Quintessentially a cube-like abode sets a criterion for the conception of seamless space in a constrained urban environment. With a building footprint of less than 4 perches (car port excluded), the 6.79 perch site located in Woodland Avenue, Kohuwela, is constrained for space. The client which consist of a young couple are engaged in demanding professions in the private sector required a four bedroom house which catered for a future family expansion with natural light, ventilation and space that serviced their lifestyle as well as provided an abode where they could unwind in their limited free time.
The initial program and the realized end result did not vary as the design was prudently discussed and each stage in the design process was finalized before progressing to the next. During the construction process the Architect quality controlled the project with up to 70 site visitations as the client was unable to attend meetings due to his and her schedule. However the client was periodically updated about the progress and for vital decisions, meetings were held in cohesion with the client.
The land area which was bigger as per the survey plan was reduced due to the rear boundary losing 2 feet and the side boundary and front boundary shrinking due to road expansion work. Therefore the design had to be limited to these constraints within the construction process and thereby the final available land area was limited to 6.79 perches. The house also had a 10 foot setback from the front boundary due to the building line.
In terms of space at ground level the living and dining spaces fuse with the front and rear terraces that extend from it. The inside-outside separation has been minimised through the use of large clear glass sliding windows through which one sees the internal timber floor continuing to the exterior decking – with no differences in levels. On an evening of entertainment, therefore, one could utilize the terraces as an extension of the living area since both spaces are visually and materially integrated.
The first floor TV cum family room is a place for unwinding at the end of the busy workday.Since this space looks on to the main road, fenestration are treated with dual filtering layers of glazing and louvers offering options for varying levels of desired privacy and ventilation. The bedrooms, inclusive of the master bedroom, have attached terraces that are screened for privacy. The glazed sliding doors provide an opportunity to amalgamate the terraces with the interior. This enables the spaces of the rooms to spill out effortlessly on to the outdoor terraces. An added feature is the roof top terrace with its unobtrusive planting: a quiet garden space has been created here to engage with nature. The end product unifies within its folds the two mutually exclusive concepts of “minimalist” and “ostentatious. It is an elegant example of contemporary space that has transcended programmatic requirements in a manner that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Material Used :
The structure consist of RCC columns, beams and slabs with 9 inch brick walls. However the slab thicknesses have varied from space to space in order to eliminate beams where the beam have been slab concealed. This procedure was followed to create large openings from floor to ceiling where one could visually see the continuation of the slabs beyond the glass enclosure/ sliding French window lines. The simple design has followed a grid in order to mitigate cost as well as ease of construction.
The materials used, the rich black and tan of the Kumbuk, the ochered Teak, cement shades of the floor and the grays of the louvers and window, which stand out against the white walls softening the harsh white light from the outside to create a rich and quietly glowing ambience.
