The architect designed the house with a vault roof specifically for an artist. The design of the house is based on two factors: site context and the client’s background. The original structure was a humble 2-bedroom GF residence. It was built 20+ years ago on the outskirts of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). The client sought to expand the vault roof house without demolishing the existing structure. The site is located in a hot and dry climate zone within a relatively densely populated area.
Editor’s Note: “The vaulted roof of this Aurangabad residence rises as a striking testament to architectural elegance. The captivating interplay of brick and concrete harmoniously converges, crafting a minimalist and serene ambiance. Thoughtful planning and exquisite attention to detail weave the interiors seamlessly with the outdoors, offering utmost privacy while embracing an open, natural spirit.” ~Simran Khare
This House With A Vault Roof is Specifically For An Artist | Vrushaket Pawar + Architects (VP+A)
The requirement of 4 BHK with a vault roof is spread across the three floors (GF, FF, and SF). Here, the living room, kitchen, dining room, master bedroom, and guest bedroom are located on the ground floor. The sons’ bedrooms are located on the first floor. Whereas, the den for the client himself is placed on the second floor.
The first floor’s exposed concrete cantilevered slab on the main stairs is a low-height space enveloped by prefabricated perforated panels on the roadside and an exposed brick wall on the terrace side. Thus, creating a perfect balance between privacy and openness.
However, allowing occupants to enjoy the view of large tree canopy in front of the house at the same time obscuring the view inside the house, from the road.
This also helped create a strong upward wind draft, removing the hot air from the kitchen, dining room, and master bedroom, especially in the summer.
In winter, you can enjoy sunlight in the centre of the ground floor without being exposed to chilly winds.
The dining room is strategically placed at the centre of the house, where we punctured the old slab to create a three-floor-high stepped courtyard. This design brings sunlight to the centre of the house throughout the year.
One bedroom is located on the NW corner, facing a large tree, and an apartment is across the road. We designed it with a high, vaulted ceiling to reduce heat gain in the summer and bring winter sun into the room from the south.
This also helps to maintain the privacy of the room, as vaults are cantilevered on the northern side only.
The designers designed the staircase in three different parts on different levels due to the old stairs being located in the northeast corner of the building.
This spatial planning approach towards the stairs transcended into a multi-level terraced design across three floors. This created an outdoor space for each room, each with its own unique identity.
The second staircase surrounds the central courtyard, which we built as a load-bearing structure using simple materials such as kota stone and first-quality brick. It overlooks the dining below while connecting to the artist’s “Den.”
The bedroom placed on the SW corner has fewer openings due to the hot, dry climate. However, we designed the toilets in both bedrooms with a skylight to maximise light and ventilation. Meanwhile, they are also creating space for planters to add interest to otherwise mundane daily tasks.
The Den is a special room where the client spends his time doing creative work like painting, thinking, and feeding fish! The room has glass on three sides and a lotus pond overhanging the courtyard. A free-standing brick jaali wall envelops the space, providing privacy and allowing for light ventilation. The room also has a partly high ceiling with one vault for the very same reason: passive cooling.
The den is placed in such a way that it has access to two different terraces with completely different views, from hills in the distance to large tree canopies with landscapes around, respectively. This room also has an indoor standing balcony overlooking the dining below, creating a visual and vocal connection between multiple levels.
We kept the material palette minimal, using humble materials such as Kota stone slabs, tiles, exposed brick, and concrete work, reflecting the client’s humble beginnings. We sourced the wood used in the project locally, reclaiming it from a very old wada. The stepped terraces, stairs, large vaults, and materials, in a way, unfold the artist’s life. Resilient, fluid, yet firm like his spirit.
Fact File
Designed by: Vrushaket Pawar + Architects (VP+A)
Project Type: Residential Architecture
Project Name: The Vaulted House
Location: AURANGABAD, INDIA
Year Built: 2024
Project Size: 3153.83 sq.ft
Source: ArchDaily
Principal Architect: Vrushaket Pawar
Photographs: PHX India, Jacob A Nedumchira, Sebastian Zachariah
Structural Engineer: Anil Datar
Contractor: Mr. Gulab
Carpenter: Janak Prajapati
Electrical Contractor: Rahul Jadhav
Plumbing Contractor: Vinod Bhosale
Wall Finishes Contractor: Manoj Giri
Firm’s Instagram Link: Vrushaket Pawar + Architects (VP+A)
For Similar Project >>> Atypical Take on Origami Inspired Office Interior Design | Vrushaket Pawar+Architects
The house incorporates elements of Persian design while adhering to a minimalist luxury motif. The concept is a deep journey with luxury as its language, seclusion as its promise, and functionality as its cornerstone. Known as the princess of Jaipur, it pirouettes in response to outside visual cues such as curves and smooth edges. A modern […]
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 […]
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 […]
Nestled in the upscale neighborhood of Naranpura, Ahmedabad, Visamo is a south-facing NRI bungalow that redefines luxury modern bungalow design through a seamless blend of contemporary architecture and biophilic design. Spanning a 7,330 sq. ft. plot with 10,000 sq. ft. of built-up area, this residence is a heartfelt homecoming for a young couple returning to […]
The client envisioned a quiet contemporary residence within the dense urban fabric—a contemporary home style that balances modern aesthetics with a lived-in warmth. Functionality, spatial fluidity, and a strong connection with nature were prioritized. The home was to accommodate a multigenerational family, enabling both communal and private moments without compromising on light, ventilation, or spatial […]
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 […]
Pillar design is a cornerstone of architectural elegance, seamlessly blending structural support with aesthetic appeal. Our blog, “50 Best Pillar Design Inspirations,” celebrates this essential element, showcasing a variety of styles from classical Doric and Ionic to contemporary and avant-garde innovations. Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, or a design enthusiast, these pillar design inspirations […]
This simple farmhouse design is a humble residence that responds to the climate and site. It is a fun fact that the house is both an inward and outward looking house at the same time. One of the USPs of the simple farmhouse design project would be that it connects well with the most playful […]