With the increasing amount of time spent indoors in the past 2 years, there’s a rise in wanting spacious living environments fusing biophilic design. With that becoming a new normal, the JS Residence grabbed this opportunity which quite often is a challenge if not treated right, the double height. It enhances the open floor plan, blurs the spatial divisions by becoming a focal point. Not only visually does this extend as a spatial feature, but psychologically too.  A moment of pause is created discerning the emotional connection with the biophilic design elements on the wall while one dines. These illustrations extend on all levels synonymous with the wilderness being accessible to all. As an endnote, reviving the intimate connection of the built structures with different aspects of nature is what we have started looking for, globally. ~Yamini Vaswani

Biophilic Design and Concrete Minimalism are Striking Undertones in JS Residence, Vadodara | The Crossboundaries

Visit: The Crossboundaries

If a building is compared to a box, its openings introduce outdoors to indoors bringing in greenness through biophilic design and natural light. This modernist residential building developed in a linear plot of 2600sq.ft. is sandwiched between two buildings where it shares a wall on its left. This leaves the other three sides to become a source of light.

The architecture of the house clearly establishes harmony with the use of different natural materials. Also showcasing how magnificently and seamlessly the different shapes, colors and textures and elements of biophilic design of these materials combine and complement each other. Contrast in elevation can be seen through the play of solids and voids like a cantilevered exposed concrete cube, protruding towards the front. A fabricated canopy in ACP finish on top of this concrete cube acts as a façade element as well as a railing for the terrace. Horizontal aluminum box sections in graphite grey add to the linearity in the frontage.

Access to the house is guided by the cavity wall cladded in black kadappa stone which runs from the foyer to the terrace enhancing the verticality. This highlights the character of the main door which acts as the focal point for any façade. A 10 ft. tall door reaching from top to bottom is installed making the entrance look grand with a linear tinted grey mirror throughout. A slit on the right of the door has fixed clear glass, which gives a glimpse of the sculptural wall inside the house.

The main door opens up to the cast in situ wall art of Lord Mahaveer in concrete keeping the first appearance elusive. The living room, family seating, and dining area flow seamlessly into each other. Open floor layout creates an inviting atmosphere and eases the movement between the spaces.

To intensify the linearity of the space, the accent wall consists of exposed linear bricks. Huge wall openings are carved out allowing the indoors to allow more light in the space. Openings in the living room extends outwards to the garden in the entrance, acting as a balcony that brings the outdoors inside visually inspired from biophilic design. These openings are covered with sliders having a horizontal grid pattern complementing the linearity of the space.

Keeping the ceiling clean, only dim-able profile lights are seen running throughout. Ceiling heights play a major role in expressing the volume of a certain space. The High ceiling in the living room further extends to the 12 feet height ceiling in family seating area to create a sense of coziness. The interiors see a flourish of green Kota stone throughout. Keeping the mood board subtle, colours of curtains and walls are in tints of greys and light pink. Textured details like a patterned rug and vibrantly upholstered sofa infuse the rooms with colour. Adjacent to the family seating we have a dining area. Wimborne white levitated dining table is detailed out giving a minimalistic and clean look. Natural light is brought in through a slit from the terrace in a way where it never gets dark. The lift shaft is placed almost in the central core, which opens to passages on all the floors. This wall consists of immense wall art which runs throughout till the top and acts as an accent wall for dining space.  Profile of staircase is seen from here and the wall under the staircase is pushed inside to enhance the stairs and space under stairs is used as a storage room.

Pristine white and cheerful in azure blue, the kitchen catches one’s eyesight. Stunning finishes and admirable color pallet adds up to it, making it look clean sunny.

The guest room has a balanced mood board with walls exhibited in navy blue and fog grey. A distinct material added to this composition is wicker cane work with wooden frames in bed back as well as wardrobe. Adequate amount of natural light source through huge punctures in two walls opposite to the bed.

The staircase is cast in concrete and black kadappa stone is layered just on treads with an offset on sides to show their profile as a design element. The handrail is custom-designed, clear glass framed with MS box in matte black powder coating. No trace of wall light is seen through the staircase area as a linear light inserted in a wooden round bar, 9 inches above the staircase runs parallelly. This upside throw light enhances the consistent vertical grooves adding up to the heights.

Across the first floor, the elder son’s master bedroom flooring is covered with green kota stone in galicha pattern. Illuminating wall art and the hues of peach and greys leave the room looking fresh. Storage in this room is discreetly scooped out but barely visible since it is flushed, including its handles. Tv unit has an exposed concrete back which accessorizes the ceiling with surface lights and an exposed electrical grid. Optimizing the space, a folding study table is provided which barely takes up space and is hardly noticeable when closed.

The parents’ bedroom on the other hand has the same flooring continued till the bed back. The material palette of this room takes an interesting turn as it consists of a wooden bed and nightstands and an exposed concrete ceiling. Flamboyant minimal art, as well as a night lamp inspired by the crescent moon, is crafted on the wall. Day bed around the corner with window throughout brings in adequate amount of natural light making the room look light-flooded.

The younger son’s bedroom on other hand had contradicting visuals, as the colour scheme was a bit dramatic due to the play of bold black and smoky greys. The floor is 4ft raised compared to other rooms making it look more comforting. Balcony in this room connects to the frontage of the house. The railing is barely noticeable as it is just a sleek MS profile attached with glass using studs from the front. Creating an interesting ceiling using an exposed light web.

A flush door in dark grey PU merges with the wall but opens into the dresser. The study desk is in subtle white which merges with the wall seamlessly. Passage on this floor leads further to the second floor.

The entertainment room on this floor is an exciting space to step in. Acoustically treated walls are seen all around with precise linear grooves in deep blue. Depressed perforations cast in the slab are aesthetically pleasing but cater for the acoustic requirements as it cuts off the noise. Keeping the ceiling clean, both grooves on the wall and elliptical shapes cast on the ceiling are highlighted using a two-way profile running through the periphery on all sides of the room. The avocado green couch elevates the mood making it look lively. The bar unit is suspended to the ceiling allowing it to float and look feathery light. The washroom on this floor is discretely splashed in scarlet red. The micro concrete is laid over tiles. Landscape pictures in black and white are mounted on the wall.

Fact File

Designed By: The Crossboundaries

Typology: Residence Architecture and Interior Design

Project Name: JS Residence

Location: Vadodara, Gujarat

Plot Area: 2700 sq.ft.

Built-up: 5000 sq.ft.

Project Size: 5200 sq.ft.

Year: 2021

Duration: 18 Months

Project Cost Appx: 3600 INR/sq.ft.

Text Credits: Niharika Joshi

Principal Architect: Harsh Boghani

Design Team: Vijay Dabhi, Forum Jariwala, Rishabh Prajapati, Neel Patel, Riya Patel, Sanket Prajapati, Harsh Boghani & Shailesh Boghani

Photography Credits: Umang Shah

Consultants for the project

Civil: Bharat Mistry

Structure Engineer: Anil Mistry

Contractor: Bharat & Jaymin Mistry

Products and Materials: Wall covering/cladding: The Brickstore | Lighting: The Light Box | Sanitaryware: Kohler | Facade Systems: Cara Door and Window Systems | Furniture: Better Living | Flooring: Baba Marble | Kitchen: Prato Kitchens | Artwork: Abir and Ashish Chakroborty

Firm’s Website Link: The Crossboundaries

Firm’s Facebook Link: The Crossboundaries

Firm’s Instagram Link: The crossboundaries

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