Nestled in the town of Ahmednagar, this linear classic design house is a contemporary idea designed for a Christian family of four. While simplicity is the driver of design, innovations in construction and form elevate the project envisioned by the us. The whole project is a symphony of geometrical shapes and volumes that play around with light and shadows, adding movement to the built form.
Symphony of Classic Design Elements creating Dramatic Sciagraphy | Illusion Design Studio
Visit: Illusion Design Studio
The site itself inspired the concept and design. Since the linear orientation restricted the horizontal play of space, the vertical axis was explored. Designing for light, ventilation, and openness while maintaining privacy was a challenge since residential structures blocked the longer edges of the narrow plot. Courtyards within the house and effective use of setbacks mitigated this issue. North light was invited in, while the south facade was covered with cavity walls and dead walls to cut harsh sunlight.
The first glimpse of the house is an enormous triangular MS grill, framed by exposed concrete. The grill is not only aesthetic but also functions as a privacy and safety barrier. An alternative to typical windows, it ties the elevation together. The patterned gate opens onto a landscaped front garden. Shades of green complement the neutral tones of the built, guiding the onlooker inside the house.
The ground floor has the servant’s living quarters and a parking bay paved with a beautiful floral inlay. A dog-well staircase leads up to the first floor, where the family resides. Upon exiting the stairwell, the double-height courtyard space greets one with a mesmerizing play of light and shadows that dance in through the grill opening.
The entire house rests on sunken slabs with upturned beams. This innovative technique played a pivotal role in the success of the project. It maximized the openings in all rooms, and also provided a clean conduit for electrical and plumbing services. By using plywood shuttering for casting instead of metal framing, a smooth finish for the exposed concrete was achieved.
Muted tones adorn the house-exposed concrete, white, and a pinch of beige, with the occasional splash of pastels in the bedrooms. The embellishments in engraved veneer are another creative innovation. A happy accident, we noticed that the singed CNC cut veneer fit perfectly with the color scheme. Done for the first time in the city, this engraved veneer is revolutionary in its installation.
The project stays true to the nature of the materials and grand without being opulent. But as architectural exploration runs wild, the house does not forgo its basic intent. Built with wonder, and brought together with love, the Linear House stands tall – a home for the family, for generations to come.
Fact File
Designed by: Illusion Design Studio
Project Type: Residence Architecture & Design
Project Name: Linear House
Location: Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
Year Built: 2022
Duration of project: 2 Years
Plot Area: 3000 Sq.ft
Project Size: 5500 Sq.ft
Project Cost Appx: 2.40 Crore
Principal Architects: Shashank Pawar & Shruti Somani-Pawar
Team Design Credits: Tanvi Gugale
Photograph Courtesy: Parthavi Yadav Studios
Consultants for the Project
Civil: Sachin Khisti
Structure Engineers: Vivek Apte
Products & Materials: Finishes: Asian Paints and ICA | Construction Materials: Brick and Fair Face Concrete | Lighting: Lafit and LedLum | Sanitary ware: Aquant | Flooring: Nexion and Simpolo | Paint: Asian Paints | Artefacts: Orangetree, Nestasia, Best of Bharat, The White Teak | Hardware: Hettich, Hafele
Firm’s Instagram Link: Illusion Design Studio
Firm’s Facebook Link: Illusion Design Studio
For Similar Project>>Classic Palette of Yellows and Greys Working in Harmony for this Café Design in Hyderabad
KRIPA is a residence that reflects the personality and lifestyle of its homeowner — calm, open, and rooted in nature. The project focuses on creating light-filled, green spaces with minimal private zones, encouraging openness and connection. In a time when spaces are shrinking but expectations are rising, architecture becomes the medium to bridge this gap […]
The Sculpted Sanctuary is a masterclass in modern minimalist design. The project focuses on “Quiet Luxury”. It is the idea that a space doesn’t need bright colors or flashy decor to feel expensive. Instead, it uses raw natural materials, rich textures, and sharp architectural lines. This Home Is A Masterclass In Modern Minimalist Design | […]
A home is a living canvas. More than a carefully planned housing scheme, it is a silent witness to everyday routines, shared laughter, and collective memories that shape a lasting sense of belonging. It is defined by the intangible threads that quietly bind a family together. Housing Scheme: A Contemporary Home Designed Around Everyday Living […]
SIDHARTHA, is a four-bedroom modern house which is functional and aesthetic driven by the specific needs of the client. The location of the site is in a dense neighbourhood in Bengaluru, India. The contemporary urban dwelling frequently negotiates competing demands. It balances generous daylight and visual connection to the street with privacy, dust control, and […]
The first thing one notices at Ekya, a 12,000 sqft house in Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills, is the silence of the wilderness. Courtyards and terracesrise at different levels rife with dense foliage. A three-storey-high boulder wall makes the house appear as though it has been carved from the rock, while the chirping of birds adds to […]
Layers don’t just sit here; they breathe, shift, and whisper through light. The Screen, set in the sun-drenched fabric of Solapur, Maharashtra, isn’t trying to scream luxury. It doesn’t need to. It moves quieter than that, more composed, more intentional, like a pause button carved into the chaos of the city. Spread across 4,125 sq. […]
We conceive EMA not as a conventional architectural object, but as a living continuum of memory, ecology, and craft. Located in Malappuram, Kerala, the 1,700 sq. ft. residence, designed with thermal comfort draws from vernacular wisdom and the philosophy of the Kaavu—the sacred grove—where humans, nature, and other living beings coexist without hierarchy. Within this […]
Set within the lush landscapes of Bharanikavu in Kollam, Arcade – a single storey residence that blends tropical modern architecture with colonial and traditional elements. Designed for a businessman, his wife (a teacher) and their two daughters, this house showcases a shared interest for elegance rooted in familiarity. This Single Storey Home Sits Amidst Lush […]
Located in HMT Layout, Bangalore, Isha_Srinidhi Nilaya stands as a multi-generational home designed on a compact 60×40 ft (2400 sq. ft) East facing plot, with a total built-up area of 8000 sq. ft. East Facing a lush public park, the residence responds to its urban setting through a layered design that balances privacy with a […]
Nestled within a 30×40 ft plot is the compact house design in Banashankari 6th Stage, Bengaluru. This residence for the Ellappans, reimagines traditional Indian living in a contemporary, spatially dynamic form. Designed for a family of three- Mr. Ellappan, his wife, and their teenage son- the house expresses a deep connection to vernacular roots while […]