Agam House

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Mawi Design
Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Published in 2023
on Buildofy
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Agam House Video

This publication is a culmination of a detailed film which
has been produced and published on Buildofy in 2023.
To watch the film, scan the QR code below:
www.buildofy.com Agam House | Mawi Design

Contents
Project Details......................................................................................................................... 9

Key Contributors..................................................................................................................... 9

Design Context...................................................................................................................... 10

Concept of Transparency.................................................................................................... 12

Ground Floor Plan*.............................................................................................................. 16

Rat Trap Bond: Step-By-Step Breakdown of The Laying Process............................. 18

First Floor Plan* ...................................................................................................................20

Living Area.............................................................................................................................. 22

The Facade.............................................................................................................................26

Laying of The Facade...........................................................................................................29

Second Floor Plan.................................................................................................................30

Section A*................................................................................................................................31

Study Area.............................................................................................................................. 32

Section B*.............................................................................................................................. 34

Third Floor Plan*................................................................................................................... 36

Section C*................................................................................................................................37

Conclusion.............................................................................................................................. 39

Material Palette....................................................................................................................42

Unique Material Applications........................................................................................... 43

Product Specifications........................................................................................................ 43

Documentation Credits...................................................................................................... 43

* Drawings for reference on this page.

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 Foreword
Agam House aims to create a healthy
and nurturing living environment
that harmoniously integrates with
its urban context. The architectural
approach addresses the challenges
of Chennai’s hot weather and limited
footprint by employing an expressive
solid facade and thoughtful spatial
planning. The use of natural materials,
strategic openings, and passive
cooling techniques ensures thermal
comfort and enhanced ventilation.
What makes the design of Agam House
stand out is its emphasis on visual
and social connectivity with a play of
openings and layered volumes that
contribute into creating immersive
spaces. With a focus on sustainability
and sensitivity to local traditions,
Agam House embodies a timeless
design philosophy that blends
modernity with a deep appreciation
for the well-being of its inhabitants.
www.buildofy.com Agam House | Mawi Design

Project Details
Location Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Firm Mawi Design

Project Team Malli Saravanan

Venkatesh
Vijay Prakash
Akash Raj
Ananya Murali
Kanimozhi R

Plot Area 1,190 sq ft

Built-Up Area 3,528 sq ft

Project Budget Rs 3,500 - 4,000 per sq ft

Project Start Date 2020

Project End Date 2022

Number of Floors G+3

Number of Car Parks 1

Number of Bedrooms 3

Vastu Compliant Yes

Key Contributors
Structural Consultant Archetype Consultants

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www.buildofy.com Agam House | Mawi Design

Design Context
Agam is the Tamil word for ‘inside’. The project was conceptualised with the intent to create a
healthy living environment that is refreshing and nurturing for the body and mind. The resultant
building is seemingly rigid on the outside but extremely porous inside creating multiple levels of
transparency within.

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Stack Effect to Mitigate Heat Sensory Connectivity and Transparency - Sound

Concept of Transparency
Agam House, located in Velachery, Chennai, skillfully addresses the city’s hot weather and dense area flanked by solid functional spaces. These volumes, characterised by a play of opacity and
urban context. The house boasts an expressive solid facade, making a bold statement and also transparency, immerse the interiors in natural light and create a harmonious composition. Following
creating a refreshing and nurturing living environment within. Despite the limited footprint of the the principles of golden proportions, the volumes facilitate stack effect ventilation, promoting
site, the design successfully splits the volume into three sections — a central porous circulation passive cooling and ensuring thermal comfort throughout the house.

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Sensory Connectivity and Transparency - Smell Sensory Connectivity Across Volumes Stacked in Golden Proportions

The arrangement of spaces in Agam House fosters a dynamic visual and social dialogue among
its inhabitants across different levels, elevating their daily living experience. By strategically
incorporating openings of various sizes on each floor, the design achieves a harmonious flow of
spaces while adding depth and dimension to the overall composition.

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Ground Floor Plan

The ground floor of Agam House serves as a designated parking space and commercial area, fulfilling
the client’s requirement for a street-facing outlet. This deliberate separation effectively distinguishes
the public activities on the ground floor from the private domestic area situated upstairs.
Throughout the house, the exposed brick walls display the intriguing patterns of the rat trap bond.

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www.buildofy.com Agam House | Mawi Design

Rat Trap Bond: Step-By-Step Breakdown of The Laying Process

1 2 3 4 5 6

Laying of The Rat Trap

Bond (Top View)

7 8 9 10 11

Laying of The Rat Trap

Bond (Side View)

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www.buildofy.com Agam House | Mawi Design

First Floor Plan

An L-shaped staircase leads into the domestic quarters of the house opening into a court space. This
well-planned court serves as a buffer zone, providing a transition between the staircase and the
private areas. Functionally, it also acts as a protective barrier, shielding the habitable spaces from
the harsh heat that may impact the facade.

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www.buildofy.com Agam House | Mawi Design

Living Area
Upon entering the open living area, abundant natural light fills the space, flooding from the balcony
that faces the east side. The fluidity of the floor plan seamlessly connects the living area to the dining
space and kitchen. The dining area, too, benefits from its own balcony, providing an inviting spot
to enjoy meals. Nestled in the south corner of the house is the well-appointed kitchen, while the
bedroom claims the southwest corner.

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Distinct flooring treatments differentiate the habitable zones from the transition areas, enhancing
the overall sensory experience. Clean lines and smooth finishes grace the floors of the living and
dining areas, while the transition zones boast coarse textures, adding depth and interest to the
movement around the staircase.

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The Facade
The walls of the house are constructed using bricks, employing a rat trap bond technique.
This innovative construction method not only adds visual interest but also helps to regulate the
interior temperature, keeping it 1-2 degrees cooler than the outside. Adding to the character and
charm of the facade, the openings showcase the incorporation of 150-year-old Pondicherry High
Court doors, imparting a unique and historical touch to the overall design.

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www.buildofy.com Agam House | Mawi Design

Brick Bond for The Facade: Step-by-Step Breakdown

of The Laying Process

Laying of The Facade

(Top View)

1 2 3 4 5

Laying of The Facade

(Side View)

Sciography: Studying How Light and Shadows Interact From The Construction Site
With The Bonds on The Facade

1 2

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www.buildofy.com Agam House | Mawi Design

Second Floor Plan Section A

The mezzanine floor, located on the next level, serves as a study area with a visual connection
to the living area below. This design choice reflects the architect’s intention to create perceptual
transparency and connectivity throughout the house.

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Study Area
From the study area, there is direct access to the bedroom. The placement of the wardrobe along
the west facade and the positioning of the toilet on the south side serve as effective heat barriers,
preventing heat from reaching the livable space of the bedroom and ensuring a comfortable
environment.

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Section B

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Third Floor Plan Section C

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Conclusion
Agam House envelops its inhabitants in a sense of well-being, with its design capturing the passage
of time and the changing seasons. The incorporation of restored heritage elements throughout the
house subtly echoes its timeless charm. This home, deeply rooted in the client’s appreciation for
both comfort and joy, provides a sanctuary where one can retreat after a long day, evoking ecstatic
feelings. With its life-giving spirit, Agam House infuses a sense of wellness and contentment in all
who reside within its walls.

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www.buildofy.com Agam House | Mawi Design

Material Palette Unique Material Applications

Façade Exposed Brickwork

Flooring Cement Oxide

Kota

Internal Walls Exposed Concrete

Exposed Brickwork

Exposed Brick Facade Cement Oxide Flooring

Product Specifications

Doors Upcycled doors

Kota Flooring Exposed Concrete Wall Finish Sanitaryware Jaquar

Bath Fittings Jaquar

Documentation Credits
Exposed Brick Wall Upcycled Doors
in Rat Trap Bond
Photography Kavin Kumar Lasa

Architectural Journalist Kanishk Sharma

Drawings and Graphics Mawi Designs

eBook Design and Editing Manali Haware

Filler Slab Metal Staircase

with Wooden Treads
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©Skyboard, 2023. No part of this eBook

may be reproduced or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying,
recording or by any information
storage and retrieval system, without
written permission from the company.
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