The Casa Neeti-Lime project, developed by Dinterplay Architects, is based on the Sanskrit word Neeti, which denotes intention or guiding principle. The conception of the work was guided by a series of deliberate design choices, aiming to respond to climatic conditions, the surrounding environment, and the daily habits of the family.
Located in the arid and hot region of North Gujarat, in Palanpur, the Neeti house – Lime House modernizes ancestral construction wisdom. This is achieved through the application of passive environmental engineering tactics, the use of natural inputs, and updated spatial planning.
In the project, lime is not treated merely as a final coating. On the contrary, it functions as a permeable construction system, which significantly aids thermal comfort, enhances the artisanal aspect, and gives the building a distinct architectural expression.
The Casa Anthill residence, developed by Kaushal TaTiya Architects and located in the city of Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra state, has an approximate area of 650 m². Its design was meticulously planned to respond to the region's severe climatic conditions, which include intense heat, low humidity, and high solar exposure.
The main focus of the project lies in mitigating heat gain, stimulating natural ventilation, and ensuring pleasant indoor environments, aiming to reduce the need for mechanical air conditioning systems. The central concept draws from the intelligence of an anthill, understanding it not merely as a mound of earth, but as a complex ecosystem, organized in layers and shaped by climatic responses.
The architecture seeks an almost topographical condition, where spaces appear to have been excavated and interconnected, reminiscent of the chambers and corridors of an anthill. Instead of imposing rigid forms onto the terrain, the construction emerges organically through stepped terraces, strengthening its connection with the surrounding landscape.
The house is designed as an introverted structure, characterized by the solidity of brick masonry, which provides external protection. Like an anthill, it is structured through openings and voids that regulate light and promote thermal balance naturally. Spaces connect continuously, promoting fluid interaction between the interior and exterior, rather than establishing rigid barriers.
Movement within the residence is conceived as a spatial experience, not a linear path. Residents move through a succession of compressed and expanded areas, shaded courtyards, and passages, mirroring the movement of ants. The living room develops around a elongated courtyard, which ensures cross-ventilation and natural lighting, aided by the presence of a water sheet for passive cooling.
Inspired by the thermal stability of anthills, the project utilizes various environmental tactics. Brick walls with openings, vertical ventilation ducts, skylights, landscaped slopes, and perforated surfaces facilitate air circulation and thermal control. The thermal inertia of the bricks reduces dependence on mechanical refrigeration, while cross-ventilation and the chimney effect ensure constant air renewal, rhythmically filtering natural light.
The choice of materials emphasizes authenticity and tactile sensation, using exposed bricks, textured concrete, terracotta, and local stone. The surfaces exhibit an artisanal and stratified aspect, echoing the natural processes of anthill formation. The color palette, predominantly earthy and monochromatic, reinforces the connection to the soil, allowing light and shadow to be central elements in the composition.
Following the organization of anthills, the project defines a clear hierarchy: common areas occupy large central cavities, while private spaces are located in quieter sectors. Service areas are discreetly integrated. Each room was designed for intuitive use and complemented by wooden furniture, offering both smaller windows for ventilation and balconies for enjoying the landscape.
The overall form of the residence suggests a compact mass, molded by time, as if sculpted by the wind and integrated into the terrain. Large cantilevered slabs, measuring about 3.7 meters, are supported by compressive masonry, accentuating the monolithic appearance. The architectural identity is built through texture, plays of shadow, and topographical adaptation, reinterpreting traditional chhatris as alternating balconies.
The Casa Limoeiro project, developed by Mana Arquitetura, began with the acquisition of a cozy house dating from the 1940s, located in the Jardim Luzitânia neighborhood. This property represented an old desire of the owning family.
The client sought out Mana Arquitetura with the main goal of maintaining the essence and original spirit of the house, restoring the atmosphere of a vibrant, traditional home where she, her husband, their twin children, and the dog Amora could live in comfort.
One of the first interventions carried out was the removal of a structural wall that separated the living room. This action resulted in the expansion of the space and the establishment of a more organic connection between the living room, the staircase, and the kitchen. This opening promoted a complete transformation of the social area, injecting greater fluidity and luminosity into the space.
