The Sky Pulled Into The Lower Work Floors And The Earth Pushed Upwards To The Upper Levels Of Habitation In This Residence : House of Courts | Dada And Partners
Visit : Dada & Partners
This 500 Sq.m Urban plot is programmed as a sustainable live-work unit with the lower two levels as the studio space and the upper two as their family residence. The most fundamental ambition that generated this live-work typology was to pull the Sky into the lower work floors and to push the Earth upwards to the upper levels of habitation.
The urban residence is defined by the three voids that punctuate built mass to varying depths. These courts help carve out highly private open spaces and yet deeply connect the residents with the rhythm of the sun and wind outside. The east and west facing courts straddle the center of the house and fill up the heart of the home with dramatically and constantly shifting light and shade.
A lantern like, steel and glass stair hall, connects the first floor residence with the street level entrance. As one ascends through the concrete and brick clad sculptural volume and towards the upper foyer, it reveals the north facing prayer space. A precarious hanging cast-in-situ concrete ‘cross’ anchors this nebulous space. The family lounge and dining are flanked on either side by the screened east and west court. The west court, is designed as an earth-filled concrete vessel. This raised court complete with a mature Gulmohar tree, connects the upper level residence with the terra-firma.
The second floor holds the master bedroom, children’s bedrooms, and the upper family lounge with large windows opening out to the east and west courts. All three bedrooms are positioned along either of the courts and the outer face as well, allowing for ample light and cross ventilation.
The design took the early modernist brick and concrete design vocabulary and adorned it with a metal tectonic to get to a more contemporary and lighter tectonic. Throughout the residence and the office, the bespoke detailing of elements such as staircase, metal railing, concrete panel walls, brick patterns, Kota flooring with brass inlay, are focused in reviving the craftsmanship and detailing. The most commonly used finishing materials end up evoking a higher sensory experience.
The use of unpretentious early modernist material and the oscillation sun created a constantly changing scenery inside the house and momentary drama unfold in ordinary spaces otherwise designed for daily life.
FACT FILE:
Designed by : DADA & Partners
Project Type : Residence
Project Name : House of Courts
Location : Gurugram
Year built: 2020
Size : sq feet : 6000 ft²
Junior Architects : Saurabh Syal, Debdeep Dam
Principal Architect : Mukul Arora
Interior Design : Lopez Design Studio, DADA & Partners
Photography Courtesy : Lightzone India
Products and Materials : Manufacturers : Toto, thyssenkrupp, ALCOI, Dorma, Sollfege | Furniture Design : Lopez Design Studio | Home Automation System : Sollfege | Aluminum Work : ALCOI Building Systems | Steel Fabrication : Usmaan Steel works Structure : P Arora & Associates Pvt Ltd | Building Contractor : Sugan Lal Contractors | Energy and Sustainable Consultants : PSI energy | Solar Energy Consultant : Bhambri enterprise.
Products and Materials :
Manufacturers : Toto, thyssenkrupp, ALCOI, Dorma, Sollfege | Furniture Design : Lopez Design Studio | Home Automation System : Sollfege | Aluminum Work : ALCOI Building Systems | Steel Fabrication : Usmaan Steel works
Structure : P Arora & Associates Pvt Ltd | Building Contractor : Sugan Lal Contractors | Energy and Sustainable Consultants : PSI energy | Solar Energy Consultant : Bhambri enterprise.
Colour Palate :
Firm’s Website : Dada And Partners
Firm’s Facebook Page : Dada And Partners
Firm’s Instagram Profile : Dada And Partners
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]