Located on a 15′ x 95′ ancestral plot in a pal village, Surat, India, this residence is designed for a multi-generational family of seven. This minimal home interior design solves light and space challenges within a narrow plot. The family wanted to stay connected with their community and preserve their cultural roots. The site has several constraints: shared north and south boundaries with adjoining properties, an eastern approach leading to the main road (perceived as the back side by the Hindu community), and a westward obstruction from a neighbouring five-story building, which blocks sunlight.
Minimal Home Interior Design That Honors Heritage in a 15′ Wide Plot | Dinterplay Architects
Given the narrow site with shared walls, the design emphasizes spatial openness and natural light. Except for ground floor, used for parking and storage, all the above floors are designed to bring light into the deeper parts of the house.
A conical skylight in the central triple-height volume is the primary source of daylight. Moreover, the staircase, made from fabricated metal, adds to the sense of openness in the narrow passage areas.
The east side, which receives maximum sunlight, features full-glass balcony doors for the bedrooms. This orientation reflects the Indian household’s lifestyle. Furthermore, sunlight is crucial for daily tasks like drying clothes and enjoying morning sunlight.
The design places informal family spaces on the east and locates the formal living areas on the west, where the family uses them less frequently. On the third floor, the design merges the balcony space with the bedroom to let the occupants enjoy the view from the comfort of the room, especially when it rains outside.
The design features a triple-height volume where strategically placed conical skylights, sliced at different levels and in various directions, cast dynamic sunlight patterns throughout the year. Moreover, the turbo ventilators placed above the staircase enhance airflow.
Given the narrow width of the plot, every inch of space was maximized. To compensate for the varying plot width due to the irregularity of neighboring buildings. Hence, we used 6” width bricks instead of 4” width bricks, saving 3” of space wherever required.
The east façade combines traditional arches and modern rectangular balconies, symbolizing the intersection of two cultural communities.
The texture-painted finish ensures the structure remains minimal, avoiding decorative façades. Also, the west façade, where the elevation is obscured by neighboring buildings, remains simple.
Interior walls are painted in light colors to reflect natural light and enhance the room. The team incorporates cultural elements, such as ‘Madhubani’ wall paintings, into the dining and mandir areas to add visual interest. Furthermore, the first floor’s wave-pattern terrazzo flooring breaks up the space’s linearity and creates a sense of mobility.
Small apertures in bedroom doors allow for continuous circulation, aided by the central air ventilator to maintain a comfortable temperature. This ventilation strategy promotes natural cooling throughout the home. Overall, the team used a minimal design approach sans false paneling to save space and prioritize structural features.
The long, narrow plot presented challenges in providing sufficient light and ventilation. Informal spaces occupy the east to capture abundant sunlight, while formal areas take their place on the west to reflect the client’s lifestyle.
The central volume remains open, without structural walls, to foster interaction and create a sense of community among the family. The overall design ensures that the residence feels bright, airy, and connected to both the family’s heritage and their modern lifestyle.
Fact File
Designed by: Dinterplay Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture and interior Design
Project Name: The Narrow House
Location: Surat
Year Built: 2024
Duration of the project: 2021-2024
Project Size: 7700 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ar.Krunal Patel & Ar. Shreya Bhavsar
Design Credits: Jeshika Patel
Photograph Courtesy: pratikruti09
Structure Engineers: Sangani Consultant
Contractors: Mr. Jayesh
Products / Materials / Vendors: Lighting – smart light / Sanitaryware – cera , american standard Windows – harikrishna enterprise / Furniture – conifur / Flooring – Terrazzo / Kitchen – kD & Co. / Paint – Asian Paint / Art – Artifest
Firm’s Website Link: Dinterplay Architects
The Firm’s Instagram Link: Dinterplay Architects
Firm’s Facebook Link: Dinterplay Architects
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