Roof Terrace: Influence of Climate on Daily Use

ROOF TERRACE: INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE ON DAILY USE

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From the scorching heat of the summer to the high winds in the monsoon, owning a roof terrace does have its perks as well as its flaws. Located on the top of a nine-storey apartment building in the city of New Delhi, it acts as a personal open space away from the rush of the city. The only interaction the terrace has with the rest of the apartment is through a 2m high metal gate located on its south-east side (Figure 1). Opened at least twice a day, the creaking sound of the door alerts its inhabitants of visitors. Mostly inhabited, actually… completely inhabited by more than 60 species of plants, what first used to be an empty space now serves the purpose of a roof garden and a respite from the daily bustle of life. From the ninth floor, to access the roof, two flights of stairs can be used, which merge together into a narrow corridor just beside the roof (Figure 1). The lack of lighting fixtures and presence of only one window in the corridor creates a dramatic contrast as one enters the terrace with a burst of sunlight momentarily shocking your senses. The roof, built in the shape of a rectangle, Spans an area of 20m x 8m, with its longer side facing the north-west. Due to the various protrusions in the periphery wall and an ornamentation element present in the north corner, the actual walkable space gets reduced (Figure 1). On entering the space, what catches the eye first are the two metal canopies with bamboo roofs placed on opposite edges of the space, a set of metal-framed baroque-styled benches with wooden seats flanking a center table, and a whole lot of greenery to complement them (Figure 2). What first started as an experiment to see how the space can be better utilized, now turned into a hobby for me and my family. This hobby presented itself in the form of gardening which was put to good use as well, as besides growing just ornamental plants, plants such as tulsi and curry leaf are also grown, lending a hand in the daily cooking happening in our home downstairs. The overall roof is surrounded by a metre high cream-coloured brick parapet wall on the three sides across the gate which gradually rise to about two metres as one walks towards the north-west edge. Blue-coloured plastic panels are placed on top of these walls which cantilever towards the periphery of the roof, thus adding to the beauty of the space as well as protecting the ninth-floor balconies from the frequent showers of rain. To create this structure, two blue-coloured thin sheets are used as layers with a framework of metal rods holding it in place. Due to the use of these layers, the space inside is left hollow. Over the years, the combination

Figure 1: Plan of the Terrace Note. The location of various elements in the space. The presence of only one door connected to the corridor on the south-east side. Copyright 2021 by Arjun Batra.

of this hollow structure along with the high winds have caused some of these sheets to separate from the roof and fly off. This was considered potentially dangerous since falling off such a height and with high-speed winds carrying it long distances in the air, who knows what damage it could create. The responsible authorities were notified of this, but no changes have been made till now. Learning from this experience, even though on a smaller scale, we were able to identify a similar hollow structure on the roof of the two canopies. Being sloped in nature, they were even more perceptible to the high winds and were thus changed to a flat bamboo roof. The small gaps within this bamboo roof (Figure 4) allowed air to pass through, helping to increase its resistance to the wind and create a Venturi effect , thus cooling the plants underneath it on harsh summer days. Four hollow structures nudge out from the main boundary of the roof through which pipes and electrical appliances are fitted connecting the roof to the ninthfloor homes (Figure 5). Their semi-open coverings make it easier for any kind of repair work which needs to be done. The pipes within these walls also lead to two taps present on the west corner and the south-west edge of the space, allowing us to water the plants through garden hoses. Throughout the year, the interaction of the space with people depends highly on the climatic conditions. From the rise of the sun in the east to its setting in the west, the roof receives direct sunlight almost the entire day. Due to this, the heat generated by the layer of PCC on the brick flooring makes the space unbearably hot during the months of May and June. But regardless to say, the increased exposure to the sun also makes the space a blessing to have in the winter months. During this period, the space finds itself filled with people. In the afternoon, these visitors, mostly the people involved in the maintenance of the building, use the space to warm themselves up while enjoying the freshness of the plants around them whereas the cold winter nights bring along with them, barbecues and bonfires, creating social gatherings and causes of celebration. The awe inspiring views act as a bonus enhancing the experience of anyone who visits the space. The change in climate also affects the pattern followed by the maintenance man involved in the regular sweeping of the space who, in the summer months, cleans the roof in the morning and gradually shifts to the afternoon as the year turns towards winter. A similar pattern is also followed by the gardener who visits the place at least once every week for the purpose of fertilizing and pruning the plants. Visiting this space for more than six years now, the roof still continues to teach me how architecture can and should be inspired by the regional climate and how people can be more involved, more perceptible to enjoying a space that provides them a sense of comfort. The various ups and downs of its design allows the space to be humble and at the same time, be appreciated for all its glory.

Figure 2: The Overall Space Covered by the Plants Note. How the various potted plants are placed around the benches and canopies to add to their aesthetic value. Copyright 2021 by Arjun Batra.

Figure 3: The Missing Panels on top of the Parapet Walls Note. The removal of the top layer of the structure in the left image, thus allowing the framework to be visible from the outside. The right image also shows the use of a metal overhang to support the cantilever of the structure. Copyright 2021 by Arjun Batra.

Figure 4: The Bamboo Roof of the Canopy Note. The greenery surrounding the canopy due to the shade it provides. The right image shows how the creeper uses the bamboo to climb its way up to the canopy’s roof. Copyright 2021 by Arjun Batra.

Figure 6: The Dancing Clouds Note. The view from the south-west edge of the roof. Copyright 2021 by Arjun Batra.

Figure 1: My Brand New Old Room Note. The newly renovated bedroom is more spacious due to the breaking of the partition wall, by D. Saxena, Copyright 2021 by D. Saxena.