ISKCON housing at Mayapur

This is one of the firm’s oldest housing projects, done to house residents of ISKCON Mayapur. The ethics of Mayapur and the idyllic lush landscapes of the surrounding areas prompted the design to adopt a similarly rustic, simple character.

Locally procured bricks are extensively used, giving the housing texture as well as complexity. Arches form dominant visual elements, the rusty red brick colour acts like a nice contrast to all the greenery around. Some formal elements are borrowed from temple architecture and amalgamated into the housing - this creates an intriguing visual character. A lot of effort is also put into curating a rich, diverse and vibrant garden system around.

Passive features are very strong in the building such as maximum use of natural light and ventilation, passive cooling, minimal material usage, minimal finishes and use rainwater harvesting on site.

Location: Mayapur, West Bengal
Client: ISKCON Mayapur
Year: 1995