An old school friend of our principal architect, Jay Thakkar, contacted him 15 years later from the USA with plans to build a dream home for his parents in India. He briefed us on demolishing their single-storey tenement situated on a 930 sqft plot and expressed a desire to construct a modern and luxurious bungalow in this compact space. The most challenging part of this project, the planning phase, began after multiple site visits and discussions. The final layout, which was Vastu-oriented, featured spacious rooms with standing balconies and terraces, along with a unique element—a floating staircase planned beneath a skylight.
On the ground floor, they desired a living room combined with the kitchen and dining area, one bedroom for the parents incorporating a puja space, a common bathroom, and a spacious utility on the backside. The first floor features two master bedrooms, each equipped with walk-in closets for our client and his brother, both of whom reside abroad. On the second floor, there is a multi-purpose room with an attached backside terrace leading to the main terrace.
The concept behind the exterior design revolves around creating a dynamic interplay of voids. Essentially, it embodies a frame-within-a-frame structure, where the canvas is defined by the exposed brick texture. This texture serves to accentuate the white frame, connecting seamlessly with the balcony. The entry canopy, constructed from M.S. structure, boasts a wood-finish exterior ceiling. Extending towards the utility section at the rear, the canopy accommodates outdoor storage for the client's appliances.
In the interiors, glossy ceramic tiles grace the flooring, seamlessly drawing attention to the black granite floating staircase. The handrail is thoughtfully designed with integrated lighting at the bottom, casting a subtle glow across the entire staircase. The kitchen, adopting a modular appearance, is crafted in quartz, with storage units in tandems finished with acrylic sheets. The parents' bedroom on the ground floor is smartly planned and finished with veneer, creating a timeless yet modern aesthetic.
Team:
Architect & Interior Designer: Jay Thakkar (J Architects)
Design Team: Kruti Shah, Ashini Desai, jay thakkar
Photography: Bhavik Shah (2613 apertures)
Text Credits: Ashini Desai
