From Akshat Bhatt
If meaningful design is about the essence of things and eventually about reduction, this bungalow is a distinctive statement on a 2000 square yard’s block. This house typically stands as a tribute to the 70s Indian modernism and is a masterpiece because of its exemplary style and beauty. It is an extremely interactive home for a close knit joint family, the one that cooks & dines together. The architecture of this house is such that the space embraces their roots and is progressive at the same time. The experience in plan & section is that of an open space, but, that space has been planned in a way that it is interactive yet offers privacy.
The house uses a heat reflective glass, and the stone used was primarily developed first hand; then tried in the market and was applied on site. The washed stone aggregate on the exterior walls is a thermocouple fixed to a cavity wall, this was cast in-situ & is a very effective insulator. Lots of skylights at calculated angles bring in natural light, to color the space orange in the mornings & evenings.
In the living area, the staircase terminates at the first floor to open that level completely. The study overlooks the dining area but the masonry parapet gives privacy. At the other end a traditional railing/balustrade under a sloping roof forces interaction. The floor and walls are white mosaic with crushed shells for a velvet sheen. The house also enthrals with its waste wood flooring that is environment friendly and aesthetic.
The house appears to be transparent in look but provides volumes of privacy and levels of interactivity for the family. The curious entrance is like a ‘jharokha’, which offers privacy at the doorstep and encourages the family to leave this open for cross ventilation. At the back of the house, the kitchen opens up to the panorama of skylight. The light seeps into various places like the washrooms and living spaces too, according to the movement of sun during daytime. The lights used inside the house go along with their own rhythm, making the ambient lights reacts in accordance with the natural light. It is a perfect amalgamation of an edgy architectural design along with the minutely fulfilled basic comfort.
Exquisitely catering a public garden in the front, and one private garden at the back, while restricting visual access to the public.. The balcony is inhibited to one over hang that is at the back, just above the garden, to encourage residents to visit more often. The glass panels are smartly placed facing north, so as to avoid direct heat gain. Also the minimum possible heat gain is negated too, because of the appropriately used specified glass.
The house from outside looks modern and contemporary and from the inside, it’s as comfortable and cosy.