Situated in a dense neighborhood of Surat, Prakashalay is a residence shaped by light, circulation, and spatial relationships, with a striking terra cotta facade. Designed by Associated Architects (I) Pvt. Ltd., an Ahmedabad-based design studio, the original residence was built in 2003 for a family of doctors on a 300 sq. yard site.
Editor’s Note: “This is a home reimagined, twice designed, once remembered, and lived in forever. Terracotta gently shapes its form while light streams through setbacks and voids. In each material, there is meaning, and its volumes, bridges between generations. Prakashalay is a legacy that not just shelters but speaks and grows over time.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
The Terra cotta Facade Frames Light and Connection at Prakashalay | Associated Architects (i) Pvt. Ltd.
Over the last two decades, their growing family and evolving needs demanded for an expansion and the client decided to double their existing plot to 600 sq. yards. Prakashalay is a 14,000 sq. ft. residence, on a narrow plot with 1:3 ratio, explores openness and transparency in a vertically stacked home, yet stays rooted in the Indian way of living.
The residence is structured with a concrete framework and traditional brick masonry. A terracotta-hued exterior defines the built form, with each floor stepping back to create setbacks, framing levels as the building rises.
This rhythmic layering not only shapes the façade but also allows light and ventilation to flow through the spaces. At the entrance, a brass door introduces a sense of warmth, contrasting with the otherwise muted material palette.
Inside, the flooring choice makes a striking impact. Leather finish black granite runs through the house, an unconventional selection in Indian households where lighter tones are often preferred due to maintenance and cleaning being an important factor.
However, given the sheer amount of natural light streaming in, the dark floors ground the space without making it feel heavy. The surfaces react to changing light conditions throughout the day, adding another dimension to the interiors.
The lower ground floor features riverwash kota stone flooring in the parking, utility areas and verandahs. The flooring transitions into polished kota stone in the interior spaces of the lower ground floor.
Art plays a very important role in this house and can also be perceived as a material for the dimensionality, texture and warmth that it adds to the space. The entrance features a wall art over the console, backed by wooden posts and a cane mesh that functions as a screen.
At AAPL, the design team decided to challenge the site constraints and ensure maximum visual and physical connections between each space.
At the center of it all is a staggered double-height volume flowing through the family room and the reading lounge. As a result, it carves out a sense of openness while maintaining a hierarchy of privacy.
This core allows for uninterrupted sightlines between floors, reinforcing a sense of togetherness within the multi-generational household.
The double-height reading lounge is a key spatial moment, defined by an 18-foot-tall red artwork that anchors the space. Across the house, colors flow with intention—some bring calm, others spark energy. Together, they ultimately shape the feeling of being at home.
Few families offer the rare opportunity to design a project twice—two decades apart, on the same land, for the same people.
Having understood how the family lived in their previous home, the architects were able to respond to both past and present. Consequently, the architects crafted this new iteration to support how the family would live in the future.
The result is a house that is deeply personal and rooted in identity. Yet, it remains adaptable, embracing change while staying connected to its origins.
Fact File
Designed by: Associated Architects (i) Pvt. Ltd.
Project Type: Residential Architecture & Interior Design
Project Name: Prakashalay
Location: Surat, India
Year Built: 2025
Built Area: 14,000 Sq. ft
Principal Architects: Ar. Bhavik Nandi
Photograph Courtesy: Murtaza Gandhi
Interior Stylist: saniya.tadha
Senior Architect: Trupti Modi
Senior Interior Designer: Hiral Shah
Associate Interior Designer: Riddish Kataria
Architect/ PR Head: Hitarth Nandi
Firm’s Instagram Link: Associated Architects (i) Pvt. Ltd.
Firm’s Facebook Link: Associated Architects (i) Pvt. Ltd.
For Similar Projects>>>3BHK Gandhinagar Home Designed With Simplicity And Harmony
Editor’s Note: There’s something truly special about homes crafted with thought and care—where every corner and detail speaks to its users, becoming part of their memories. For siblings Akhila and Kaushik, Sona Reddy Studio brought this vision to life in One Summer House, a rustic farmhouse tucked within the vibrant city of Hyderabad. Designed with […]
Editor’s Note: Matharoo Associates created this unique expression of design, where textured concrete façades hide quietly behind the surrounding landscape that has been carefully retained. With thoughtful deliberation, they achieve a perfect balance where practicality, creativity, and functionality come together seamlessly. As sunlight falls across the surfaces, it creates an intangible texture, almost like watching […]
This southwest-facing bungalow, with golden accents in its interiors, is a refined expression of contextual and climate-responsive modern architecture. The home embraces its orientation with an intelligent façade design that balances aesthetic appeal and environmental performance. With the sun’s harshest rays hitting the structure in the latter half of the day, the architects incorporated a […]
This North Facing villa opens towards the East to always soak in the cool and diffused light. Its orientation is mindful of the adjoining clubhouse and its expansive garden. The planning allows the villa’s private lawn to visually merge with it, creating a larger and cohesive space. With a connection to the open space at […]
An Urban Sanctuary Woven with Craft, Warmth, and Light Explicitly tucked into a quiet residential pocket, this home with a jaali facade is a thoughtfully layered expression of calm, character, and craftsmanship. Every surface and corner is rooted in intention — where light, material, and memory meet. The Jaali Design in this Layered Home Exudes […]
The design of the house prioritises connectivity to nature by incorporating green elements like vertical gardens or landscaped courtyards. This is achieved through various means, such as large windows framing scenic views, outdoor living spaces seamlessly merging with the surrounding landscape. The emphasis on connectivity to nature creates a serene and harmonious environment, fostering a […]
“Viraam,” a 4000 sq ft house design that embodies its literal translation: “a pause.” The vision is to create a sanctuary for relaxation, introspection, and to escape from the constant demands of daily life – an urban void for personal retreat. Editor’s Note: “Viraam is not just a house, it’s a pause. A place to […]
Set in the serene landscape of Nashik, the Dabholkar Residence by GDA is a home, embracing stone clad walls. Here, tradition and contemporary design exist in harmony. Designed to reflect the family’s deep connection to tradition and art while embracing the style of contemporary living, it is a space where architectural details, heritage furniture, artwork […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]
The door design for main door is a defining feature of any Indian home, embodying both style and cultural significance. In a country rich with diverse architectural traditions, the entrance to your home reflects not only personal taste but also cultural heritage. Whether you’re drawn to the intricate carvings of traditional Indian door designs or […]