ARCHITECTURAL
RESIDENTIAL
AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT
PROJECT
PROJECT TYPE
RESIDENTIAL | ARCHITECTURE
LOCATION
AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT
PROJECT STATUS
COMPLETED
AREA
340 SQ. M
idea
The house is situated in the outskirts of west Ahmedabad, surrounded by a canopy of the Peela Gulmohar trees. It had been designed for a family of four where the parents would spend their retired life while the children would be engrossed in developing their careers. Fundamentally, we had to respond to the needs of two generations where one can come together to enjoy each other’s company but also respect their time alone.
Built on a frame structure, the house consists of 9 squares that hold and negotiate the program with the surrounding grids. The built form is essentially a cuboid carved in and projected out in response to the functions inside. However, when one enters the built form, the axis of orienting is twisted diagonally by the entry which is in contradiction to the overall massing of the cuboid Further, as one progresses , the central seating a double volume space visually connects the entire house and brings it together.
The functions are distributed based on the use of that space and its microclimate. For instance, The west and south sides house the bedrooms that are predominantly used during early mornings and nights. So it is largely undisturbed by the day’s heat. The dining and living spaces that are going to be used throughout the day remain cool because of north and east orientation. The studio space on the second floor is above the bedrooms, thus creating a shaded terrace for most part of the day
Circulation is an integral part of the house. From the outside of the house, the movement path is diagonal upto the point where one enters the house. Thereafter, you turn only 45 degrees to enter either the dining or the informal living area of the house. By the movement alone, one doesnot percieve the strong grided structure of the 9 squares. Thereafter, the staircase is placed strategically as a space-making element where it forms the back of the informal living and is again tilted and not othogonal in plan. Since movement is central to the entire house, it is articulated with the staircase and the bridges forming the main elements of the double volume offering different viewpoints and connections as one moves along
build
Spaces are decked with kota stone flooring with wood veneer finish minimal furniture along with wooden wardrobe shutters with jute cloth or wooden strips give it a timeless feel since all these natural materials dont follow a trend or fad. The sunk space at the heart of the house has beautiful white terrazzo with kota and jaisalmer stone chip flooring and the seating with metal structure fixed to the walls make it feel very grounded. The formal living room has a mix of terrazzo, kadappa stone and stucco in its material palette.
detail
Our studio focussed on the openings of the residence. We focussed on having the right kind of opening sizes in different directions so that we respond to the climate and sun path. The north and east side have almost full size openings where no direct sun or only morning sun hits the house facade. These openings are made in Mild steel sections so that being full height they look slender. The other smaller openings on the south and west side are all in wood - either hinged or louvered with a deep overhang to protect it.
The house is not something we have experienced or seen before. It is infact an offbeat house which Netra and Hitarth have crafted with care and diligence. Grateful for the spaces within it.
