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 in Udaipur | New Dimension

The house facing east comprises a double-height living room, a dining room that opens into the kitchen, four bedrooms, and allied spaces like the owner’s office and servant room, with large parking, and the first floor is completely designed as a rental space.

Spatial Layout

The suspended gallery above the living room is a space for the children’s room and an open-plan study/library. On the opposite side is a narrow balcony over the street with a beautiful view. The concluding floor contains a parents’ room, an ensuite bathroom, a walk-in wardrobe, and a generous roof terrace facing the greenery.

Thus, started our journey of planning this house with a search for a core space that binds all the spaces at all levels together. A common open space for the family to come together and interact. From this evolved the concept of a courtyard on the first floor.

An interesting idea of a double-height courtyard, where all the interior spaces can be overlooked, which can help us create a holistic experience for the end-users. Developed along the principles of Vastu, the common areas of the house unfold as an open plan with open living, dining, and kitchen areas. A deliberate interplay of materials and spaces defines the area between the stone wall and the house.

Planning Approach

The design adopts a 4-bay planning approach, distinguishing spaces based on their privacy requirements. An extroverted sit-out, semi-public living spaces, foyer and guest rooms, semi-private dining and play areas, home theatre, and private bedrooms and kitchen ensure harmonious yet distinct living experiences.

,The residents can communicate with each other from all the floors. Peep-out windows and balconies strategically placed on all three levels act as pockets of communication.

The skylight seeping through the open terrace on the second floor greets you at the first-floor lounge. The two cantilever balconies of the house place you in an in-between space, halfway inside the envelope of the house and openly interacting with the surroundings.

The deliberate placement of cut-outs ensures cross ventilation, allowing fresh breezes to weave through the house naturally.

Play of Light and Shadows

Skylights not only invite sunlight to dance across the surfaces but also reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day. The pattern in the duplex wall belongs to the natural element “shankha,” which represents calm and protects from negative energies.

When we talk about the interior, all rooms have different colour palettes according to the space of house members.

The material palette for this project was thoughtfully curated, with each element selected based on its function and contribution to the overall aesthetic.

The integration of white/beige floors and handcrafted furniture infused the interiors with warmth and sophistication, while glass sliding windows seamlessly connect the indoors with the lush greenery outside. 

Meticulously balancing these materials, the design achieved a soothing ambience that resonated with the homeowners’ desire for a serene lifestyle. The deliberate design of skylights added another layer of visual interest, introducing ever-changing light and shadow patterns that further enhanced the sensory experience of the space.

Design Elevation

The elevation, conceived with a vertical approach, optimises the available space with a particular focus on the element of Vayu. Thus, representing air or wind in Hindu philosophy while responding to the environmental and cultural context of the region. This thoughtful architecture and the integration of solids and voids in the form of courtyards and balconies create a dynamic interplay. Moreover, allowing for functional voids that enhance air circulation and sunlight penetration. Thus, generating an environment that feels open, airy, and harmonious with its environment. 

The terrace garden is designed in such a way as to gather a small party or meeting on an open terrace. Moreover, the seating is connected to plants to give the natural air.

The front facade has a dynamic operable perforated metal screen. Thus, creating a dappled effect when light filters through it, capitalising on the light coming in while minimising overlooking. The wrapped landscape, strategic cut-outs, skylights, terraces, interior windows, and expansive exterior windows keep the house connected within and beyond.

Fact File

Designed by: New Dimension

Project Type: Residential Architecture & Interior Design

Project Name: Kothari’s House

Location: Udaipur, Rajasthan

Year Built: 2022-2023

Duration of the project: 2 Years

Project Size: 2325 Sq.ft

Principal Architect: Ar. Saurabh Dosi

Photograph Courtesy: Pratikruti09

Structure Engineers: Er. Trilok Gupta

Project Managers: Paritosh Borana

Products/Materials/Vendors: Wallcovering / Cladding – Stone Ideas / Lighting – Kardhar Electricals Private Limited / Sanitaryware – Goodwill Enterprises / Windows – Lucky Timber / Furniture – Reflection Ahemadabad / Kitchen – Kitchen Kraft / Paint – Asian Paints

Firm’s Website Link: New Dimension

Firm’s Instagram Link: New Dimension

For Similar Project>>> This Vastu Compliant House Makes Traditions Relevant to Modern Living