CHUZHI House

Chuzhi 是一個可以幫助探索、研究建築且普遍被認為「不適合」在特殊地理位置上建造任何建築類型的項目。這棟建築位於景緻如畫的 Shoolagiri 地區、名為 Sanctity Ferme 的封閉社區裡，業主因社區處於邊緣而不受歡迎的模糊地帶而陷入困境，其陡峭的岩石地形、狀大樹木和茂密的植被，使人們往往不願將房屋建造在那裡。當代的人們追求在家中即能獲得美麗的風景和視野，然而缺乏關心其外觀與自然之間的互動關係，但這個偽裝的建築概念，就是希望能夠與現有地形無縫地融為一體且同時保持著隱蔽性。

Chuzhi is a project that helps to understand what can be built in odd sites that are generally deemed ‘unsuitable’ for construction. Situated in a gated community called Sanctity Ferme in a picturesque location called Shoolagiri, the owner was in a fix as there were unwanted obscure plots at the periphery of the community characterized by steep rocky topography , huge trees and thick vegetation making people reluctant to make homes there as the buildable area seemed less. In current times when people are obsessed with achieving beautiful scenic views from their homes and least concerned with how their houses end up looking like unnatural eyesores in virgin beautiful landscapes, our concept of Camouflage architecture, where we want the buildings to stay hidden and merge seamlessly with the existing topography seems apt.

此案外觀如馬拉雅拉姆語中「漩渦」含義所示，由預製傾倒的廢棄土壤混合物和四千個廢棄塑料設計而成，周圍圍繞著三棵大酸豆樹。此發想是要建造一個從岩石裡生長出來的地下住宅，且包圍著樹木和環繞鄰近地區的多個漩渦狀結構，從而為人們創造一個安全的私密空間，同時也在樹木周圍上方創造一個空間，確保茂盛植被和生態能夠持續生長且不受干擾。

Chuzhi as the meaning suggests in Malayalam, ”whirlpool” are swirls of precast poured debris earth composite bottle beams, fashioned from 4000 discarded plastic bottles designed around the three large Tamarind trees on site. The idea was to make a subterranean home that would originate from the rock bed, forming multiple whirls around the tree and adjoining to create a secure private space below for the residents and a space around the trees above that ensures that the thick vegetation and ecosystem continues to thrive undisturbed.

Chuzhi 的漩渦從牆面開始呈螺旋狀上升而形成屋頂，這個座落在三棵樹之間的房屋結合了玻璃的屋頂設計，使人們擁有生活在樹冠下的情境氛圍。儘管房子沒有高聳的立面，但它仍透過被樹木圍繞的屋頂進而形成一處休憩的空間，也恰當地界定了公私領域，內部以極簡和開放的形式規劃兩間臥室，地面由再生木材拼接而成。這座建築巧妙地融入了自然風景中，宛若一條蛇蜷縮在岩石之下一般，令人驚奇不已。

The swirls of Chuzhi start as walls and spirals all the way up to form the roof. Perched in between the three trees, the house has been designed with a glass roof to give you the feeling of living underneath the canopy of trees. Although the house has no elevation, it properly defines the public space from the private space with the roof doubling up as a seating area around the tree. The idea was to allow the natural ecosystem of trees and the surroundings to be retained as it is above the house, without compromising on the comfort of the inhabitants. Chuzhi is a two-bedroom residence designed with an open layout and minimalistic interiors and has floors that have been made of reclaimed wood that has been pieced together. But the surprising fact is that the building manages to tuck itself away into the landscape like a snake curling up under a rock on a hot day.

負責設計 Chuzhi 的建築師 Vinu Daniel 持續打造有關永續和符合成本效益的建築。過程中，他不斷思考全球氣候危機裡建築存在的必要性，並認為「是否該興建建築？」的思維，應該取代「我們應該興建什麼？」於是在他的設計案中，盡可能地使用現地或回收材料，確保環境不會再受到更多傷害，實現材料再利用的建造精神。

Vinu Daniel, the architect behind Chuzhi, continues to focus on creating buildings that are both sustainable and cost-effective. Throughout his work, he constantly reflects on the necessity of building in the context of the global climate crisis, advocating for a shift in mindset from "What should we build?" to "Should we build at all?". In his designs, he makes every effort to use local or recycled materials to prevent further environmental damage, embodying the spirit of material reuse in construction.

Design Studio | WALLMAKERS 

Photography | Syam Sreesylam @syam.photographer