The client along with his wife decided to relocate to Pune post his retirement from a government job at the coal mines at Ranchi. His wish was to use the 40-year-old G+1 storey house built by his father, as his retirement home.
Residence Creatively Redesigned Into ‘The Brown Envelope’ | Alok Kothari Architects
visit : Alok Kothari Architects
However, the house being unused for a long period of time had to be renovated. The client wanted to refurbish the ground floor and completely rework the building elevation without disturbing the functionality of the spaces on the first floor. The ideas took shape in the form of the residence creatively redesigned into ‘The Brown Envelope’!
Connection of the interiors with the outdoor landscape (planned in the existing margins of the site) is the core of the design. The intent was to use landscape as a tool to overcome the limitations of existing structure and establish a strong connect with nature.
The USP of this project is the elevation design; which was an exercise of putting a new envelope around the old house without disturbing the functionality of the first floor. The challenge was to hide all the haphazard projections and offsets of the existing structure and give it a uniform look.
The living room & the bedroom have been opened up at strategic locations to achieve this. The feature walls in front of these openings act like anchor points for the entire landscape design. Additionally, they also double up as visual barriers and provide privacy to the user.
The idea of having a perforated box made up of aluminum fins around the top floor originated from here. The ground floor is wrapped up in a brick skin which imparts a warm look to the house. In order to break the monotony, black stone slats have been introduced at regular intervals, which give the brick facade a horizontal linearity that complements the vertical linearity of the aluminum fins at the top level.
The idea was to keep the ground floor for the client’s daily use and the first floor – which had 2 bedrooms and other ancillary spaces – would be meant for their children or guests whenever they would visit them. The existing external staircase on the south-side had to be retained. Working around this brief, the composition of the ground floor was modified without disturbing the structural framework.
The modified elevation is a deliberate juxtaposition of different materials at different levels. The ground floor is treated with earthy & natural materials viz. brick & stone, to keep the structure grounded in the site; whereas the first floor is conceived as a porous box made up of aluminum & steel which not just aids in concealing the old facade but also makes it light in weight.
The entire landscape design has been planned in different shades of grey so as to accentuate the building facade. The outdoor flooring design – a combination of light grey and dark grey stone slabs – has been planned in 2 parts.
The flooring in front of the feature walls has a geometric pattern comprising of diamonds & triangles to highlight their importance as ‘pause points’; whereas the rest of the areas have a linear pattern which impart a sense of movement. The central portion of the flooring of all the ‘pause points’ has a floral motif which represents the traditional Indian ‘rangoli’ design.
The colour palette of the exteriors i.e brown & grey has been continued in the interiors as well. The entire furniture has a teakwood finish; whereas the walls and ceiling have been painted in light grey & dark grey respectively.
The usage of beige colour terrazzo flooring provides an appropriate background for the furniture pieces, paintings, etc. Just like the outdoor landscape, usage of diamond shape is an important feature of the interior design. It is evident in the design of the dining area, ceiling of the living room and the main door.
FACT FILE
Designed by : Alok Kothari Architects
Project Type : Residential
Project Name : The Brown Envelope
Location : Pune, Maharashtra
Year Built : 2022
Duration of project : 12 months
Plot Area : 2200 sq.ft.
Built up : 1700 sq. ft.
Project Cost Appx : 4000/sq. ft.
Principal Architects : Ar. Alok Kothari
Team Design Credits : Saurabh Kalyani & Apurva Shelake
Photograph Courtesy : Mr. Hemant Patil
Firm’s Website Link : Alok Kothari Architects
Firm’s Instagram Link : Alok Kothari Architects
Firm’s Facebook Link : Alok Kothari Architects
For Similar Project>>> A PERFECT BLEND OF CONCRETE GREYS AND FRONDESCENCE GREENS
Marble house designs in the Indian context constantly change and upgrade with time but never go out of style. Marble a timeless and versatile material, finds its application in various settings ranging from flooring to ornamentation. If you are looking for marble house ideas to add a touch of quality and luxury to your home, […]
In small bathroom layouts, every square inch counts. Without a thoughtful plan, a small space can quickly become cluttered, making it feel even more cramped. The right bathroom layout not only enhances functionality in interiors but also creates a sense of openness. Think about it—how frustrating is it to move around a bathroom where the […]
Creating a TV unit design in bedroom requires the right balance of functionality, optimization, and aesthetics to enhance the space. Apart from cots and wardrobes, TV units in a bedroom play a pivotal role in captivating an individual’s attention. Keeping in mind, the design theme and concept of your home, the TV unit design in […]
In the serene countryside of Vaiyampatti, an Indian retreat nestled amidst the vast expanse of paddy fields stands a humbly placed farmhouse exuding quiet grace and rustic elegance. It is a perfect setting, reminiscent of William Wordsworth’s “Solitary Reaper”. Editor’s Note: “Inspired by the timeless charm of Nalukettu architecture, this Trichy residence is enveloped by […]
Nestled in the serene locale of Banswara, Rajasthan, the exquisite interior design of this 6500 sq.ft. house epitomizes elegance and functionality, which the designer and now the house owners call is “sukoon.” Designed with meticulous attention to detail, this 3 BHK home seamlessly integrates a library, a rejuvenating jacuzzi, a modern gym, and an inviting […]
Ekam Retreat is a renovation project amidst the scenic terrains of Amboori, Trivandrum, Kerala. The project aimed at breathing new life and nature into an abandoned house. The walls of the house had significant damage and were left to the forces of nature. Editor’s Note: “The renovation of this residence in Trivandrum is a harmonious […]
20 MM marble has become the industry standard used by architects, designers, and builders alike, though there are many options for what material to use. It is not an accident that it is rapidly becoming the global number one. This thickness in marble provides special advantages, with 193 of the 195 countries using only 20 […]
This 5,735 square-foot house in Amritsar whispers the timeless grandeur of Indo-British architecture with a quiet yet commanding elegance. The residence and its elegant and subdued design pays homage to a regal past, offering a subtle yet impactful narrative through its carefully curated interiors. The house in Amritsar essence captures the delicate balance between heritage […]
Beautiful interiors blends with the aesthetic and functional house design, creating spaces that are visually appealing and comfortable. Featuring a harmonious colour palette, thoughtful lighting, a mix of textures and materials, and personalised touches. Elegant furniture arrangement and smart storage solutions further enhance the overall design, making each room both inviting and practical. Creating a […]
In this Baroda house project, we bring together a blend of two seemingly different styles – contemporary and ethnic – to create a unique and visually stunning space bathed in understated luxury. Interior design is all about creating spaces that reflect the individuality and style of the homeowner. The client Yashwant bhai Shah came to […]