search

This 300 Sq. Ft. House Designed for Maximum Space and Comfort | HnP Architects 

A small plot size should never be an excuse for compromising on good architecture. The client of this residence received a 300 sq. ft. house on a 12′ x 22′ plot as a share after the demolition of his ancestral property. The requirements were to have two commercial units on the ground floor and one household unit on each of the other two floors. Located in one of the busiest neighborhoods in Tiruchirappalli, this residence, situated in a wall-to-wall zone, faced numerous challenges right from the design stage.

Editor’s Note: Nestled within the bustling streets of Tiruchirappalli, this home finds beauty in simplicity. It shapes itself around life’s quiet rhythms, opening up to light, air, and movement in the most natural way. Every space feels connected yet personal, making room for warmth, conversation, and a gentle sense of belonging. ~Isha Bora

This 300 Sq. Ft. House Designed for Maximum Space and Comfort | HnP Architects 

The architects decided to construct a structure that would be connected to the street from all levels without compromising the function of the interior spaces. Every floor was planned with spatial flexibility in mind, featuring fewer solid walls in the interiors. The thinnai seater, designed to be next to the road, offers a comfortable and inviting spot to sit and watch the everyday activity of the street. The staircase connecting the upper two floors with the ground floor is shared with the neighboring plot.

300 sqft house

First Floor

The first floor comprises a living area, a cooking counter, a bedroom, a common toilet, and a balcony. The jaali wall on this floor, with its diagonally arranged bricks, provides adequate privacy while overlooking the street. The balcony space offers a clear view of the street below and also acts as a utility space for laundry equipment.

Second Floor

On the second floor, a buffer space at the entry opens into a living room with an open kitchen. A sliding folding door between the living and bedroom areas provides flexibility during special occasions. The design places the toilet area away from the bedroom, while the bathroom sits close to the bed space. Loft storage on the first and second floors sits above the toilets and bathrooms, ensuring the spaces remain as open as possible.

300 sqft house

With just 300 sq.ft of land, every inch demands smart functionality, allowing the primary building materials to shape the aesthetic. Exposed brick walls, lime-plastered interiors, terrazzo flooring, and cement oxide surfaces proudly display their raw, natural beauty, creating a space where design and material authenticity go hand in hand.

300 sqft house

300 sqft house

Door and window frames feature reclaimed wood, while window grills reuse waste motor parts like chain sprockets, celebrating the incoming light.

The Real Challenge

Both the architects and clients prioritized reducing reliance on artificial lighting and ventilation during the daytime, unlike other buildings in the area. However, the wall-to-wall characteristics of the street limited possibilities for natural light and ventilation.

The east and west walls of the building shared with neighbors. However, the only options for natural light and air were from the north and south directions. Wall slits, clerestories, and skylight openings have been provided across the three floors. Furthermore, it ensures an adequate amount of natural light enters the interior spaces.

The brick jaali on the north facade not only acts as a dramatic element but also provides effective cross-ventilation. Thus, complemented by windows on the south facade. The tilted arrangement of the bricks reflects the user’s cultural values and acknowledges the nearby mosque to the west.

Construction Challenges

In a street where even a 2-wheeler is difficult to ride, the construction phase was as challenging as the design phase. Moreover, accommodating construction vehicles and mixing wet ingredients added to the complexity.

This raw and honest design challenges the local belief that architecture always needs fancy elements. It proves that thoughtful planning and basic materials can beautifully accomplish even a simple, everyday building.

Fact File

Designed by: HnP Architects 

Project Type: Residential Architecture Design

Project Name: The 300 Square Feet House

Location: Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu

Year: 2024

Project Size: 900 Sq.ft

Principal Architects: Preethi R S & Sadam Hussain K

Photograph Courtesy: cut.idam

Source: Archdaily

Firm’s Website Link: HnP Architects 

Firm’s Instagram Link: HnP Architects

For Similar Project>> This Aesthetic Courtyard House With Lush Landscape Design Offers A Calm Aura To The Users

This Office with Garden Blurs Boundaries between Work and Retreat | Arcline Architects

The thought was to create a space which would act as a formal real estate workspace in the daytime and a family retreat in the evening. By its name, as it is, ‘Leveled. This office with a garden is defined using levels, in terms of volumes, surfaces as well as edges. These levels are rationalized […]

Read More

These Courtyard Villas Connect Deeply with Nature and Everyday Rhythms | The Grid Architects

Nirmay (निर्मय) reflects purity and holistic well-being. Envisioned as a quiet sanctuary amidst the noise of urban life, these courtyard villas offer a way of living that is calm, conscious, and deeply connected to the land. Rooted in sustainability and ecological harmony, the design responds to both nature and the everyday rhythms of its inhabitants. […]

Read More

This Organic House Rolls into the Vibrant Green Landscape Naturally | Prithvi Architects

Winterfell is a work of camouflaged design, an organic house that melds seamlessly with the terrain, rolling into the vibrant green landscape and naturally positioned boulders. Set in the scenic village of Shoolagiri within the Sanctity Ferme community in Tamil Nadu, Winterfell offers an idyllic retreat from urban life—a place to live close to nature. […]

Read More

Tipu Villa is a Heritage Home Blending Boldness and Sophistication | DabStudio

The design concept of Tipu Villa embodies a harmonious balance of boldness and sophistication, crafting spaces that exude refinement and elegance, resulting in a true heritage home. Key design elements include exclusive use of Indian-sourced materials, including Indian teak wood, veneer, natural Kota lime stone, and yellow lime stone, promoting cultural charm and heritage. Tipu […]

Read More

The Outdoor Office is a Response to Uninspired Office Design | Kiasma Studio

Office spaces are often defined by uninspired, industrial aesthetics—endless rows of cubicles, glaring fluorescent lights and austere décor. It’s easy to become desensitized to the potential for beauty in these environments where we spend so much of our time. And with the demands for extended work hours becoming an accepted norm, the line between work […]

Read More

This Modern Farm House Reflects Harmony with Nature and Heritage | Studio HC

Nestled amidst the serene outskirts of Bangalore, this 1.25-acre modern farm house embodies a seamless fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern design sensibilities. Every detail of the property reflects an unwavering commitment to creating a space that harmonizes with its natural surroundings while honoring heritage. This Modern Farm House Reflects Harmony with Nature and Heritage […]

Read More

The Interior Contemporary Design Celebrates Openness and Dramatic Volumes | DesigNiche Architecture

The client envisioned a home that embodies openness and fluidity through interior contemporary design. He is drawn to expansive volumes and dramatic spatial experiences, including double-height ceilings and multiple floors. Each family member should have a distinct, personal space, yet all areas must remain visually and spatially connected to foster a strong sense of togetherness. […]

Read More

This Brahmaputra Riverfront Is a Rhythm of Nature and Stillness | atArchitecture

The Brahmaputra riverfront rejuvenates a natural water lily pond, creates a new river edge, and seamlessly connects the site to the adjacent heritage museum, fostering public interaction. Editor’s Note: “A combination of contours and current, the design of the Brahmaputra riverfront unfolds like a living memory. Quietly celebrating time and terrain, every curve echoes the […]

Read More

A Modern Bali House With Timeless Tropical Charm | Biombo Architects

Located in the coastal village of Pererenan, Bali, House Terra is a contemporary response to tropical living, designed by Biombo Architects as a family retreat. The project balances built space and landscape, creating a strong connection between architecture and nature while offering shelter from the island’s monsoon climate. Editor’s Note: “House Terra, more than a […]

Read More

Minimal Home Interior Design That Honors Heritage in a 15′ Wide Plot | Dinterplay Architects

Located on a 15′ x 95′ ancestral plot in a pal village, Surat, India, this residence is designed for a multi-generational family of seven. This minimal home interior design solves light and space challenges within a narrow plot. The family wanted to stay connected with their community and preserve their cultural roots. The site has […]

Read More
  • This 2 BHK Apartment Interior Design Breathes Nostalgia & Warmth | ASDA Architects

    Esvee Atelier Brings Art Deco Elegance with Dreamy Living Deco