Minimal Rectilinear House | Sudaiva Studio
To keep pace with the rapid urbanization of the tier 2 city in which the residence is located, the client aspired to upgrade to a modern, luxurious lifestyle while still living as a traditional joint family. Within the relatively compact floor area, the design had to accommodate the needs of a large family, providing a sense of spaciousness while maintaining the right balance of connection and privacy.
For a narrow plot measuring only 28 feet wide and 45 feet long with a common wall at the rear, and narrow setbacks of 1.5 feet along the width, the house had to depend only on the north face and overhead light for daylighting and natural ventilation.
Eschewing all embellishment, the building form was constructed as an exercise in restraint with only strong proportions defining the design intent. The folding planes of the staircase volume with an exposed concrete finish stand counterpoised against the white plastered minimal rectilinear mass housing the living spaces.
Glass, exposed concrete finish and white plaster form the minimal material palette for the external form. The Golden Rectangle was used to determine the scale and proportion of the building elements.
Facing north, the front façade features tall windows scaling two floors allowing sumptuous natural light to penetrate deep into the open layout of the house. Mild steel vertical louvers clad with Fundermax outside the windows serve as adornment for the building façade, act as a security device and also a shading device.The sky-lights above a double heightened internal court, together with the tall expanse of windows makes the home self-sufficient in natural light regardless of the shade from future property developments around it. The skylights also have a built-in provision for hot air to vent out of the building through perforated metal sheets.
Commissioned as both architects and interior designers for this residence, considerable effort was put into optimizing the modest floor area of 2000 square feet to make it work for a large, traditional joint family. Within the layout, several devices were marshaled to expand the perceived measure of space – a fully open plan, double heights, large north-facing windows, suspended ceiling planes, metal jaali screens, thin metal shelves, and uninterrupted long diagonal interior views.
Every interior artifact was conceived to perform double duty – screens define distinct areas within the layout while also serving as a bold decorative accent; sleek metal shelving framing the television allows display of objet d’arts while cordoning off the staircase; the dining table within the kitchen also becomes an extended preparation counter while cooking; the dropped ceiling planes conceal sunken slabs, beams and lighting devices, while it is shaped to echo the functions below, acting as a subtle orienting device within the open plan.
FACT FILE:
Architects:Sudaiva Studio
Location:Bellur, India
Category:Houses
Lead Architect:Vinay Mavinakere
Area:2700.0 ft2
Project Year:2018
Photographs:Geeth Gopinath
The way we design spaces that people inhabit goes beyond mere functionality. It requires an intentional sensitivity to how each detail shapes the overall experience and interaction with the surrounding ecological context. Nestled in the suburban periphery of Nashik, the project occupies a 3700 sq. ft. plot located at the dead-end of a street, adjacent […]
Kerala style homes have courtyards surrounded by rooms on each side. Traditional Kerala-style homes have a central courtyard known as Nadumuttam surrounded by rooms. These homes promote natural light and ventilation according to the region’s climate. These homes, due to the feature of courtyards as their core spaces, offer beautiful opportunities for social gatherings. This […]
In a time when design is often reduced to trends, Yaahvi’s light design stands as a reminder of tactility, tradition, and craftsmanship. Founded by Nikita Bansal, who journeyed from Assam to the global design stage, champions a philosophy where contemporary aesthetics meet age-old Indian craftsmanship. In this exclusive interview, Nikita reflects on her early influences, […]
India, a nation bustling with innovation and a constant drive for progress, is increasingly embracing an unconventional yet incredibly promising architectural trend: container architecture. We are witnessing a fascinating transformation, as discarded shipping containers, once traversing the high seas laden with goods, now find new life as dynamic, sustainable, and surprisingly sophisticated living and working […]
This bungalow style house influences the site context and can be visualised in multiple facades of sharp edges & cuboidal form. Her,e salient features like U-Projection are an expression of the bench on a level one. The house divides itself into three bays. On the ground floor, where first bay acquire all public activities like […]
Imagine yourself on the terrace of your hidden mountain retreat, drinking a fresh cup of coffee as you admire the sunrise emerging from behind the rolling hills across the valley. This serene atmosphere is exactly what Hello Wood’s latest project, the Console House, is designed to offer. The Console House showcases modern architecture design while […]
As cities continue to grow and evolve, there is a growing desire to incorporate elements of rural living into urban design. By embracing rural living principles, cities can create more eco-friendly and sustainable spaces. Rural living is not just about wide-open spaces and rolling hills. It’s also about community, sustainability, and a connection to nature. […]
Located in the thriving city of Ichalkaranji, this is an example of luxury residences is a seamless blend of timeless elegance and modern sophistication. The striking exterior, adorned with brick and natural stone cladding, exudes warmth, character, and permanence. These rich textures create a visually captivating façade, harmonizing tradition with contemporary design while making a […]
Throughout history, stone has embodied permanence, artistry, and raw beauty in architecture. From the grandeur of Roman amphitheaters to the earthy elegance of modern villas, stone remains a beloved material for its strength, sustainability, and aesthetic richness. As design trends evolve toward natural materials, eco-conscious decisions, and biophilic design, stone has found new expressions — […]
The space adopts a biophilic office design and climate-responsive approach, creating a workspace that reimagines urban interiors by deeply embedding them with nature. The style is earthy, minimal, and modern with a strong contextual sensitivity to its location. Also, a lush canopy surrounds the bare-shell site on the first floor, allowing for abundant daylight and […]