Every project, regardless of its size, presents its unique set of challenges, from initial client meetings to the final handover. In this particular project, Architects at work encountered three distinct challenges.
Editor’s note: Swapna residence shows a unique take on elevational treatment. The front facade functions in three divisional sections, showing an equal amount of closed and open spaces. The exteriors are compelling that way and the interiors give off a charisma. There are a lot of factors involved from the common areas to the private areas. ~ Nishal Sevak
Architects at Work present a uniquely enticing facade | Architects at Work
Firstly, I had to meet the client’s requirements within a limited 600 sq yrd plot situated on a bustling main road. It was crucial to fulfill the specific demands of each family member within this confined space.
To address this, strategic decisions were made, such as placing all services on the roadside to minimize noise, elevating the bungalow for parking beneath the garden and increased privacy, and positioning living spaces inward on the north side, resulting in a beautifully integrated placement of stairs and passages that fostered connectivity between different areas.
Secondly, the execution phase posed challenges related to the availability of skilled labor and materials as per our detailed plans.
Overcoming hurdles, such as sourcing materials from neighbouring cities and ensuring meticulous supervision at every step, was time-consuming but essential.
The bungalow featured intricate elements like a cantilevered temple mass, MS frames for creepers, wooden carvings on mirrors, Italian floor inlays, intricate patterns from floor to ceiling, and precisely finished MS stairs, all of which required dedicated efforts to execute.
Thirdly, the facade treatment was a challenge, especially in considering the sun’s direction and its impact on the residents inside. To mitigate this, deliberate decisions were made, such as blocking the south and west sun with cavity walls and placing services on these sides to reduce heat transfer.
Angled windows were strategically placed to facilitate natural ventilation, while cutouts and spacious balconies on the north and east sides allowed soft morning sun inside. Additionally, large north-facing windows provided shaded garden views, enhancing the indoor-outdoor living experience. Courtyards in toilet areas resolved light and ventilation issues effectively.
Noteworthy moments included the placement of 150x150mm MS box sections on the 2nd and 1st floors with the help of a crane and skilled labor, bringing the elevation to life.
Some decisions, like orienting the entire bungalow inwards, initially raised client doubts but gradually became clear as the bungalow took shape, emphasising the importance of strategic planning.
In the end, I embrace challenges in each project, as they transform the process into a rewarding journey. Fulfilling a client’s dream and turning it into reality is the ultimate goal, making every challenge worthwhile.
I believe the universe operates in a complex interplay of influences, where everything affects and is affected by each other.
In this intricate web of existence, we hold the view that the mere existence of a building is not a standalone occurrence. For any entity to truly thrive and endure, it must be deeply influenced by its needs and context.
This particular bungalow exemplifies this perspective vividly. It has been profoundly shaped by a multitude of surrounding elements such as the road layout, adjacent plots, the path of the sun, the aspirations of the client, and the specific conditions of the site.
Each of these factors has contributed to a series of decisions that render this project uniquely distinct. The design of the facades, the layout, and the orientation, as mentioned earlier, are all intricately interwoven with these contextual influences, making this project a testament to the harmonious fusion of architecture and its surroundings
Fact File
Designed by: Architects at Work
Project Type: Residential Architecture & Interior Design
Project Name: Swapna Residence
Location: Himatnagar, Gujarat
Year Built: 2022
Duration of the project: 2.5 years
Plot Area: 5500 sq.ft
Built-up Area: 6760 sq.ft
Principal Architects: Shweta Pandya, Krishna Patel
Photograph Courtesy: Dhrupad Shukla
Products / Materials / Vendors: Finishes – Texture, Veneer, Paint Etc. / Wallcovering / Cladding – Texture, Stone / Construction Materials – Metal, R.C.C, Brick / Lighting – Hybec / Sanitaryware – Jaquare / Windows – Aluminium Section / Furniture – Onsite / Flooring – Motto / Kitchen – Mastero Furniture / Paint – Asian PaintArtefacts – Veolin / Hardware – Hettich.
Firm’s Website Link: Architects at Work
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