In the heart of every home, the Angan stands as a sacred court. It is a personal yet public space that witnesses the playful childhoods, festive celebrations, gatherings, and even tranquility for one. This project makes an honest attempt to reintroduce the idea of a court in the design, amalgamating it with modern needs, embodying the essence of courtyard architecture.
Editor’s Note: “Breathing through the courtyard, Angan is rooted in heritage narrating stories in stillness. Exposed brick and metal fins echo the warmth of old wadas amidst open spaces, inviting for conversations. It is a house where nature unfolds organically, time slows, space connects, and architecture nurtures the acts of everyday life.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
This Courtyard Architecture Reintroduces the Sacred Court in Modern Homes | Studio Hu’mane
The client spent their early days in the old city of Pune. The process started with taking references from the core city, the site being located nearby. The Mutha River divides two distinct fabrics: the old, dense fabric and the new, scattered development. Despite its density, the old fabric has developed organically and therefore lacks defined boundaries. Narrow lanes, chowks, and courtyards blur these lines, fostering engagement.
In contrast, the new development that emphasizes planning has resulted in gated communities and various forms of compartmentalization. Moreover, the site sits within a gated community, inspiring a deeper exploration of de-compartmentalization. However, drawing references from the old fabric and embracing the idea of a courtyard, the design integrates this traditional element found in old wadas.
Furthermore, the design gives architectural language to the idea of de-compartmentalization through a courtyard, reflecting traditional old wadas, which also align with the client’s brief. The angan, or the courtyard here, controls the compartments (programs) by balancing privacy. Moreover, it brings in transparency, and multifunctionality.
The form development started evolving with two blocks that connected through the service core and formed a courtyard. The design of the central courtyard becomes the focal point of the structure where the idea of inside-outside connectivity is formed. This connectivity in design is not only overlooked outside but also inside the house. The angan (courtyard) acts as the exterior facade for the private spaces inside.
The warm material palette draws inspiration from the language of traditional wadas, therefore the use of exposed bricks, wood, and gray metals. This warm language is balanced with green landscapes and hardscapes in the interior and at the peripheries.
The overall structure appears as a lightbox, especially because of the well-lit courtyard. The use of transparent partitions like louvers, screens, and fins keeps the interior visually connected, bringing in natural light and ventilation as well. The ground floor houses parking and utility, with the first floor opening up at the courtyard with public and semi-private programs around, the private bedrooms taking up the second floor, and opening up in the same courtyard.
The facade was developed with the concept of Jharokha, (a traditional bay window), an architectural element with intricate design that is primarily climate responsive and also fosters connectivity. An attempt to reimagine this element in a modern and minimal way, it evolved from wooden louvers to finally into minimal metal fins that complement the brick facade.
Fact File
Designed by: Studio Hu’mane
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: THE ANGAN (COURTYARD) HOUSE
Location: Pune, Maharashtra
Year Built: 2024
Principal Architect: Ar. Sunil Hu’mane
Photograph Courtesy: Rahul Shah
Façade aluminium fins: Hunter Douglas Architectural
Sanitaryware: GROHE, TOTO
Brick Facade: Jay Jalaram Bricks
Source: Archello
Firm’s Instagram Link: Studio Hu’mane
For Similar Project >> A Nuanced Fusion of Minimalism and Scandinavian style, this Home is a Testament to Balance of Simplic
The contemporary style architecture house is located in the lively urban context of Thaltej, Ahmedabad nestled within a private cluster of four bungalows. Though the home enjoys the benefits of community, it also maintains a high degree of privacy and seclusion. This is achieved through a carefully considered spatial arrangement, despite the proximity of a […]
Situated in the bustling residential neighbourhood of Koorkenchery, Thrissur, Dr. Lakshmi’s residence stands as a refined architectural response to a narrow 15.53 cent plot. The 4214.07 sq ft home is a seamless blend of modern traditional kerala house, with an Indonesian inspired grey white exterior that exudes sophistication. The design strategically employs linear planning, integrating […]
Imagine a home that breathes with the breeze, where sunlight filters through lush foliage, and the vibrant hues of nature are an extension of your living space. Tropical houses are architectural marvels; a profound dialogue between human habitation and the natural world, born from centuries of adapting to warm, humid climates. Far from rigid structures, […]
In the heart of Bangalore’s expanding peripheries, amidst a landscape of dry earth and scattered industrial activity, Elements of Nature emerges not just as a marketing and sales office but as an orchestrated experience in office design architecture—an architectural dialogue between structure, materiality, and the senses. Designed by Sneha Ostawal, founder of Source Architecture, this […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]
This simple farmhouse design is a humble residence that responds to the climate and site. It is a fun fact that the house is both an inward and outward looking house at the same time. One of the USPs of the simple farmhouse design project would be that it connects well with the most playful […]