This modern bungalow house design is situated in a rapidly growing urban neighbourhood in Nashik City. The plot measured around 191.00 sq. m, and being a twin plot in an approved layout, the western face of this plot had to be a ‘common wall’ with no fenestration permissible on that side. The requirement was for a four-bedroom area for family get-togethers.

The Sahni siblings (Mr. Santosh Sahni and Neelam Sahni) wanted to have a subtle yet articulated aesthetic language and materiality for their landscaped terrace area for family get-togethers. The clients wanted to have a subtle yet articulated aesthetical language and materiality for their residence. Being a nature and pet lover, Mr. Santosh Sahni particularly wanted to incorporate some realistic greenery into the external appearance of his house. He believed that this would also create a more inviting and natural environment.

This Modern Bungalow House Design in Nashik is Functional and Aesthetic | Studio Frozen Music

Planning the layout

The planning and aesthetic language of the house evolved to meet these functional requirements. It also reflects the client’s subtle yet classy aesthetic taste. As per the twin plot constraint, with only three faces—North, South, and East—we got to orient the functional spaces.

The ground floor consists of public spaces like living, dining, kitchen, and parents’ bedrooms. All are arranged around a small courtyard and a staircase, which are placed adjacent to the west-side common wall. The duo of the staircase and courtyard play a pivotal role in the functional arrangement of this house.

Courtyard – A Visual Link

The courtyard not only makes up in terms of providing light and air ventilation that was somewhat lacking due to the closed western façade (common wall), but also acts as a visual link that establishes an interactive dialogue between the lower and upper floor spaces.

The square skylight above the courtyard roof slab fills the interior space with ample sunlight and provides a sense of visual openness and connection with the adjacent staircase.

Material pallet and aesthetical language

The exterior aesthetic composition is kept subtle and minimal. The combination of elements, like form-finish concrete textures accentuated with some lush green planters, adds to the textural variety of the structure. The elements like M.S. pergolas and landscape planters on the terrace also add to the overall visual expression, freshness, and compositional balance of the structure.

The materials and colour palette used for the interiors are based on offering a homogeneous uniformity to the spaces while still adding some personalised touches in some selective areas.

These personalised variations, in terms of changes in veneer or laminate usage, wall tile patterns, etc., create a sense of individualistic identity for each member of the family. Matt-finished grey-coloured floor tiles and black leather-finished granite add to the rustic warmth of the interior spaces.

All bedroom and balcony doors are in veneer finish and are kept full height up to the beam bottom. It also has a louvred ventilator on top, which helps with some added light and ventilation. 

Contextual Contrast

On the southern side of the bungalow, a large-scale high-rise residential development is ongoing. From the bungalow visuals, one can easily see the immense difference in scale and proportion. The ‘contextual contrast’ one may certainly feel is scaring and visually sabotaging the presence and appeal of this tiny bungalow structure. 

But that does not seem to be the case. This bungalow, despite its unavoidable setting against such a gigantic backdrop, attempts to establish its humble yet graceful presence. This also gives an articulated visual distinction to passersby. Its humane’scale’ generates a feeling of cosiness, warmth, and also of a crafted personalised abode for a family.

Fact File

Designed by: Studio Frozen Music

Project Type: Residential Architecture Design

Project Name: Sahni Residence

Location: Nashik, Maharashtra, India

Year Built: 2019-2023

Project Size: 3000 Sq.ft

Principal Architect: Ar. Mahesh Deepak Shirke

Photograph Courtesy: Hemant Patil

Client: Neelam Sahni & Santosh Sahni

Structural: Sunil H. Patel, Nashik

Civil Contractor: Mr. Krishna Jadhav

Materials used: RCC Frame Structure with brick walls, Form finish concrete, M.S pipes, Vitrified tiles flooring, Veneers and Laminates, black leather finish Granite, Jaquar sanitary ware and conceal fittings.

Firm’s Instagram Link: Studio Frozen Music

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