When the client approached us, they had a clear objective: to create three distinct apartments for the families of two sisters and a brother. Having lived in different parts of the city for years, the experience of the covid-19 made them realize the importance of living closer to one another. Their vision was to unite the families in one shared building, fostering both independence and connection while still maintaining a sense of intimacy in this apartment building design.
Editor’s Note: Through the holistic planning of the building, the design aims to focus on uniting families. By layering the floors in a non-towering way, and carefully crafting the facade the design blends harmoniously with the surroundings. With a cohesive interior layout along with the exteriors, the house creates a clam and welcoming place to live. ~Rajvi Dedakiya
This Apartment Building Design Unites The Families | Kamat & Rozario Architecture
One of our primary goals was to design a building that did not feel imposing. Despite the relatively constrained size of the site and the substantial requirements. We aimed for a design that maintained a human scale, avoiding the perception of a towering structure while maximizing the usable space.
To achieve this, we adopted a split-level concept for each apartment, taking advantage of the lower height required for the car parking. This allowed for the two street-facing bedrooms to be positioned closer to the ground. Henceforth, creating a more intimate relationship with the street.
The separation of living areas across levels created distinct zones within each home, enhancing a sense of individual identity, a quality typically associated with standalone houses.
The two upper apartments followed a similar split-level configuration, which led to the creation of a shared amenity space at the roof level including an amphitheater which took advantage of the split level. This would double up as a family gathering space to screen movies and other shared activities.
Other communal facilities include a gym, pool table, laundry and a guest room, shared by all three apartments. The split-level design helped conceal this communal floor from view, ensuring the building maintained a low, approachable profile.
The building’s western façade, which serves as its primary connection to the street, required careful consideration. We needed to manage glare and heat from the western sun without cutting out the visual connection to the street.
To address this, we integrated a custom-designed louver system composed of thin but deep metal sections. These louvers effectively cut the sun’s glare and cast shadows over the glass surfaces, preserving transparency and a connection to the exterior while providing essential shading.
This practical solution to the façade not only met environmental requirements but also informed the building’s overall aesthetic. The industrial language, initiated with the metal louver system, flows seamlessly into the interiors of each apartment. The use of exposed concrete, metal sections, and wood further reinforces the cohesive industrial style, creating a balance between raw materiality and comfort.
The topmost apartment, designed with one less bedroom than the other units, allowed us to incorporate a small, private courtyard. This courtyard is shaded by the same metal louvers that define the building’s front façade and roof. Thus, offering a shaded outdoor space.
Additionally, skylights positioned beneath the roof-level amphitheater bring abundant natural light into the top-floor apartment, enhancing the sense of spaciousness.
As a result, the building responds to the specific needs of the clients and demonstrates thoughtful engagement with its context. Each apartment occupies a single floor, fostering privacy while shared amenities provide opportunities for interaction.
Fact File
Designed by: Kamat & Rozario Architecture
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Triode
Location: Bangalore
Year Built: 2024
Built-up Area: 6400 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Lester Rozario & Smruti Kamat
Photograph Courtesy: Arjun Krishna Photography
Firm’s Website Link: Kamat & Rozario Architecture
The Firm’s Instagram Link: Kamat & Rozario Architecture
Firm’s Facebook Link: Kamat & Rozario Architecture
For Similar Projects >> This Open Air Amphitheatre on a Kerala Roof Design is an Ideal Music Venue
Only few homes envisioned as art sanctuaries, and even less so, like curated living experiences. Yet, VH Design in Ahmedabad, is just that—a personal expression of its resident’s tastes for art, designs, raw materials, and stories. A Residence for Mitesh Trivedi, his wife and his son Ridham and daughter in law, this residence combines functionality […]
Kochi’s design landscape is evolving rapidly, shaped by a new generation of visionary minds. This feature spotlights architects in Kochi who are leading the change through innovation, sensitivity, and a deep understanding of the city’s cultural fabric. As Kochi continues to expand, the role of architects in Kochi becomes even more crucial in defining spaces […]
Tucked within the leafy lanes of Sagar Society, Hyderabad, this 7,450 sq. ft. villa rises as a contemporary residence deeply anchored in tradition and nature. Three towering trees frame the structure at its entry, their organic silhouettes tempering the scale of the built form and setting the stage for a home that balances architectural gravitas […]
Rooted in a newer extension of the vibrant city of Ahmedabad, this abode represents a fine tune of modern design sensibility with timeless material expression and spatial volumetric connections. A home for a family of 4 which balances openness with privacy, functionality with aesthetics and luxury with warmth. The physical orientation of the east facing […]
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 […]
“Even within the smallest green lies all the purity and freshness of Eden.” This idea became the seed for Eden Moss, a home nestled in an ecological environment and imagined as a breath of freshness, evoking the scent of mud after rain, and seamlessly intertwined with nature while still embracing comfort and contextual charm. Nestled […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]
Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]
The door design for main door is a defining feature of any Indian home, embodying both style and cultural significance. In a country rich with diverse architectural traditions, the entrance to your home reflects not only personal taste but also cultural heritage. Whether you’re drawn to the intricate carvings of traditional Indian door designs or […]