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.

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.

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.

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

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