Architecture + Brick | Vellore House is a Foster Home for Sick Children

Vellore House is a contemporary brick architecture project by Made in Earth ONLUS in Tamil Nadu, India. The architects state that the 70,000 € building is a foster home for 20 abandoned and parentless HIV-positive children. In addition to a home, the space will care for the children through early childhood and into their education and training.

The home is split into five volumes that are arranged to form two courtyards. They’re joined in the center by a common gathering space underneath a wide roof. The gathering space can be opened on two sides.

The home was built using local bricks, fired in a kiln just 500 meters away from the building site. The indoor and outdoor areas are arranged to respond to the local climate, depending on the orientation of the sun and natural ventilation. A perimeter wall, also made of brick, is perforated, creating a semi-permeable view of the outside. The studio told ArchDaily that the direct reference of this wall is to Indian jaalis used as decorative elements. This gives the children a safe place to play while they can be watched by caretakers.

Made in Earth ONLUS was founded in 2010 by a group of architects who collaborated with humanitarian organizations in Tamil Nadu (India). The group builds in needy communities in developing countries. They focus on implementing new techniques of building and developing traditional methods and materials. They study local cultures from disadvantaged backgrounds and promote young architects, engineers and designers. Today, more consultants and professionals with the group work on additional projects including economics and structural and energy engineering.

What do you think of this example of contemporary brick architecture? Let us know in the comments.