PEOPLE TREE HOUSE

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Ashvattha’ : the People Tree House, is a 7,000-square-foot residence in Noida, conceived as a biophilic home that establishes a meaningful relationship between architecture, ecology, and everyday life. Situated on a 162-square-metre urban plot and enclosed on three sides by neighbouring buildings, the house derives both its name and conceptual foundation from the peepal tree located at the eastern edge of the site. This existing tree is not treated merely as a landscape feature, but as the ecological and spatial anchor of the project, shaping the residence’s identity and fostering a habitat for birds, insects, and other small life forms.

The design places biodiversity at the centre of sustainability. Rather than viewing nature as decorative or secondary, the project positions flora and fauna as integral inhabitants of the built environment. The house is organised around a central cylindrical core that contains the elevator and an elliptical staircase, functioning as the symbolic “trunk” of the dwelling, around which living and recreational spaces are arranged to frame views of the peepal tree, planted terraces, and the sky, thereby maintaining a constant visual and spatial connection with nature. Carefully positioned apertures, skylights, and cut-outs admit filtered light from the south-east, creating dynamic patterns of illumination while supporting natural ventilation and reducing dependence on artificial lighting.

Ashvattha’s integrated and regenerative water management strategy, draws inspiration from traditional rainwater harvesting systems, particularly those of Amber Fort in Rajasthan, and incorporates a closed-loop cycle of water collection, irrigation, storage, and reuse. Rainwater is directed from the curved roof and sloping skylights into storage tanks, while balcony extensions finished in Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) also function as reservoirs for rainwater and treated wastewater from domestic purification systems. This water is distributed through drip irrigation to support planters across different levels of the house, with surplus water redirected back to underground storage. In this way, the building demonstrates a sophisticated approach to water stewardship, particularly suited to the climatic context of the region.

Locally sourced random rubble masonry, yellow grit wash plaster, load-bearing brick vaults, earthen pots, exposed metal beams, Indian white marble, and yellow sandstone are employed throughout the structure. These materials create a tactile and earthy expression while also reflecting local craftsmanship and construction traditions. The continuity of materials across interior and exterior surfaces strengthens the sculptural character of the residence, while exposed brickwork, honest metal detailing, and natural finishes contribute to an architecture that is both robust and refined.

Ashvattha is an exploration of how contemporary urban architecture can respond to environmental concerns through biodiversity, passive design, resource conservation, and material integrity. By integrating ecological systems into its very form and function, the house offers a compelling model for sustainable and life-centred design.