Selling a vision of a lifestyle is part of our jobs as architects. We seldom come across projects, where the brief is to adjust the design around the client’s lifestyle. We had an instance like this where we were asked to create a house with ample natural light yet introverted, a house with many windows yet private, and a house that is tall yet feels humble.
Editor’s note: As rays of the sun penetrate through the volumetric form and rectangular cutouts, Everyday House lives in a state of irony. The play of light and shadows occurs in the most non-monotonous way, making it the distinct element that ties the areas and not the sprawling staircase, which at first sight seems obvious. Connection, togetherness, and the effort to become one are jubilant. ~ Nishal Sevak
In this residence, natural light is the Showstopper | Studio Bāham Architects
The site, located in Vadodara, made sense to incorporate a courtyard-like situation as Vadodara lies in a hot, dry climate. Challenge was to carve this out from a small plot size of 1100 sq.ft, and still manage to add all functional requirements.
The ground floor is reserved for utilities and parking, creating a stilt situation for the house to sit upon. The light well is strategically placed within the house to allow even distribution of the site into two parts. The built mass is staggered to allow for maximum utilization of volume.
The level difference between various spaces is enough to create a sense of privacy within them. In situations of split levels, often, the staircase is the core that holds all spaces together. It is the protagonist in the house, everything revolves around it. It is loud and always visible.
And, its love interest is the beautiful courtyard, appropriated next to it. It is humble and has a Zen-like calm, but again always visible.
They sit together, right in the center of the house. All spaces, wanting to be introverted, open into this core- sometimes as a balcony, and other times as punctures of various scales trying to borrow natural light from it.
Each space gets a piece of the light well. However, the staircase core gives a maximalist experience of the entirety of light well.
To capture ample natural daylight, just the light well would not have been enough. Eventually, all spaces are borrowing light from the exterior surface of the house as well. They are either lifted from general sill and lintel levels, or have smaller puncture, or are in various shapes and sizes framing the exterior views to borrow natural light. Avoiding large windows of regular sizes keeps the home an introvert structure, allows for ample natural light and ventilation and keeps the privacy intact.
Fact File
Designed by: Studio Bāham Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Everyday House
Location: Vadodara
Year Built: 2022
Built-up Area: 3061 Sq.ft
Principle Architect: Harsh Chauhan
Photograph Courtesy: Dhruvil Shah
Design, Exicution and Model Making: Vishal Goswami
Exicution: Rima Zanzmeria & Dhaval Rami
Design: Forum Shah
Firm’s Instagram Link: Studio Bāham Architects
For Similar Project >>> A Luxury Apartment Building that Combines the Nature of Communal-Living with a Sense of Privacy
Located close to the historically-rich South Indian city of Mysuru, Solum embodies the endeavour towards living simply and close to nature. The client hails from a business background and yet harbours a fondness for the modesty and simplicity of an agrarian lifestyle. The young entrepreneur had always dreamt of developing a full-fledged farm self-sufficient in […]
Adorn, a home filled with earthen design and the laughter of a family of four, nestles in the peaceful neighborhood of Selvapuram, Coimbatore. “On one side, it shares boundaries with cozy family homes; meanwhile, the other side opens to expansive fields dotted with tall trees.” The fresh air scented with greenery sets a calming atmosphere […]
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 […]
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 […]
Living Room with Curtain is more of a functional requirement nowadays rather than a decorative element. Living Rooms are usually the center of the house. As much as they should feel welcoming, coziness and privacy are also required. One easy way to achieve this is by integrating the living room with curtain ideas. Curtains not […]
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 […]
Pillar design is a cornerstone of architectural elegance, seamlessly blending structural support with aesthetic appeal. Our blog, “50 Best Pillar Design Inspirations,” celebrates this essential element, showcasing a variety of styles from classical Doric and Ionic to contemporary and avant-garde innovations. Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, or a design enthusiast, these pillar design inspirations […]
This simple farmhouse design is a humble residence that responds to the climate and site. It is a fun fact that the house is both an inward and outward looking house at the same time. One of the USPs of the simple farmhouse design project would be that it connects well with the most playful […]