NET House Wards Off Pesky Mosquitos with Mesh Walls

Inspired by the childhood summers spent escaping Ahmedabad's tropical heat of under mosquito nets, India's <a href="http://www.matharooassociates.com" target="_blank">Matharoo Associates</a> created the NET House. A beautiful weekend escape built within a lush site, this construction incorporates the surrounding nature, but with a twist. Thanks to a network of mesh shutters integrated at the building's faces, the design not only pays homage to the machardani nets of the architects' childhood, but provides much needed <a href="http://inhabitat.com/incredible-webby-treehouses-spun-by-millions-of-flood-displaced-spiders-in-pakistan/" target="_blank">protection from insects</a>.

With the year-round weather bringing forth everything from a humid monsoon season to scorching summers, the cool breezes of night are sometimes the only relief offered. The exterior of the house addresses the seasons with a transparent network of nets, blinds, and glass panels, which slide, roll and fold to create varying layers of protection and privacy. They can also be manipulated to maximize cross-breezes and daylight, or entirely shut when the monsoon season strikes.

Inside, the floor plan is open, with a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/pas-skate-house-an-eco-home-where-you-can-skateboard-on-any-surface/" target="_blank">concrete slab</a> separating the first and second floors, and a large cabinet structure used as a room divider.

Hidden inside, the cabinet contains the life blood of the house. When opened, a dining table and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tal-gur-upcycles-old-newspapers-into-the-daily-chair/" target="_blank">chairs</a> can be folded down and arranged; and levels folded out create an entire kitchen, complete with microwave, refrigerator, and appliances. An internal entertainment system unfolds to include a TV, speakers, and stereo system. Once fully extended, the cabinet can also be used for its intended purpose- to hold clothing and accessories.

The bathing area includes <a href="http://inhabitat.com/top-6-eco-friendly-uses-for-poop/" target="_blank">two bathrooms</a>, with plumbing all leading to the all-encompassing cabinet. An outdoor netted area is adjacent, which includes a Jacuzzi, steam bath, sundeck and a bathing pond.

Monsoon water is harvested at the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/arizona-life-science-building-has-a-really-really-big-roof/" target="_blank">roof</a>, and directed in a stream along the spiral staircase, creating the illusion of climbing a waterfall. The rainwater is stored in an underground tank.

The NET house combines a childhood memory with a modern compartmentalized mechanism - much like that of <a href="http://www.zittel.org/" target="_blank">Andrea Zittel</a>. Its open plan makes the residents feel in the midst of nature, but with sheer nets and glass they are well protected from the elements.