
Design Highlights
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Open Plan Living: An open modular kitchen flows into the living and dining areas, creating a free, airy layout.
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Scenic Connectivity: Bay windows, rectangular slit windows, and floor-to-ceiling openable doors allow uninterrupted views of the surrounding farm landscape while enhancing cross-ventilation.
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Phase-Wise Planning: The ground floor is complete as Phase 1, with structural provisions for a future first floor, offering adaptability without compromising design integrity.
Design Approach
Contextual, Sustainable
Materials & Construction
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AAC bricks for thermal comfort and reduced wall thickness
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Eccentric footing to suit site-specific structural demands
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Aluminium-framed windows and handcrafted teak doors for durability and warmth
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Local terracotta and natural stone finishes used to maintain harmony with the Kotagiri climate
Ragul Residence
Location
Kookalthurai, Kotagiri
Sustainability & Comfort
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Passive strategies like natural ventilation, sunlight optimization, and thermal mass reduce energy dependency
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Simple, functional luxury through material honesty and spatial flow
Year
2023
Project Type
Turnkey Residential Architecture
Typology
2 BHK
Project Overview
Set in the serene farming valley of Kookalthurai, Kotagiri, this 2BHK residence was designed and executed as a turnkey project by Studio Goodscape, keeping in mind the client’s immediate lifestyle needs and future expansion plans. The home was conceived to maximize views, airflow, and natural lighting, all while staying grounded in regional materials and climate sensitivity.
Eccentric footings are laid to support boundary walls while maximizing usable floor space. This method is ideal for compact sites, maintaining stability without central alignment.
Terracotta pots are carefully positioned between beams to form a filler slab, reducing concrete usage while improving thermal insulation and aesthetic appeal in the ceiling.
Site excavation begins as the foundation footprint is marked and dug to prepare for the structural base. This crucial first step ensures a stable platform for the residence’s eccentric footing system.
A peaceful timelapse capturing how natural daylight filters through the open-to-sky slit, casting dynamic shadows above the Buddha statue. The play of light symbolizes calmness and presence, with the flush wall detail enhancing the soft glow throughout the day.
