Vellore House is part of an integrated network of architectures for the Indian NGO Terre des Hommes Core to benefit needy local people. The overall program follows children from early childhood and beyond in education and training. The innovation of this program lies in creating systems of interventions, as a kind of urban acupuncture. In this way, projects can be better managed by communities ensuring sense of ownership and strengthening local identity.
The perforated bricks wall refers to the indian jaali technique: a perforated stone or latticed screen, usually with an ornamental pattern, used as decoration in Indian architecture. We use jaalis as ventilation chimneys and decorative elements. Restoration and revitalization of traditional construction methods is a way to preserve the distinctive characteristics of a culture.
The ongoing design program of Made in Earth aims to restore and revitalize traditional materials (clay, earth, bamboo) and building elements like courtyards, verandah, jaalis (lattice work) and chhajja (horizontal slab above openings).
Indoor and outdoor spaces arrangement responds to the local climate by the way of solar orientation and natural ventilation.
Pūjā is a prayer ritual performed by Hindus to host, honour and worship one or more deities, or to spiritually celebrate an event. Puja is typically performed by a Hindu worshipper. In temples and priest-assisted event puja, food, fruits and sweets may be included as offerings to the deity, which, after the prayers, becomes prasad-blessed food shared by all present at the puja.
The project takes into account the local context by the way of resources, building materials, workers knowledge, social and technical costs. We promote use of local labor encouraging selfconstruction to build community autonomy and achieve social inclusion, providing also training opportunities for designers. During the construction process of Vellore House, we collaborated with local engineers and workers as well as staff of Terre des Hommes.
