A small plot size should never be an excuse for compromising on good architecture. The client of this residence received a 300 sq. ft. house on a 12′ x 22′ plot as a share after the demolition of his ancestral property. The requirements were to have two commercial units on the ground floor and one household unit on each of the other two floors. Located in one of the busiest neighborhoods in Tiruchirappalli, this residence, situated in a wall-to-wall zone, faced numerous challenges right from the design stage.
Editor’s Note: Nestled within the bustling streets of Tiruchirappalli, this home finds beauty in simplicity. It shapes itself around life’s quiet rhythms, opening up to light, air, and movement in the most natural way. Every space feels connected yet personal, making room for warmth, conversation, and a gentle sense of belonging. ~Isha Bora
This 300 Sq. Ft. House Designed for Maximum Space and Comfort | HnP Architects
The architects decided to construct a structure that would be connected to the street from all levels without compromising the function of the interior spaces. Every floor was planned with spatial flexibility in mind, featuring fewer solid walls in the interiors. The thinnai seater, designed to be next to the road, offers a comfortable and inviting spot to sit and watch the everyday activity of the street. The staircase connecting the upper two floors with the ground floor is shared with the neighboring plot.
The first floor comprises a living area, a cooking counter, a bedroom, a common toilet, and a balcony. The jaali wall on this floor, with its diagonally arranged bricks, provides adequate privacy while overlooking the street. The balcony space offers a clear view of the street below and also acts as a utility space for laundry equipment.
On the second floor, a buffer space at the entry opens into a living room with an open kitchen. A sliding folding door between the living and bedroom areas provides flexibility during special occasions. The design places the toilet area away from the bedroom, while the bathroom sits close to the bed space. Loft storage on the first and second floors sits above the toilets and bathrooms, ensuring the spaces remain as open as possible.
With just 300 sq.ft of land, every inch demands smart functionality, allowing the primary building materials to shape the aesthetic. Exposed brick walls, lime-plastered interiors, terrazzo flooring, and cement oxide surfaces proudly display their raw, natural beauty, creating a space where design and material authenticity go hand in hand.
Door and window frames feature reclaimed wood, while window grills reuse waste motor parts like chain sprockets, celebrating the incoming light.
Both the architects and clients prioritized reducing reliance on artificial lighting and ventilation during the daytime, unlike other buildings in the area. However, the wall-to-wall characteristics of the street limited possibilities for natural light and ventilation.
The east and west walls of the building shared with neighbors. However, the only options for natural light and air were from the north and south directions. Wall slits, clerestories, and skylight openings have been provided across the three floors. Furthermore, it ensures an adequate amount of natural light enters the interior spaces.
The brick jaali on the north facade not only acts as a dramatic element but also provides effective cross-ventilation. Thus, complemented by windows on the south facade. The tilted arrangement of the bricks reflects the user’s cultural values and acknowledges the nearby mosque to the west.
In a street where even a 2-wheeler is difficult to ride, the construction phase was as challenging as the design phase. Moreover, accommodating construction vehicles and mixing wet ingredients added to the complexity.
This raw and honest design challenges the local belief that architecture always needs fancy elements. It proves that thoughtful planning and basic materials can beautifully accomplish even a simple, everyday building.
Fact File
Designed by: HnP Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: The 300 Square Feet House
Location: Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
Year: 2024
Project Size: 900 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Preethi R S & Sadam Hussain K
Photograph Courtesy: cut.idam
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: HnP Architects
Firm’s Instagram Link: HnP Architects
For Similar Project>> This Aesthetic Courtyard House With Lush Landscape Design Offers A Calm Aura To The Users
The way we design spaces that people inhabit goes beyond mere functionality. It requires an intentional sensitivity to how each detail shapes the overall experience and interaction with the surrounding ecological context. Nestled in the suburban periphery of Nashik, the project occupies a 3700 sq. ft. plot located at the dead-end of a street, adjacent […]
Kerala style homes have courtyards surrounded by rooms on each side. Traditional Kerala-style homes have a central courtyard known as Nadumuttam surrounded by rooms. These homes promote natural light and ventilation according to the region’s climate. These homes, due to the feature of courtyards as their core spaces, offer beautiful opportunities for social gatherings. This […]
In a time when design is often reduced to trends, Yaahvi’s light design stands as a reminder of tactility, tradition, and craftsmanship. Founded by Nikita Bansal, who journeyed from Assam to the global design stage, champions a philosophy where contemporary aesthetics meet age-old Indian craftsmanship. In this exclusive interview, Nikita reflects on her early influences, […]
India, a nation bustling with innovation and a constant drive for progress, is increasingly embracing an unconventional yet incredibly promising architectural trend: container architecture. We are witnessing a fascinating transformation, as discarded shipping containers, once traversing the high seas laden with goods, now find new life as dynamic, sustainable, and surprisingly sophisticated living and working […]
This bungalow style house influences the site context and can be visualised in multiple facades of sharp edges & cuboidal form. Her,e salient features like U-Projection are an expression of the bench on a level one. The house divides itself into three bays. On the ground floor, where first bay acquire all public activities like […]
Imagine yourself on the terrace of your hidden mountain retreat, drinking a fresh cup of coffee as you admire the sunrise emerging from behind the rolling hills across the valley. This serene atmosphere is exactly what Hello Wood’s latest project, the Console House, is designed to offer. The Console House showcases modern architecture design while […]
As cities continue to grow and evolve, there is a growing desire to incorporate elements of rural living into urban design. By embracing rural living principles, cities can create more eco-friendly and sustainable spaces. Rural living is not just about wide-open spaces and rolling hills. It’s also about community, sustainability, and a connection to nature. […]
Located in the thriving city of Ichalkaranji, this is an example of luxury residences is a seamless blend of timeless elegance and modern sophistication. The striking exterior, adorned with brick and natural stone cladding, exudes warmth, character, and permanence. These rich textures create a visually captivating façade, harmonizing tradition with contemporary design while making a […]
Throughout history, stone has embodied permanence, artistry, and raw beauty in architecture. From the grandeur of Roman amphitheaters to the earthy elegance of modern villas, stone remains a beloved material for its strength, sustainability, and aesthetic richness. As design trends evolve toward natural materials, eco-conscious decisions, and biophilic design, stone has found new expressions — […]
The space adopts a biophilic office design and climate-responsive approach, creating a workspace that reimagines urban interiors by deeply embedding them with nature. The style is earthy, minimal, and modern with a strong contextual sensitivity to its location. Also, a lush canopy surrounds the bare-shell site on the first floor, allowing for abundant daylight and […]