House of Five Elements

House of Five Elements
India / Bangalore
13.07349377, 77.62070381
Client Name: Neelam Manjunath
Project website: http://www.manasaramarchitects.com/house-of-five-elements-bamoo.html
249,99,58,0.6
Project Description
As the name suggests, this house was designed to bring in the presence of the five elements
of nature , Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space into the building. Water bodies, internal
courtyard, large windows, use of natural materials etc connects the inhabitants to these
elements. The house is a zero energy development with closed loop systems for Building
materials, Processes and Technologies just like nature.
Building Details
Type of Building
Residence
Type of project
New Building Project
Site Area
1190 m²
Number of Floors
B+2
Gross floor area

929 m²
Net floor area

725 m²
Non Air-conditioned area

725 m²
Performance Standards
Eligible for IGBC Platinum Rating. (The residence is a part of a residence cum office project and hence has shared services.
The rating is on hold as it is planned to be carried out for the entire site which is a housing layout.)
Total Cost
INR 82 lakhs
Cost per m²
INR 8827
Year of completion
2009
Year of occupancy
2009
Project Team
Organisation
Manasaram Architects
Website
www.manasaramarchitects.com
General contractor
Gurudayal Saran, Aditi Constructions
Structural Engineer
Mr Naushad, Dr Yogananda, Ar. Neelam Manjunathh
Architech
Neelam Manjunath
Architect's profile
Ar. Neelam Manjunath – Brief Profile Ar. Neelam Manjunath is an architect, planner, scientist, activist and theoretician, with
two graduate degrees, in Science from REI Degree College, Dayalbagh, Agra and in Architecture, from Govt. College of
Architecture, Lucknow in 1987. Her education, however, is much wider and includes training in several skills related to
sustainable architecture, Media Architecture and Charrettee Training from Graduate School of Design, Harvard University,
as well as a PG Diploma in Theology from Dayalbagh University, Agra. She is a practicing architect since 1991, currently
based in Bangalore. Her architecture is distinguished for the use of low energy materials and technologies with special
emphasis on Bamboo. Awards and Accomplishments: • She has won the prestigious Sir M Vishwesvaraya Prize (2005) for
innovative use of bamboo. • The IIA-Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara Award (2005) for Excellence in Rural
Architecture, for design of a residential school at Gandsi, Hassan Dist. Karnataka. • 2nd Runner-up in the Architectural
Competition held for "Providing Architectural design concept for Police Bhawan to be constructed for KSRP at koromangala,
Bangalore, in view of KSRP Golden Jubilee Year". • The WAC- World Architecture Community awards in 2013, for “Bamboo
Symphony” • Lafarge Invention awards(2011) for “Bamboo Symphony” • Nomination for Aga Khan Award for Architecture
2013 for her office project “Bamboo Symphony”. • Her project “House of Five Elements” was shortlisted for World
Architecture News Awards, 2013. • Archi Design Award for Best Design in Sustainable Projects, 2013 for “Bamboo
Symphony” • Shortlisted for NDTV awards under ‘Social’ Category for “Cocoon- Educational Pavilion” and “Guest house-ICT
DEI” and under ‘Environmental Design’ for “Bamboo Symphony”. • Her work has been published widely in over 10
languages in over 19-20 countries and she has presented her works in several national and international forums and
conferences. Professional Associations: • Founder and Managing Trustee - Centre for Green Building Materials and
Technology, Bangalore. CGBMT is actively involved in R&D of innovative building materials and technologies and organises
Eco-literacy workshops and training programs frequently. CGBMT is running BAT, “Bamboo Application Technology”
courses from academic session 2011-12 from its Bangalore centre in distance education mode with Dayalbagh University,
Agra for graduates, supervisors and artisans. • Member, Technical Committee, World Bamboo Congress, 2015 • Co-
Convener and Co-Chair of Technical Committee, International Bamboo Conclave,2014 • Executive Committee member-
Bamboo Society of India Her passion for sustainable architecture and the use of bamboo as a sustainable material reflects
in all her works of architecture.
Other (Please specify)

A.R. Shivakumar Professor, Rainwater harvesting

Dr. Yogananda Professor, Compressed stabilized mud blocks

CDD Society, DEWATs Waste water treatment
Climate Analysis
Describe the local climate
Bangalore has a tropical savanna climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Due to its high elevation, Bangalore usually
enjoys a more moderate climate throughout the year, although occasional heat waves can make summer somewhat
uncomfortable. The coolest month is December with an average low temperature of 15.4 °C (59.7 °F) and the hottest
month is April with an average high temperature of 36 °C (97 °F). Winter temperatures rarely drop below 12 °C (54 °F),
and summer temperatures seldom exceed 37 °C (99 °F). Bangalore receives rainfall from both the northeast and the
southwest monsoons and the wettest months are September, October and August, in that order. The summer heat is
moderated by fairly frequent thunderstorms,
Design Approach
Concept
The presence of the five elements of nature: water, air, earth, fire and space in a building results in the development and
balance of all the three faculties of man, i.e. the psychological, physical and spiritual. This was the defining principle of the
design. The house is an improvised example of the traditional Kannada home “Thotti Mane”, with an internal courtyard.
Site integration
The house has an E-W orientation due to site dimensions and spaces are arranged according to the day lighting and
ventilation required. The existing slope was transformed into a landscaped waterfall directing the rainwater into the lotus
pond.
Building design
The house is spread along the east-west direction, facing north. A two-level open to sky courtyard with a waterbody - Thotti,
open kitchen and dining with a double height enlivens the environment of the house. The interior spaces seamlessly merge
into each other producing a calm relaxing ambiance. The house has high ceilings and ventilators throughout the house to
ensure enough draft for thermal comfort continuously.
Special Feature
Natural Lighting
Large windows, increased floor heights and use of skylights ensure optimum daylight.
Water efficiency
A Rainwater Harvesting sump of 75,000 ltrs DEWATS system has been used for water treatment and 500 ltr/day of recycled
water is used for gardening and flushing after treatment. Water bodies within and outside the building are fed by Rainwater.
Water saving fixtures for taps.
Passive heating/cooling
Ventilators on each window and door ensure cross ventilation of spaces. Use of terracotta, filler slabs, mud blocks and stone
in the building keeps the interiors cool. The presence of an internal courtyard with a water body maintains humidity and
enhances the comfort levels.
Cost effective features

Local, recyclable natural materials like bamboo, stone, mud blocks, terracotta and local labour are used for construction,
making it extremely cost effective.
Eco-friendly features
Mud blocks made from excavated soil are also used for filler slabs, reducing the amount of concrete required. Use of locally
available variety of Bamboo and stone for construction. Collection of rain water. Treatment of waste water Solar PV for
power Solar water heater for hot water Daylighting Natural ventilation
Other features
A large 3500 sqft double curve shell roof on all bamboo support is a novelty in the building. It lends the interiors a very
pleasant and cool ambiance.
Energy systems
Interior Lighting
31 CFL bulbs, 34 LED bulbs
Exterior Lighting
6 CFL bulbs, 4 LED bulbs
Ceiling Fans
5 ceiling fans, one in each bedroom. 1 pedastal fan (55W) for living room
Air-conditioning
No air conditioning used
Lift
No lifts
Energy efficient systems

Energy saving controls for artificial lighting
Energy efficient systems
1 kW supply from Solar panel. Solar water heater

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Non Air-conditioned area

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