Screen Saver House Highlights The Play Of Shadow And Colors | Manoj Patel Design Studio
A playful residential dwelling that breaks down the scale while offering a variation of massing cubes as a new neighborhood. The designed dwelling is located in Padra, district of Vadodara, based on factors like climate and social surrounding context. Creating recessed profiles, gave rise to a large surface treatment area at the central corner junction of the dwelling, along with large terrace gardens at various levels. This brings natural daylight and air through windows within the built form to its advantage.
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Design and orientation of openings of the cubic house aim to incorporate the client’s wish for a large number of square meters with the amalgamation of urban life in the neighborhood. The configuration of cubes reflects the symmetry of boxes with a human scale that adapts to varied and dense small-scale surroundings.
For us, climate plays an important role in planning and designing our projects. Talking about the corner junction on the South – West façade of the house, an opportunity evolved, to create a large surface area of cladding, due to the openings planned in peripheral series. Aim to identity a different way to clay vernacular material – clay roof tiles, gave rise to a module, which is low cost and has a long life span. Various combinations and patterns were explored that developed a dramatic experience of numerous shadow movements throughout the day according to the sun’s movement in the Indian context. Pattern depicts, intricate strips carved out from flat clay roof tiles of different sizes. These pieces are all glued together to create one module each.
Initially, after one module getting ready, through artisanship, a study of shadow patterns was carried out in the studio as part of research to understand the large shadow scale to be obtained. The beauty of the module generates several shadows through the profile and enhances the artwork.
The West façade has the main entrance and is covered by a projecting double-height terrace garden. Activities are segregated on various levels – semi-private spaces like living area, the master bedroom of grandparents, dining connected with kitchen on the ground floor while more private spaces on upper floors like kid’s room and master bedroom. The central focus of the dwelling is the double-height dining linked with an open-well staircase and railings. This feature sets direct connection through all floors inside the house, yet creates a buffer for space.
On entering, one is welcomed by the delicate wall mural crafted from miniature pieces of clay roof tiles. Adjacent to it is the main door with a huge circular handle designed in a way to merge the door and surrounding elements as art. Walking further into the living room, no visual barrier theme gives a glimpse into the main areas of the house, setting the space to be large. Continuing with the bold pattern formations from the exterior facades, the interior flooring also highlights a touch of contrasting palette of tiles arranged in patterns and balancing furniture.
To uplift the large connectivity feel for the living room, the corner has continuously shaped sofas, lightweight designed pair center tables with checkered flooring. On view from any corner of the space, a new surprising theme of frames is generated due to the color orientation on some walls. A feel of bold and vibrant ambiance gets poped up.
The kitchen is sleek with a dark countertop box massing out, yellow storage overhead, and plain white storage surrounding it. The flooring continues in a checkered theme of monotonous shade.
FACT FILE:
Design Firm: Manoj Patel Design Studio
Project Name: Screen Saver House
Project Type: Residential
Completion Year: 2020
Site Area: 1000 square feet – 92 sq.mt.
Built up: 2100 square feet – 195 sq.mt.
Design Team: Ar. Manoj Patel, Aishwarya Gupte, Sonu, Purna, Darshan
Project Location: Vadodara; Gujarat, India.
Photography: Umang Shah
Website: https://www.manojpateldesignstudio.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manojpateldesignstudio/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manojpatel2015
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