Set within a quiet gated community in Bhuj, the Bhanushali House is designed as an open plan house design that is a calm & connected space for a multi-generational family. Built on a compact west-facing plot of 163 square yards (8m x 17m), the house embraces its modest footprint with an open layout anchored by a central courtyard, a space that brings in light, connects all levels, and creates a sense of togetherness.
This Open Plan House Design Embraces Modesty | Flamingo Architects
The entrance, located at the northwest corner of the site, leads through a framed gate to a shaded, elevated porch. A tall, north-facing wooden door opens into a double-height foyer, where a large upper window brings in generous daylight. This space sets the tone for the house, open, warm, and filled with natural light.
On the ground floor, living, dining, and kitchen spaces are designed in an open-plan layout. The living room features an L-shaped wooden sofa that looks out to the front garden. But it’s the triple-height courtyard at the center of the house that becomes the real heart of the design.
The designers placed the dining table within this courtyard, turning daily meals into shared moments under soft daylight. They also integrated a small mandir, offering a quiet corner for prayer that can be enclosed when needed.
The courtyard features textured concrete walls with vertical grooves and is topped by a glass roof supported by a light metal pergola structure. As sunlight shifts through the day, the space changes in mood. Also, adding a dynamic, almost meditative rhythm to the interiors. Adjacent to it, a C-shaped metal staircase with wooden handrails rises along the edge, visually linking all three levels.
At the back, the open kitchen, finished in terrazzo stone, connects to a shared toilet and a mother’s bedroom that opens into the backyard garden. This relationship between indoor comfort and small pockets of greenery continues throughout the house.
The designers choose materials that are low-maintenance yet expressive. Kota stone flooring, white ceilings, and terrazzo-clad surfaces keep the palette minimal and bright. A terrazzo floor with white marble inlays highlights the central courtyard and the connecting bridges on the upper floors. A small ledge on the metal partition between the living and dining areas also doubles up as a study table for the children. A detail that quietly supports everyday family life.
On the first floor, a bridge spans the courtyard, connecting the master bedroom and the children’s bedroom.
The master suite includes a walk-in closet and bathroom and opens onto a west-facing balcony with a planter bed that buffers harsh sunlight. A small interior window opens into the foyer, maintaining visual connection between levels.
The children’s room on the opposite side is designed to be playful, with a bunk bed above a double bed, a reading window seat facing east, and a cozy rocking chair.
A large window looks down into the courtyard so that the kids remain connected to the home’s central space even when tucked away in their room.
Their bathroom continues the cheerful palette with white stone, green marble, and terrazzo finishes.
On the second floor, the brother’s bedroom sits quietly above the children’s room. A striking book-matched Italian marble headboard grounds its minimal grey palette.
Towards the front, a garden terrace extends the living space outdoors. Rough-polished Kota stone flooring and brick-clad walls give the terrace a tactile, natural feel, while metal pergolas provide soft shade. Further, it makes it an ideal spot for morning tea or watching sunsets.
Grey textured finishes, brick cladding, and clean white surfaces define the exterior of the house with a balanced mix. Further, brought to life by carefully placed greenery. It’s a simple, timeless palette that feels both rooted and contemporary.
What truly defines this home, though, is the way the central courtyard ties everything together. It brings light, establishes visual connections across floors, and acts as the emotional core of the house. Much like an elder in the family, the courtyard quietly anchors the everyday life that unfolds around it. Moreover, offering warmth, presence, and a sense of calm.
Fact File
Designed by: Flamingo Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Bhanushali House
Location: Bhuj, Gujarat, India
Year Built: 2024
Duration of the project: 2022 – 2024
Built-up Area: 3100 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ar. Faisal Khatri
Team Design Credits: Vanita Vekariya, Feroz Kumbhar, Mohit Gajjar, Soheb Khatri & Harsh Parekh
Photograph Courtesy: Sohail Wazir
Firm’s Website Link: Flamingo Architects
The Firm’s Instagram Link: Flamingo Architects
Firm’s Facebook Link: Flamingo Architects
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