Selling a vision of a lifestyle is part of our jobs as architects. We seldom come across projects, where the brief is to adjust the design around the client’s lifestyle. We had an instance like this where we were asked to create a house with ample natural light yet introverted, a house with many windows yet private, and a house that is tall yet feels humble.
Editor’s note: As rays of the sun penetrate through the volumetric form and rectangular cutouts, Everyday House lives in a state of irony. The play of light and shadows occurs in the most non-monotonous way, making it the distinct element that ties the areas and not the sprawling staircase, which at first sight seems obvious. Connection, togetherness, and the effort to become one are jubilant. ~ Nishal Sevak
In this residence, natural light is the Showstopper | Studio Bāham Architects
The site, located in Vadodara, made sense to incorporate a courtyard-like situation as Vadodara lies in a hot, dry climate. Challenge was to carve this out from a small plot size of 1100 sq.ft, and still manage to add all functional requirements.
The ground floor is reserved for utilities and parking, creating a stilt situation for the house to sit upon. The light well is strategically placed within the house to allow even distribution of the site into two parts. The built mass is staggered to allow for maximum utilization of volume.
The level difference between various spaces is enough to create a sense of privacy within them. In situations of split levels, often, the staircase is the core that holds all spaces together. It is the protagonist in the house, everything revolves around it. It is loud and always visible.
And, its love interest is the beautiful courtyard, appropriated next to it. It is humble and has a Zen-like calm, but again always visible.
They sit together, right in the center of the house. All spaces, wanting to be introverted, open into this core- sometimes as a balcony, and other times as punctures of various scales trying to borrow natural light from it.
Each space gets a piece of the light well. However, the staircase core gives a maximalist experience of the entirety of light well.
To capture ample natural daylight, just the light well would not have been enough. Eventually, all spaces are borrowing light from the exterior surface of the house as well. They are either lifted from general sill and lintel levels, or have smaller puncture, or are in various shapes and sizes framing the exterior views to borrow natural light. Avoiding large windows of regular sizes keeps the home an introvert structure, allows for ample natural light and ventilation and keeps the privacy intact.
Fact File
Designed by: Studio Bāham Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Everyday House
Location: Vadodara
Year Built: 2022
Built-up Area: 3061 Sq.ft
Principle Architect: Harsh Chauhan
Photograph Courtesy: Dhruvil Shah
Design, Exicution and Model Making: Vishal Goswami
Exicution: Rima Zanzmeria & Dhaval Rami
Design: Forum Shah
Firm’s Instagram Link: Studio Bāham Architects
For Similar Project >>> A Luxury Apartment Building that Combines the Nature of Communal-Living with a Sense of Privacy
Paati-veedu in the Tamil language means grandmother’s home. The client wanted a traditional courtyard house after having lived in a multilevel home with limited light, ventilation, and disjointed spaces. The site is on a 40×60 ft (2400 sq. ft.) property with the north side facing the street. Editor’s Note: “Rooted in nostalgia yet modern in […]
Coloured glass is incorporated into the east facing elevation of the house with a plan designed to interact beautifully with morning sunlight. As the sun rises, light filters through the coloured glass, casting vibrant, colourful rays throughout the interior and creating a dynamic, uplifting atmosphere. Each piece transforms into a radiant, gem-like feature when struck […]
Tiles for walls are more than just practical elements of your home interiors—they are design statements that bring both beauty and functionality to your spaces. Have you ever wondered how a simple change in wall tiles can transform an entire room? With endless options in materials, textures, and designs, tiles can enhance any room, from […]
The vision for this Kerala traditional house project was to provide the client with luxurious space and finishes. The client wanted a fusion of traditional elements with all the functionalities of a modern house that can accommodate their extended family members too. Elements of traditional Kerala architecture like the shaded veranda and the multi-levelled sloping […]
The Punjab home design is an oasis of solitude, where the structure itself turns inward, embracing the idea of seclusion. Strategic use of barriers like landscaping, walls, and enclosed courtyards ensures privacy without sacrificing the connection to the natural environment. Large windows and skylights are utilized selectively, allowing for natural light to flood into the […]
Ar. Sahiba Madan, founder of Insitu and KalakaariHaath, shares her journey that goes beyond trends, to timeless design. Her inspiration from Indian culture, art, and artists is reflected throughout her journey. After pursuing architecture as a core, Sahiba established her home decor and furnishing and an interior design studio in 2014 and 2018 respectively. She […]
Given a marble’s beauty and timelessness, the variety and types of marble are extensive and boundless in the modern world. Different types exhibit different colors, patterns, and textures based on their origin. That being said, selecting the right type and variety that suits your space is crucial to justify the beauty of marble. Regardless of […]
Marble bathroom designs transform your bathroom interiors to a great extent, considering marble’s purity, shine, and grace. With bold veining, rich texture, and different colorations, marble can transform an ordinary bathroom into a different level of refined relaxation. From sleek, minimalistic designs to strong statement pieces, marble suits your styles, rendered to be equally complimentary […]
The east facing house is part of a dense residential neighbourhood in Udaipur. The client brief required us to design a multiple-generation home with multiple purposes. The architecture intent was to carve out volumes and intersperse the client’s requirements with spatial voids, gardens, and terraces. This House Facing East is in a Dense Residential Neighborhood […]
When you walk into a room, what’s the first thing you notice in the interiors? The furniture, the walls, or the ceiling? Often overlooked, the ceiling plays a significant role in defining the ambiance of a room. If you’re looking to add some flair, sophistication, or a modern touch to your living room, false ceiling […]