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
This rustic farmhouse for a family aims at re-defining tradition to blend in modern thought. Make it contemporary but traditional, was a brief given to the Architect by the client to redesign and build a century-old farmhouse sprawling across 3500 square feet on a 3-acre site in Morbe, Panvel. Editor’s Note: The redesigning of this […]
This high ceiling house in a quiet, leafy corner of Sushant Lok, Gurgaon, was built to respond to the presence of a beautiful Alstonia tree. The home’s form steps back from the ground upwards to create decks and terraces that overlook the garden and tree on every level. Editor’s Note: “This home, with Alstonia trees […]
Tiny house designs are very exciting and intimidating in themselves. Moreover, they come with their benefits and challenges as well. To know and understand tiny house designs, one must have enough knowledge about the challenges one can face. It can be individual or separate entities and also can be shared living spaces. The following are […]
This luxury residential farmhouse, designed in a contemporary farmhouse style, has a total covered slab area of 14000 square feet and a plot area of 24000 square feet, is located in the Sultanpur Patti region, about 39.8 kilometers from Corbett National Park. It has been designed to add a sense of the local environment in […]
Aquant, with nearly two decades of experience, leads India’s premium bathroom solutions market, offering a wide range of stylish bath fittings, faucets, and spa concepts in multiple PVD finishes. Collaborating with global OEM partners and top Indian designers, Aquant ensures innovation, quality, and luxury across 52 cities with 300+ dealers. In this exclusive interview at […]
The project involves the design and construction of a modern residential villa that emphasizes functionality, comfort, and contemporary aesthetics. Contextualized in the suburbs of Ahmedabad city, the house balances open and semi-private spaces organized through thoughtful volumes and a grid system. The central open space serves as the heart of the design, connecting transitional spaces […]
In the heart of every home, the Angan stands as a sacred court. It is a personal yet public space that witnesses the playful childhoods, festive celebrations, gatherings, and even tranquility for one. This project makes an honest attempt to reintroduce the idea of a court in the design, amalgamating it with modern needs, embodying […]
This five-floor residential building in KUKATPALLY showcases thoughtful planning and modern functionality. This vertical house is tailored to meet the evolving needs of a multigenerational family. Designed for a client with two sons, the home seamlessly blends shared spaces, private retreats, and clever spatial planning. This Vertical House Offers the Perfect Balance of Privacy and […]
Mr. Rajesh Vadgama reached out to Ar. Jay Thakkar through a mutual acquaintance after purchasing a residential plot. Following an initial meeting and several site visits, a concept for a compact yet luxurious Luxury House was developed. The final design featured an expansive, well-planned layout with a spacious living room, a double-height dining area that […]
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 […]