search
  • This Courtyard Architecture Reintroduces the Sacred Court in Modern Homes | Studio Hu’mane

    In the heart of every home, the Angan stands as a sacred court. It is a personal yet public space that witnesses the playful childhoods, festive celebrations, gatherings, and even tranquility for one. This project makes an honest attempt to reintroduce the idea of a court in the design, amalgamating it with modern needs, embodying the essence of courtyard architecture.

    Editor’s Note: “Breathing through the courtyard, Angan is rooted in heritage narrating stories in stillness. Exposed brick and metal fins echo the warmth of old wadas amidst open spaces, inviting for conversations. It is a house where nature unfolds organically, time slows, space connects, and architecture nurtures the acts of everyday life.” ~ Anusha Sridhar

    This Courtyard Architecture Reintroduces the Sacred Court in Modern Homes | Studio Hu’mane

    Design Inspiration

    The client spent their early days in the old city of Pune. The process started with taking references from the core city, the site being located nearby. The Mutha River divides two distinct fabrics: the old, dense fabric and the new, scattered development. Despite its density, the old fabric has developed organically and therefore lacks defined boundaries. Narrow lanes, chowks, and courtyards blur these lines, fostering engagement.

    courtyard architecture

    In contrast, the new development that emphasizes planning has resulted in gated communities and various forms of compartmentalization. Moreover, the site sits within a gated community, inspiring a deeper exploration of de-compartmentalization. However, drawing references from the old fabric and embracing the idea of a courtyard, the design integrates this traditional element found in old wadas.

    Introduction of Angan

    Furthermore, the design gives architectural language to the idea of de-compartmentalization through a courtyard, reflecting traditional old wadas, which also align with the client’s brief. The angan, or the courtyard here, controls the compartments (programs) by balancing privacy. Moreover, it brings in transparency, and multifunctionality.

    courtyard architecture

    Form Development

    The form development started evolving with two blocks that connected through the service core and formed a courtyard. The design of the central courtyard becomes the focal point of the structure where the idea of inside-outside connectivity is formed. This connectivity in design is not only overlooked outside but also inside the house. The angan (courtyard) acts as the exterior facade for the private spaces inside. 

    Material Palette

    The warm material palette draws inspiration from the language of traditional wadas, therefore the use of exposed bricks, wood, and gray metals. This warm language is balanced with green landscapes and hardscapes in the interior and at the peripheries.

    courtyard architecture

    The overall structure appears as a lightbox, especially because of the well-lit courtyard. The use of transparent partitions like louvers, screens, and fins keeps the interior visually connected, bringing in natural light and ventilation as well. The ground floor houses parking and utility, with the first floor opening up at the courtyard with public and semi-private programs around, the private bedrooms taking up the second floor, and opening up in the same courtyard.

    Facade

    The facade was developed with the concept of Jharokha, (a traditional bay window), an architectural element with intricate design that is primarily climate responsive and also fosters connectivity. An attempt to reimagine this element in a modern and minimal way, it evolved from wooden louvers to finally into minimal metal fins that complement the brick facade.

    Fact File

    Designed by: Studio Hu’mane

    Project Type: Residential Architecture Design

    Project Name: THE ANGAN (COURTYARD) HOUSE

    Location: Pune, Maharashtra

    Year Built: 2024

    Principal Architect: Ar. Sunil Hu’mane

    Photograph Courtesy: Rahul Shah

    Façade aluminium fins: Hunter Douglas Architectural

    Sanitaryware: GROHE, TOTO

    Brick Facade: Jay Jalaram Bricks

    Source: Archello

    Firm’s Instagram Link: Studio Hu’mane

    For Similar Project >> A Nuanced Fusion of Minimalism and Scandinavian style, this Home is a Testament to Balance of Simplic

    This Contemporary Courtyard House Creates a Serene Urban Oasis | Ace Associates

    This contemporary courtyard house is designed within constraints that often give rise to the most creative solutions. This residence, nestled in a landlocked plot flanked by development on three sides, represents a unique architectural intervention that turns limitation into opportunity. The client’s vision was both unusual and ambitious: to create a twin house under one […]

    Read More

    This Multi Generational Home Blends Aesthetics & Functionality | Design Consortium

    This multi generational home is a testament to the ability of the design practice to blend aesthetic appeal with practical functionality. Keeping environmental sustainability and the welfare of the community at the forefront, Bhowal designed a home that was truly ahead of its time. His visionary approach and the Design Consortium’s expertise in providing a […]

    Read More

    Modern Luxury & Sophistication Shapes This Anand Home | Hiren Patel Architect Design

    In this modern luxury home, courtyards spill into living spaces, and the lines between inside and outside dissolve into a seamless whole. This 17,800 sq. ft. bungalow in Anand, by Hiren Patel Architects, blurs the boundaries between landscape, architecture, and interiors, creating a home where nature isn’t just the backdrop but an integral part of […]

    Read More

    This Monolithic Home in the Himalayas Evokes a Singular Silhouette | Portal 92

    Nestled in the foothills of the Shivalik range, the Himalayas is our latest project, Ekasham — a private residence refurbishment and redevelopment project, spread across an area of 2177 sqm. The monolithic home, through its volumes, composed of old and new structures, merges into a singular silhouette evoking the presence of a monolith from which […]

    Read More

    Ishaar, a Holiday Villa is Rooted in Brutalist Tactility and Calm | Addy’s studio

    Ishaar is rooted in the belief that architecture should not just be seen, but deeply felt. Drawing from brutalist principles and natural tactility, the holiday villa is designed as a sensory retreat, where material, sound, light, and temperature shape the guest’s experience. Set amidst rural farmland, the villa dissolves into its landscape through a choreography […]

    Read More

    Vishram Vaadi Nu Ghar is a Countryside House Design Immersed in Greens | Ikshhana Design Studio

    “Vishram Vaadi Nu Ghar” means a serene retreat amidst mango and chikoo farms, crafted to reflect the client’s vision in their mother tongue Gujarati. Vishram is a serene ground-touch structure offering breathtaking views of the Purna River and is a thoughtful example of countryside house design. Nestled amidst lush Amba and Chikoo Vaadi, the design […]

    Read More

    This Ezhupunna Home is Rooted in Eco-friendly Design | Judson Associates Architects & Interiors

    This single-story sustainable home in Ezhupunna blends traditional Kerala architecture with tropical, eco-friendly design. Inspired by the “kullakadavu” concept, a central pond encourages family interaction while enhancing the landscape. This Ezhupunna Home is Rooted in Eco-friendly Design | Judson Associates Architects & Interiors Despite being near lakes and beaches, adding a pond improves year-round moisture […]

    Read More

    Modest Houses in New Anjar Reflect Clarity and Intergenerational Harmony | Sulemans Design Studio

    In the heart of New Anjar, a small town tucked into the arid landscape of Kachchh, Gujarat, sits one of those modest houses designed with a quiet sense of clarity. Built for a Muslim family spanning three generations, the home isn’t trying to make a bold statement from its street-facing façade. Instead, it leans into […]

    Read More

    This Urban Residence Pairs Clean Lines with a Minimalist House Design Interior | Studio Rudrang

    The house showcases a modern three-story residence exemplifying contemporary architectural design through its clean lines, geometric volumes, and a balanced interplay of materials. The facade skillfully combines textured tile cladding, smooth plaster, and contrasting color blocks in neutral shades of gray, black, and earthy rust, adding visual depth and dynamism. Expansive glass panels framed in […]

    Read More

    House of Silhouettes Reflects Contemporary Modern Architecture | Shaunak Singh and Associates

    House of Silhouettes is located in Navratan, Udaipur. The plot is a corner one facing north and west 60’x40′ with a built-up area of 6500 sq.ft., designed in contemporary modern architecture as an independent house at three levels, including terrace. House of Silhouettes Reflects Contemporary Modern Architecture | Shaunak Singh and Associates This contemporary residence […]

    Read More
  • Duplex Interior Design of SKAI House Creates a Minimal and Cozy Abode | Studio MAT

    Enhance Your Cooking Experience with Ciarra Cooktop and Rangehood Combo