Situated in a dense neighborhood of Surat, Prakashalay is a residence shaped by light, circulation, and spatial relationships, with a striking terra cotta facade. Designed by Associated Architects (I) Pvt. Ltd., an Ahmedabad-based design studio, the original residence was built in 2003 for a family of doctors on a 300 sq. yard site.
Editor’s Note: “This is a home reimagined, twice designed, once remembered, and lived in forever. Terracotta gently shapes its form while light streams through setbacks and voids. In each material, there is meaning, and its volumes, bridges between generations. Prakashalay is a legacy that not just shelters but speaks and grows over time.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
The Terra cotta Facade Frames Light and Connection at Prakashalay | Associated Architects (i) Pvt. Ltd.
Over the last two decades, their growing family and evolving needs demanded for an expansion and the client decided to double their existing plot to 600 sq. yards. Prakashalay is a 14,000 sq. ft. residence, on a narrow plot with 1:3 ratio, explores openness and transparency in a vertically stacked home, yet stays rooted in the Indian way of living.
The residence is structured with a concrete framework and traditional brick masonry. A terracotta-hued exterior defines the built form, with each floor stepping back to create setbacks, framing levels as the building rises.
This rhythmic layering not only shapes the façade but also allows light and ventilation to flow through the spaces. At the entrance, a brass door introduces a sense of warmth, contrasting with the otherwise muted material palette.
Inside, the flooring choice makes a striking impact. Leather finish black granite runs through the house, an unconventional selection in Indian households where lighter tones are often preferred due to maintenance and cleaning being an important factor.
However, given the sheer amount of natural light streaming in, the dark floors ground the space without making it feel heavy. The surfaces react to changing light conditions throughout the day, adding another dimension to the interiors.
The lower ground floor features riverwash kota stone flooring in the parking, utility areas and verandahs. The flooring transitions into polished kota stone in the interior spaces of the lower ground floor.
Art plays a very important role in this house and can also be perceived as a material for the dimensionality, texture and warmth that it adds to the space. The entrance features a wall art over the console, backed by wooden posts and a cane mesh that functions as a screen.
At AAPL, the design team decided to challenge the site constraints and ensure maximum visual and physical connections between each space.
At the center of it all is a staggered double-height volume flowing through the family room and the reading lounge. As a result, it carves out a sense of openness while maintaining a hierarchy of privacy.
This core allows for uninterrupted sightlines between floors, reinforcing a sense of togetherness within the multi-generational household.
The double-height reading lounge is a key spatial moment, defined by an 18-foot-tall red artwork that anchors the space. Across the house, colors flow with intention—some bring calm, others spark energy. Together, they ultimately shape the feeling of being at home.
Few families offer the rare opportunity to design a project twice—two decades apart, on the same land, for the same people.
Having understood how the family lived in their previous home, the architects were able to respond to both past and present. Consequently, the architects crafted this new iteration to support how the family would live in the future.
The result is a house that is deeply personal and rooted in identity. Yet, it remains adaptable, embracing change while staying connected to its origins.
Fact File
Designed by: Associated Architects (i) Pvt. Ltd.
Project Type: Residential Architecture & Interior Design
Project Name: Prakashalay
Location: Surat, India
Year Built: 2025
Built Area: 14,000 Sq. ft
Principal Architects: Ar. Bhavik Nandi
Photograph Courtesy: Murtaza Gandhi
Interior Stylist: saniya.tadha
Senior Architect: Trupti Modi
Senior Interior Designer: Hiral Shah
Associate Interior Designer: Riddish Kataria
Architect/ PR Head: Hitarth Nandi
Firm’s Instagram Link: Associated Architects (i) Pvt. Ltd.
Firm’s Facebook Link: Associated Architects (i) Pvt. Ltd.
For Similar Projects>>>3BHK Gandhinagar Home Designed With Simplicity And Harmony
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 […]