H o u s e w i t h a F r a m e
Site
The design is articulated in one of the row housing plots having an area about 1 gunta (local unit of land area measuring) or 1000 sqft. The site is oriented in east - west axis, measuring as 8 Mt. X 12.5 Mt. (25’ X 40’). It is accessed by 6 Mt. wide road on East side. The site is surrounded by adjacent plots on three sides, so the longer faces (South & North sides) are acting as common walls (dead walls) sharing boundary with plots on either sides, thus providing privilege of play of fenestrations, weather protections, projections etc. only on front and rear faces (East & West sides).
Space
With the limitation of common walls on longer faces of the site and setbacks of 1.5 Mt. & 0.9 Mt. at front & rear faces respectively, the objective of the design was to articulate maximum utilization of habitable spaces opening into transitional spaces like verandah, terrace and semi covered balcony etc.
Ground floor is articulated with Living area, Kitchen, Bed room and a Common toilet. Naturally lit up Living space is fused to an open to sky verandah through wide door opening making the space flow inside - out and visually large. The Kitchen has a strategic location connecting Living easily and to the entrance gate visually. The Parent’s bed room and a Common toilet are placed at the rear part of the house with window openings providing sufficient light & ventilation.
First floor is approached by an open staircase which is characterized in folded plate style. The Master bed room is a larger space of the house which opens up in semi covered balcony with M.S. pergola above and providing vista of the surroundings. The attached toilet is accessed through walk in wardrobe and has its own uniqueness. The Guest bed room adjacent to Master Bed opens up in the visual identity of the house that is ‘a frame’, a double height terrace expressed in bold red frame composed of shear wall (feature wall) & M.S. Patti Patterns.
Terrace floor is a potential family gathering space accessed by the same staircase and accommodates store, pantry and services.
Character
The small scale of the project was a challenging task as to create a harmony between habitable spaces with the transitional spaces. The design is characterized with the play of volumes in the slice of the Sun, as the day progresses, changing shadow patterns by projections, openings, pergola etc. signifies the interactive relation of forms and spaces. Door and window openings kept wide enough to catch the unobstructed prevailing wind from Rankala Lake located in the eastern axis of the site providing well natural ventilation to the internal spaces. The proportionate play of volumes adorned with white & red colour combinations provides unique identity to the house. Illumination also plays a vital role, enhancing the character of the house eloquently in the evening. Simple design detail gestures like rain water spout, railing, entrance gate, main door, feature wall, M.S. patterns etc. adds a grace to the overall design language.
Offerings
Expressed with simple forms and bold lines, this Ground + First floor house identifies as a ‘house with a frame’ in the locality, often surprises people by the grandness offered by the overall architectural composition in such a small land parcel.
