This two-storey home thoughtfully designers architecture and nature into a harmonious dialogue, taking advantage of a spacious foreground filled with lush greenery and a meandering driveway that gracefully leads up to the house.
The building places a bold architectural gesture on display: the first floor cantilevers in two directions, forming a dramatic canopy that welcomes visitors into the villa and simultaneously creates shaded transitional zones that merge into the surrounding landscape.
This Two-Storey Home With a Cantilevered First Floor Makes A Bold Statement | Abin Design Studio
The architects designed the residence’s lower floor to extend the terrain, blending it into Purulia’s wild, natural beauty. Landscaped elements overflow into the built environment, embracing the native topography and vegetation, which act not only as visual connectors but also as thermal buffers that protect the home from the region’s intense summer heat. “The design programs this floor for recreation and engagement with nature, with expansive shaded canopies and openings that foster a direct physical connection between the indoors and the outdoors.”
In contrast, the upper level hosts more private and introspective spaces.“The architects carefully place lounges and private rooms to frame panoramic views of the green expanse surrounding the house.”These spaces offer a tranquil retreat, elevated above the lively ground plane yet visually tied to the lush setting.
An important consideration in the design was accommodating the needs of the homeowner, an avid art and sculpture collector. “The designers conceived the two-storey home not just as a residence, but as a flexible, living gallery.” Spatial configurations allow for the seamless display of artwork while maintaining the warmth and intimacy expected of a home. At the heart of the residence lies a large central courtyard that serves as a spatial anchor. It is illuminated by a dramatic circular skylight that casts dynamic patterns of light and shadow throughout the day. A sculptural staircase rises through this void, becoming a visual focal point that connects the two levels.
Climate responsiveness is central to the architectural approach. The harsh weather of the region is mitigated through a combination of passive design strategies—high ceilings enhance air circulation, overhangs and self-shaded floor plates minimise solar gain, and operable louvred screens on large windows offer flexible control over light and heat. Additional elements like buffer green zones, landscape cutouts, and shallow water features support passive cooling throughout the year.
The boundaries between interior and exterior are deliberately softened. Bio-pools, wooden decks, and landscaped courtyards flow seamlessly from indoor spaces, blurring the line between built and natural environments and creating a cohesive, immersive living experience grounded in nature.
Fact File
Designed by: Abin Design Studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Cantilever Residence
Location: Purulia, West Bengal
Year Built: 2024
Built-up Area: 11000 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Abin Chaudhuri
Team Design Credits: Abin Chaudhuri, Tilak Ajmera, Jui Mallik, Poorvi Dugar Ajmera & Paromita Chatterjee
Photograph Courtesy: Manan Surti Photography
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: Abin Design Studio
Firm’s Instagram Link: Abin Design Studio
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