Dharma Dwell- The Balance House

Project idea

Project Title: Dharma Dwell – The Balance House
Location: Hanuman Nagar Extension, Jaipur
Typology: Advocate’s Residence with Integrated Law Chamber

Project Idea and Declaration:

Dharma Dwell – The Balance House is a thoughtfully conceived residential project for a family of five, where legal practice and personal life intersect within a single architectural entity. The residence is designed for a professional advocate couple, their elderly parent, teenage child, and a live-in help couple. The project draws its conceptual strength from the Indian philosophical principle of “Dharma”, denoting justice, duty, and moral balance—the core values that shape both the profession of law and the structure of family life.

The architectural form is inspired by the weighing balance of justice. The house is divided into two primary zones: the law chamber, which is strategically set at a lower level, symbolizing the gravity and foundation of justice, and the residential spaces, which rise above, reflecting daily life elevated by principles. The form is further influenced by the Robie House, echoing its clear zoning between public and private spaces, and by the open book, signifying legal wisdom and structure.

Climate-responsiveness is a key objective. The design responds to Jaipur's hot and dry climate through optimized orientation, shading elements, natural ventilation, and material choices that promote thermal comfort. The use of 3D geometrical forms adds an expressive modern aesthetic while subtly representing the dualities of life: duty and rest, public and private, logic and emotion.

Goals and Objectives:

To blend a professional law office within a private residence, without disrupting the integrity of either.
To use architecture as a symbolic language—expressing justice, balance, and moral grounding through form and spatial hierarchy.
To design with climate sensitivity, ensuring environmental comfort and sustainability in Jaipur’s context.
To foster accessibility and inclusivity, especially for an elderly family member and domestic staff.
To create a creative and nurturing space for an aspiring young artist, integrated within a professionally active household.
To narrate the story of justice and life—through thoughtful spatial choreography and architectural symbolism.

Project description

Project Description – Scope of the Project Solution:

Dharma Dwell – The Balance House presents a holistic design solution that addresses the complex needs of a multigenerational family while integrating a fully functional legal office within a residence. The project redefines the traditional boundaries between home and workspace, delivering a design that is as symbolic as it is practical.

The scope of the project includes:

Designing a dual-purpose residence that caters to both domestic life and legal practice, ensuring privacy and functionality in both domains.

Zoning and spatial hierarchy based on the concept of a weighing balance—allocating the law chamber on a lower plane to signify gravity and duty, while uplifting personal and creative spaces.

Incorporation of a barrier-free design for the elderly grandparent, with features like ramps, ergonomic planning, and accessible washrooms.

Provision of a servant’s quarter with dignity, offering separate yet integrated accommodation for the in-house help couple.

Creation of a dedicated studio space for a teenage child exploring visual arts, ensuring the environment supports creativity and personal growth.

Integration of climate-responsive strategies such as orientation-based planning, shaded terraces, internal courtyards, passive ventilation, and thermally efficient materials to suit Jaipur’s hot-dry climate.

Application of modern architectural language, using bold geometrical forms and clean lines to reflect the contemporary lives and aspirations of the residents.

Designing transitional spaces (such as semi-open courts, verandahs, and buffer zones) to connect public and private, work and home, formal and informal with fluidity.

Prioritizing acoustic privacy and visual separation for the law chamber to maintain a professional environment while coexisting with household activities.

Implementation of sustainable practices, including rainwater harvesting, solar exposure control, and the use of locally available materials wherever possible.

This residence is not just a home—it is a statement of values, a space where justice, family, duty, and design live in harmony. Dharma Dwell becomes a built embodiment of ethical living, work-life balance, and contextual sensitivity, all woven together through meaningful architecture.

Technical information

Technical Information – Technical Specification of the Project:

1. Site Area:
– 360 sq.m (approx. 3875 sq.ft)
– Rectangular plot with road access from the north-west side

2. Built-up Area:
– Ground Coverage: ~50% of plot area
– Total Built-up Area: ~510 sq.m (approx. 5500 sq.ft)
– Floor Configuration: G + 1

3. Spatial Zoning:
– Lower Ground Level: Law chamber (office with consultation space, waiting lounge, client WC, record storage)
– Ground Floor: Living, dining, accessible bedroom with attached toilet, kitchen, servant quarters with separate entry
– First Floor: Master bedroom with terrace, teenage child’s studio, guest bedroom, family lounge

4. Structural System:
– RCC framed structure
– Load-bearing partition walls using AAC blocks for thermal insulation

5. Climate Response (Hot-Dry Climate - Jaipur):
– Orientation: Living and private spaces aligned to capture winter sun from the south and blocked from harsh west heat
– Courtyards and terrace cut-outs to promote stack ventilation
– Deep overhangs and recessed fenestration for shading
– Use of jaali screens and pergolas for passive cooling
– High thermal mass materials to reduce indoor temperature fluctuation

6. Materials & Finishes:
– Walls: AAC block with textured lime plaster finish for breathability
– Flooring: Kota stone and vitrified tiles; anti-skid tiles in wet areas
– Roof: Insulated slab with waterproofing and solar reflective tiles
– Doors & Windows: UPVC frames with double-glazed glass for thermal and acoustic control

7. Services Integration:
– Electrical: Concealed copper wiring with energy-efficient LED lighting and solar provisions for common lighting loads
– Plumbing: CPVC piping for water supply; dual piping system for greywater reuse
– HVAC: Hybrid cooling with ceiling fans, desert coolers, and provisions for split ACs
– Water Conservation: Rainwater harvesting pit and roof runoff channels
– Waste Management: Segregated waste bins and composting provision in backyard

8. Accessibility Features:
– Ramp at entry (1:12 gradient)
– Minimum 900mm wide internal doors for wheelchair access
– Grab bars in toilets for elderly user
– Staircase with uniform risers and tactile strips

9. Sustainability Measures:
– Passive design strategies to reduce active energy loads
– Use of local materials to reduce embodied energy
– Daylighting through skylights and strategically placed windows
– Solar panels provisioned for rooftop

10. Safety & Code Compliance:
– Designed as per NBC 2016 norms for residential and mixed-use buildings
– Fire safety: Dedicated escape stair, ABC fire extinguishers, and clear corridor widths
– Earthquake-resistant design following IS 1893

Documentation

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