A Luxury Apartment Building that Combines the Nature of Communal-Living with a Sense of Privacy | SJK Architects
One of the ways in which space-starved cities today can cater to rising populations, while tackling ever-increasing land costs, is multi-storeyed apartment living. However, in metropolis of Chennai, is a luxury apartment building that combines the nature of communal-living with a sense of privacy. The affluent, residential neighborhood, colloquially called “Billionaires’ Row,” continues to be characterized by swanky and independent villas.
With the Boat Club Apartments, SJK Architects set a new precedent for residential design in the locality. The building, standing on a 10,000-square-feet trapezoidal corner plot, offers four 4BHK, duplex apartments. It ranges from 3500 sq.ft to 4500 sq.ft, each with its own private entry on separate levels. The apartments provide naturally-lit and ventilated spaces that provide residents privacy along with the opportunity to socialise and connect with nature.
Editor’s Note: Housing design parameters that are inclusive towards its impact on the socio-economic and cultural strata of its locality can truly be classified as a success. SJK architects, extended the fate of these apartments to climatic responsibilities as well, altogether while taking care of the details that shape the volume. The coupling of concrete and wood is sublime in appearance. ~ Nishal Sevak
Balancing Connection and Privacy – Villas in the Sky
The design of the apartments unites the communal aspect of apartment living with the private nature of independently-owned villas.
The building is a five-storey structure with parking at the lowermost level and four duplex apartments on the floors above. The arrangement of the apartments interlock around a central core, such that each level houses two residential units. Assessment of every duplex is from a personal entry on separate floors, creating villas in the sky.
The central core is a sun-filled atrium, comprising an elevator and a staircase with deep slabs for landings at all levels. It becomes the public heart of the building, encouraging the residents to soak in light, exercise, and commune with neighbors.
Unlike most luxury apartment buildings where separate verticals are provided for supporting staff – the country still remains divided on socio-economic lines. The architects have consciously chosen to allow movement through a central core to encourage a more inclusive way of living.
The principles of Vastu Shastra determine the layouts of the units, a traditional system of architecture based on ancient wisdom, which many believe attracts positive cosmic energy.
A stringent requirement from the building owner, this guided the placement and orientation of different spaces. The master bedrooms are located on the southwest and the kitchens on the northwest and southeast, and all other spaces swivel around it. Further, orientation of the entry doors are towards the north, and the position of the beds are in the east-west direction.
The intensity of Chennai’s heat, humidity and rain is difficult to reign in with high-performance windows and sealants. As a result, transitional spaces are essential to temper the extreme weather conditions, while bringing in light and fresh air.
In the traditional coastal homes of Chennai, people would spend their days lying somewhere between the inside and the outside. These include internal courtyards, and semi-open spaces shaded by sloping overhangs, the most conspicuous of which is the verandah. The courtyard translates into a mechanically ventilated central atrium, horizontal projections into chajjas (overhangs), and verandahs into balconies.
The balconies connect the residents with the magnificent view of the surrounding raintrees, and allow in pleasant coastal winds. While builders typically provide only a small 4-feet-deep balcony, as permitted by Chennai’s development control rules, the architects have an additional depth of 4 feet for the balconies. The resulting 8-feet-deep balconies can accommodate a seating, allowing people to sit, relax and enjoy the view.
The design of balcony windows consist of openable teakwood shutters and fixed to allow light and wind while preventing dust. In addition, recessed casement windows within each duplex unit ensure cross-ventilation, thus offering respite from humidity. The installation of doors and windows is with pleated, side-slide mosquito meshes and shutters to keep insects out.
On the façade, projections and recesses repeat at alternate levels, generating a playful exterior that engages with the streets.
Sadarhalli Grey Granite covers the facade, which insulates the building by creating a 40 mm wide air gap. Hence, it leads to a temperature drop of at least four degrees celsius between the outside and the inside.
Expression of luxury at the Boat Club Apartments building, is through a minimal aesthetic, comprising a limited selection of meticulously-finished materials.
Furthermore, Sadarhalli Grey Granite dominates as a finish throughout, pushing boundaries in the application of a single material. The application of stone is on floors, in flutes on the atrium, the boundary walls, and wall cladding on the façade. Whites and greys of the stone bathes the exterior, and browns of the timber, finished with precision.
Fact File
Designed by: SJK Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Boat Club Apartments
Location: Chennai, India
Year Built: September 2020
Built-up Area: 23680.6 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Sarika Shetty & Shimul Javeri Kadri
Team Design Credits: Shimul Javeri Kadri, Sarika Shetty, Bhavin Patel, Nikita Shahadadpuri, Riddhi Shah & Priyata Bosamia
Photograph Courtesy: Niveditaa Gupta
Products/Materials/Vendors: Sanitary Fittings – Grohe India Pvt Ltd / Sanitary Fixtures/ceramic ware & Accessories -Kohler India Pvt Ltd / Spotboy, AbbyiKapp – Abby Lighting / Surface mounted Lights – Hazel Lighting / Exterior Light fixtures -K-LiTE / Glass & False ceilings – Saint Gobain India & Gyproc India / Cement – Ultratech cement / Air Conditioners – Daikin VRV Units / Diesel Generators – Caterpillar Diesel Generators / Electrical Wires – Finolex & Polycab / Tile Italia – Marazzi porcelain marble slabs, Akar Granites, S-World Floors
Firm’s Website Link: SJK Architects
Firm’s Instagram Link: SJK Architects
Firm’s Facebook Link: SJK Architects
For Similar Project >>> A Striking Brick House with Hints of Traditional Design and Essence of Reformed Living
Paati-veedu in the Tamil language means grandmother’s home. The client wanted a traditional courtyard house after having lived in a multilevel home with limited light, ventilation, and disjointed spaces. The site is on a 40×60 ft (2400 sq. ft.) property with the north side facing the street. Editor’s Note: “Rooted in nostalgia yet modern in […]
Coloured glass is incorporated into the east facing elevation of the house with a plan designed to interact beautifully with morning sunlight. As the sun rises, light filters through the coloured glass, casting vibrant, colourful rays throughout the interior and creating a dynamic, uplifting atmosphere. Each piece transforms into a radiant, gem-like feature when struck […]
Tiles for walls are more than just practical elements of your home interiors—they are design statements that bring both beauty and functionality to your spaces. Have you ever wondered how a simple change in wall tiles can transform an entire room? With endless options in materials, textures, and designs, tiles can enhance any room, from […]
The vision for this Kerala traditional house project was to provide the client with luxurious space and finishes. The client wanted a fusion of traditional elements with all the functionalities of a modern house that can accommodate their extended family members too. Elements of traditional Kerala architecture like the shaded veranda and the multi-levelled sloping […]
The Punjab home design is an oasis of solitude, where the structure itself turns inward, embracing the idea of seclusion. Strategic use of barriers like landscaping, walls, and enclosed courtyards ensures privacy without sacrificing the connection to the natural environment. Large windows and skylights are utilized selectively, allowing for natural light to flood into the […]
Ar. Sahiba Madan, founder of Insitu and KalakaariHaath, shares her journey that goes beyond trends, to timeless design. Her inspiration from Indian culture, art, and artists is reflected throughout her journey. After pursuing architecture as a core, Sahiba established her home decor and furnishing and an interior design studio in 2014 and 2018 respectively. She […]
Given a marble’s beauty and timelessness, the variety and types of marble are extensive and boundless in the modern world. Different types exhibit different colors, patterns, and textures based on their origin. That being said, selecting the right type and variety that suits your space is crucial to justify the beauty of marble. Regardless of […]
Marble bathroom designs transform your bathroom interiors to a great extent, considering marble’s purity, shine, and grace. With bold veining, rich texture, and different colorations, marble can transform an ordinary bathroom into a different level of refined relaxation. From sleek, minimalistic designs to strong statement pieces, marble suits your styles, rendered to be equally complimentary […]
The east facing house is part of a dense residential neighbourhood in Udaipur. The client brief required us to design a multiple-generation home with multiple purposes. The architecture intent was to carve out volumes and intersperse the client’s requirements with spatial voids, gardens, and terraces. This House Facing East is in a Dense Residential Neighborhood […]
When you walk into a room, what’s the first thing you notice in the interiors? The furniture, the walls, or the ceiling? Often overlooked, the ceiling plays a significant role in defining the ambiance of a room. If you’re looking to add some flair, sophistication, or a modern touch to your living room, false ceiling […]