“When designing a home, it is not just about the immediate life but about its shelf life also.” — Huzefa Rangwala

There are few houses that manage to embrace their characteristic quality in the way that Glass House 91 does. An unconventional design for the architect Huzefa Rangwala to have delivered — this unique house is located in the village of Dhokawade, Alibaug in the state of Maharashtra on a plot measuring 23,442 sq. ft. This design has been crafted for a client who is an international jeweller. The client has strong attention to detail and enjoys working with individuals passionate about comprehending materials and techniques. Rangwala sits down for a candid chat with Buildofy to narrate the design story for this architectural piece.

FACT FILE

THE PLOT TWIST

Rangwala’s team found themselves dealing with an oddly shaped plot that has a narrow linear protrusion from the access road towards the north side before the land flares out into a workable mass where the home could be located. The land itself is surrounded by paddy fields that give the area a rural appeal with a feeling of detachment and isolation. The Glass House 91 leans into these features to deliver an experience that is like none other.

This linear patch leading up to the main house has been cleverly designed as an element that piques the interest of any visitor. This is done by treating the patch as a foyer into the main plot, with these areas separated by an opaque reflective door. Giving the illusion of walking through a portal, upon opening the door, one is greeted with the complete architecture laid out and perfectly framed by the doorway.

This dramatic reveal, according to Rangwala, sets the dais up for any visitor in terms of what they can expect from the home.

REVEALING THE PLAN

With a plan that is free of solid facades, the interiors have been designed to feel as if the site in its entirety comprises the living space. Clad in glass and with the roof supported by six columns, the living area has a seamless vantage in the east, west and north directions. A reflective pool flanks the north corner of the living room which cleanly segregates the living space from the surrounding hardscape.

With special attention to the interior plan, the furniture in the living area is angled to align with the staircase to the upper floor. It creates an interesting interactive experience for the occupants of this space, where they are not directly facing their company but facing the landscape outside instead keeping them in visual touch with the exteriors.

The wall on the back has a simple mosaic created of clear mirrors and black mirrors that reflect the occupants facing the wall, but further also reflect the exteriors along with a captivating piece of art by Nirvaiir. Inside, the angular staircase sneaks out of the living room without revealing what comes next, again continuing the play of interest that the house collectively indulges in.

Aligning it on the outside throughout the complete length is a swimming pool that reflects a delicate pattern of sunshine on the ceiling throughout the day.

ROOMS OF LUXURY AND LEISURE

One of the master bedrooms awaits at the top of the staircase that draws away from the living room. As if uplifting one from the plane of hassle and loud activity, the staircase offers an easy transition from the public living area into the quiet abode of the private bedroom. The space is sleek and cubic with a four-poster bed suspended from the ceiling commanding the centre. The northern wall opens onto an open-to-sky terrace which has the effect of removing you completely from the built mass and allows you an unrestricted view of the premise sprawled out below.

The other bedrooms are laid beyond the living room on the ground floor, lined against a longitudinal passage leading to the rear. The mirror-clad ceiling of the passage has red plexiglass cubes fixed onto it — adding another element of intrigue to the whole composition. This passage has two junior bedrooms and the main master bedroom at the end.

PLACE OF FEAST AND PLEASURE

This house exaggerates the experience of normal spaces by dramatising them successfully. For example, a special space created for the master bedroom on the ground floor lies at the very back of the house. Hidden away from the view behind a grove of bamboo is an open-air bath area. Awaiting here, inviting one to relax, is an outdoor bathtub and a minimal shower area.

Another area that arrests attention is the dining area. In an unconventional design decision, the dining area is isolated from the main house and located in the southeast corner of the plot. The room is designed as an element of focus with a moat surrounding it on all sides. Appearing like a pavilion, this structure takes on different characteristics by the day and by the night.

Dispersed throughout the landscape is a nook that houses the fireplace, a zen garden, an installation of reflective metal shards and the piece of art by Nirvaiir mentioned earlier. The landscape is divided into two by the softscape and the hardscape. The hardscape acts as a deck that allows guests to spill out when the client is entertaining a large group.

MATERIAL APPEAL

In a way, the house has been treated like a piece of jewellery. Every detail is put in place to go with the theme of luxe that glass exudes. The finishes throughout the house have been detailed accordingly.

The portal to the site at the entrance is a PVB-coated door with a gleaming champagne finish that sets the tone for what follows next. The lights and accessories with their metallic reflective sheen, the mirror-clad walls and ceilings, and the red cubes with their transparent and polished finish in the passage all go well with the properties of glass, making them appear as baubles created from the same family.

The house complements the glass with the Kadapa stone. The stone has been featured everywhere right from the deck to the internal walls, in the bathrooms to the floors. We see multiple finishes ranging from leather finish to flame finish and polished finish, and we also see it displayed in varied patterns like large tiles and square tiles to herringbone patterns.

To watch the complete walkthrough, view the material palette, and study the house plans in detail, visit Buildofy. Browse through our collection of featured luxury houses explained in depth by the top architects of India while you are there too.