This house in a 2650 sq. ft. south facing plot is located in the densely populated area of Maninagar, Ahmedabad. The client’s requirement was for a 4-bedroom BHK bungalow, complemented by garden space that promotes a harmonious connection with nature. They also needed a servant room, a large storeroom, and two car parks.

The USP of our practice is to deliver the end result exactly same which we have proposed in the initial stages to our client.

Editor’s Note: “Embracing a symphony of symmetry, this Ahmedabad abode revels in its open planning and expansive layout. The intricate jaalis and soaring double-height spaces weave a tapestry of belonging, while the subtle details sculpt a truly unique living experience. Every corner and detail harmonizes to create a sanctuary that feels both grand and intimately inviting.” ~Simran Khare

This South Facing House is in a Dense Area | Prashant Parmar Architect | Shayona Consultants

It was going to be an uphill climb to fulfil all the requirements in this 2650 sq.ft. south facing house size through effective space management. The front of the plot is attached to the society road on the south side; the other two sides are surrounded by adjacent bungalows with fewer margins; and there is one common wall on the east side. After leaving the required setbacks, the floor plate was merely 1300 sq. ft. on the ground floor, with a total built-up area of 5700 sq. ft.

Visual Connectivity

We wanted every activity to have a visual connection between all the floors and provide a connection to the gardens as well. At the same time, we don’t want any boxy or overpowering structures on this southwest corner. So, we created staggered floating planes, resulting in terrace gardens at every level by giving them a natural stepped form. To provide a unique identity and to screen some of the front activities, we have created this terracotta brick jali wall on the south side.

We have divided the floor plate into 3 zones from the south to the north on all 3 floors. We have planned the activities in the front and rear zones and kept the central zone as an open plan to minimise circulation and easy communication. 

The entry foyer of this south facing house has been beautifully designed with an elegant touch, and it seamlessly connects to the garden. It features spacious main door openings adorned with decorative grill doors. Here, one can feel hugeness while entering the home.

Interconnected Spaces

The safety door and the main door are adorned with Relwood, Corian, and a round metal CNC grill to match the terracotta brick screening. The vestibule is a perfect example of the interconnectivity of spaces. It is designed very practically to connect visually with the entry from the kitchen and drawing area through a decorative glass partition. The vestibule is highlighted with MCM cladding in a combination of rose gold patti and a decorative console.

On the ground floor, the drawing room is thoughtfully planned in the southeast corner with full-height glass windows, which feel wider. The covered gazebo with garden is an extension of this drawing room, which connects the user with nature.

For safety, we have provided a unique sliding grill that casts interesting shadows on the interior of the house. We have combined veneer, relwood, and Italian marble flooring, which creates a soothing environment.

Enhanced Details

A feature wall with grey burnt brick cladding, a backdrop of dark grey genuine leather sofas, and a wooden centre table make this space modest. Relwood with cement spray and a magnetic track light in the ceiling enhances the interiors.

Motorised curtains maintain the privacy of the space and give a beautiful play of light throughout the day. From the drawing room on, you can see a seamless flow and visual connectivity through the dinning and the kitchen, without any wall barriers.

This thought made the south facing house more spacious from the inside. We have created the pooja space by double-heighting the west light.

Its contrast with brown leather-finished chairs with a Relwood ceiling and hanging lights enhances the space. The dining and kitchen areas are separated from the drawing room by a sliding, folding, decorative glass door.

Double Height Spaces

Dining becomes the core of the house, having a great source of light penetrating in throughout the day from this double-height window that allows easy communication with all three floors.

The dining area connects to a beautiful water feature and a semi-covered sit-out. It connects well to the kitchen, maintaining privacy while ensuring easy access to the dining space.

Modern Simplicity

An easy to maintain modular kitchen with subtle tones is an example of modern simplicity. We have used grey matte Acrolam laminate with black profile handles and Corian platform top.

The parents’ room, situated on the ground floor, features a tufted fabric bed highlighted by a backdrop of grey MCM cladding with teakwood accents. Matte beige PU-finished wardrobes add a touch of fresh simplicity to the space. An attached private garden is provided in the parents’ bedroom to spend quality time.

For vertical transition, we have provided lift with staircase.

Open Aura

On the first floor, a cantilevered passage gives off a vibe of openness and hugeness, overlooking the dining below. This passage connects the master bedroom at the front with the son’s bedroom at the rear. The large master bedroom on the first floor has an attached garden balcony, allowing the user to get closer to nature. 

A soft mixture of stone veneer and wooden fluted panels, along with veneer, highlights this bedroom. The designer side tables feature a PU finish and black MS handles. One can also have visual connectivity with Puja Area on the ground floor.

Elevated Garden Balcony

A semi-covered, elevated garden balcony with a skylight on top makes the space more interesting. A good-sized dress and toilets are added to add luxury to the space. In the ceiling, we have used a combination of wallpaper and a C-type wooden track with a mirror, which gives balance to the materiality of the space.

The son bedroom at the rear has become a point of attraction for its hugeness in this house. The son’s bedroom features a rich blend of light grey PVC fluted panels and a brown curved headboard, creating a subtle and elegant material palette.

The ceiling combines MCM cladding and teak wood strips, complemented by PVC fluted panels. We have added a large dressing area and toilet to enhance user comfort. We have camouflaged wardrobes and bathroom doors with designs to create squarish room space and clean corners. 

Intricate Details

A large, semi-covered terrace garden occupies the front zone on the second floor. Terracotta cladding along with WPC wooden planks in combination with artificial lawn make the space more attractive. MS pergolas in the ceiling with circular terracotta brick jail create a beautiful play of light and shadow as per the sun’s movement from south to west. 

The Suit Room, located in the rear zone, spans a significant length of 25’-0”. It features a subtle combination of PVC fluted panels, matte acrolam, and veneer.

We have also placed a niche with back painted glass proportionally in the backdrop of bed. On the other end of the Suit Room we have placed L shaped beige color leather sofa along with the decorative TV unit which compliments the veneer ceiling.

Architectural Aesthetics

The right proportion of grey cement texture with stone Crete texture in white in combination with WPC wooden planks and terracotta tiles screening highlights the aesthetics of the architecture. Considerate use of veneers, stone veneers, fluted panels, and modified clay material with Italian marble flooring enhances the subtle tones of interiors. 

A beautiful blend of timeless elegance and contemporary minimalism reflects that lavish homes don’t depend on large plots, but clever space planning can transform into an open, well-lit, and well-ventilated space. This is what we can sum up as “Terracotta Screen House.”.

This exceptional residence showcases a design characterized by modern serenity, with its distinctive staggered planes beautifully combined with terracotta screens and interiors featuring a timeless minimalistic aesthetic.

Fact File

Designed by: Prashant Parmar Architect | Shayona Consultants

Project Type: Residential Architecture & Interior Design

Project Name: Terracotta Screen House

Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Year Built: 2023

Plot Area: 2,650 Sq.ft

Built-Up Area: 5,700 Sq.ft

Principal Architect: Ar. Prashant Parmar

Design Team: Ar. Hemang Mistry, Ar. Ashish Rathod, Ar. Vasavi Mehta, Ar. Nidhi Patel & Ar. Nensi Patel

Photograph Courtesy: Studio 16mm by Sahaj Smruti

Firm’s Website Link: Prashant Parmar Architect | Shayona Consultants

The Firm’s Instagram Link: Prashant Parmar Architect | Shayona Consultants

Firm’s Facebook Link: Prashant Parmar Architect | Shayona Consultants

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