Residence Designed on the Notions of Swastika | Reasoning Instincts Architecture Studio
The Portal House is conceived with the idea of creating multiple overlaps of personal and public domains catering to the idea of solitude as well as gathering.The residence is composed on the notions of “swastika”. The centre holds ‘the house’ which is the heart of the residence and the four radiating arms orient the bedrooms or ‘cabanas’. The spaces in between this massing organization are the transitional spaces which define the essence of the overall experience by blurring boundaries between inside and outside. These spaces have been articulated uniquely as decked spaces, open dry courtyards, covered canopies, reflective pools, connecting pathways etc.
The access to the residence is celebrated through a six-meter-wide pedestrian ramp restricting the vehicular movement into the site. This ramp elicits the sense of distinctiveness and tranquillity. The slow approach delays the sense of arrival and serves as a transitional zone between the hustle bustle of urban life and the calmness in solitude. Strategically aligned pigmented concrete landscape walls dictate the movement pattern within the residence in congruence with the position of the existing trees.
ArchitectsReasoning Instincts Architecture Studio
LocatioUmargam, India
Architects in ChargeUjjaval Parekh, Bhairavi Dhoot
Area665.0 m2
Project Year2017
PhotographKrunal Mistry
Manufacturers: Nitco Limited, Hybec
The ‘house’ and the ‘cabanas’ are the main components of the design. Each of these built components is wrapped with a distinct corten steel portal so that their fragmented spaces get artistically composed as one entity. The portals not only bind the elements of the ‘house’ and the ‘cabanas’ but also act as a common expression throughout the site. They mark the position of these components in the scheme of the “swastika”. The filtration of light from the high canopies of the trees inspired the design of the perforation pattern of the corten steel panels. This helped achieve a contrasting expression of crisp metal surfaces with organic and soft canopies.
Taking forward the concept of the ‘served and the servant spaces’ each built component is split into two volumes, wherein the services are housed in lower volumes and the livable and functional spaces are contained in the higher volume.
‘The house’edifices public spaces such as living, dining and recreational areas. With the intent to extend the living areas into transitional spaces, there is no formal entry. Instead, large openable surfaces in clear glass across the sixteen meters long north facade encourage uninterrupted visual and physical flow between the inside and outside spaces. The presence of a rock face Jaisalmer wall across the open courtyard within ‘the house’ directs the connectivity of these transparent spaces.
Architects: Reasoning Instincts Architecture Studio
Location: Umargam, India
Architects in Charge: Ujjaval Parekh, Bhairavi Dhoot
Area : 665.0 m2
Project Year: 2017
Photographs: Krunal Mistry
Architects Team: Krunal Mistry, Meel Panchal
Structure Design: Rajeev Shah & Associates, Mumbai
Landscape Design: Green Pastels, Brinda Pancholi, Ahmedabad
Corten Steel Fabricator: Capsicum Wall Ideas Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad
Layers don’t just sit here; they breathe, shift, and whisper through light. The Screen, set in the sun-drenched fabric of Solapur, Maharashtra, isn’t trying to scream luxury. It doesn’t need to. It moves quieter than that, more composed, more intentional, like a pause button carved into the chaos of the city. Spread across 4,125 sq. […]
This project is located in Ben Tre, Vietnam, and was completed in 2021. With a total area of 430m2, the project set within concrete vaults includes 3 bedrooms and one living room, each with a view of the nearby river. Concrete Vaults Form The Main Identity Of This Vietnamese Home | VTN Architects The ground […]
We conceive EMA not as a conventional architectural object, but as a living continuum of memory, ecology, and craft. Located in Malappuram, Kerala, the 1,700 sq. ft. residence, designed with thermal comfort draws from vernacular wisdom and the philosophy of the Kaavu—the sacred grove—where humans, nature, and other living beings coexist without hierarchy. Within this […]
Set within the lush landscapes of Bharanikavu in Kollam, Arcade – a single storey residence that blends tropical modern architecture with colonial and traditional elements. Designed for a businessman, his wife (a teacher) and their two daughters, this house showcases a shared interest for elegance rooted in familiarity. This Single Storey Home Sits Amidst Lush […]
Noah’s Ark is a contemporary residence designed as a calm and welcoming home with a clear planning. The client’s brief was to create a home that felt simple, warm, and timeless without becoming overly minimal or impersonal. Noah’s Ark responds by blending clear planning, honest materials, and personal elements, resulting in a house that is […]
Located in HMT Layout, Bangalore, Isha_Srinidhi Nilaya stands as a multi-generational home designed on a compact 60×40 ft (2400 sq. ft) East facing plot, with a total built-up area of 8000 sq. ft. East Facing a lush public park, the residence responds to its urban setting through a layered design that balances privacy with a […]
Nestled within a 30×40 ft plot is the compact house design in Banashankari 6th Stage, Bengaluru. This residence for the Ellappans, reimagines traditional Indian living in a contemporary, spatially dynamic form. Designed for a family of three- Mr. Ellappan, his wife, and their teenage son- the house expresses a deep connection to vernacular roots while […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
Architecture font choices go beyond style—they shape how your work is perceived. From portfolios to presentations, the right architecture font instantly communicates clarity, precision, and personality. As architects, we design not just with space but with every detail, including typography. Selecting a strong architecture font shows your commitment to visual storytelling and design consistency. In […]
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 […]