This family house has been designed to fit around a mature banyan and a jak tree in such a way that the branches and tendrils of the trees almost touch the structure but the roots are isolated and protected from the foundations of the house. The house consists of two pavilions with a narrow trapezoidal courtyard between them, with a concrete frame and walls of plastered brickwork. The trees act as giant umbrellas, filtering the light and encouraging ventilation and the courtyard allows gentle air movement and gives a diffused light to the rooms, which have cross ventilation and are protected from direct sunlight by overhangs.
Source:
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2011.
