FACT FILE

SIX OF HOUSES

When approached by the Lohanas, the client, with 50 years of experience in the garment business, the architects were given the task of building six houses in a row, each on a plot of 1,500 sq ft, with different requirements for each house. However, they wanted all of the houses to have a balanced look and feel, posing an interesting challenge for the architects. In three of the houses, there were to be four bedrooms with a home theatre in the basement, while the other three houses had to be designed with five bedrooms with a home theatre in the basement.

MINDFUL IN DESIGN

Since the plots were relatively small and the requirements elaborate, the architects had to be mindful of functionality, natural light, and ventilation throughout these houses.

To achieve this, they left the north and east directions open in most of the houses, providing ample sunlight while maintaining privacy. The orientation of the houses also created a wind tunnel, promoting comfortable cross-ventilation throughout.

Interestingly, despite the family being quite large with four brothers and two cousins, they chose to live beside each other with small floor plates instead of opting for a large floor plate among them. This decision allowed them to maintain a sense of togetherness while also preserving their privacy.

LAYERS OF THE PLAN

The entrance to these small but elegant houses opens in the living room which seamlessly blends with the dining area and the rest of the house. The entrance is marked by the teak wood shoe unit topped with casual seating space that increases the holding capacity of the room. The living room is located on the east side of the house and is designed for comfort. It features art pieces and a muted colour palette in every house. The ceiling of the living room is left exposed and features intricately designed lights that add to the charm of the room.

The staircase is situated next to the living room, with the staircase positioned against the south wall. It has an open-to-sky cutout that creates a stunning impact with the play of sunlight that filters in, seeping even into the basement. Each house has a different art embedded in it, giving them their own distinctive character. The staircase itself is cast in RCC and floats from landing to landing, with Jodhpur stone used for the treads.

The dining area of each house is situated in the middle of the floor plan and is open towards the north, where every house has a niche-like corridor that channels in natural light and ventilation. This design choice gives the feeling of a larger space, extending the dining area and making it feel open and inviting.

Moving on to the kitchen, it is located in the northwest direction in all of the houses. Despite the small area, it has been well-crafted and designed to accommodate all the necessary equipment and storage spaces. The kitchen is supported by an outdoor utility area located at the back of the house, allowing for easy access to the outdoor space while working in the kitchen. Overall, the kitchen is functional and efficient while maintaining an aesthetic appeal that is consistent with the design of the rest of the house.

PLACING THE BEDROOMS

The parent bedroom is compact but well-connected. It is located on the ground floor next to the dining and kitchen areas, without compromising on functionality. The remaining bedrooms in each of the six houses have been designed to be compact yet spacious enough to provide sufficient storage, dressing, and toilet space. They are situated in both the front and rear areas of the houses, with those at the front facing east and those in the rear, facing west.

Each bedroom features a glass balcony on the north side into the clearance left to draw light. This provides the occupants with the opportunity to step out under the open sky without sacrificing their privacy.

The bedrooms facing east also have a unique feature in the form of an openable screen. This screen allows for a partial vision towards the road while still maintaining privacy from passersby. The screen can be opened up as and when required to let in more light and enhance the view.

The basement of each house features a specially designed home theatre, where the family can gather for entertainment. The theatre has been designed with a blend of partial stone cladding and partial fabric, creating a unique and interesting visual experience. To add to the excitement, bold and vibrant colours have been used to enhance the atmosphere of the theatre, making it a perfect place for the family to enjoy their favourite movies and shows in the comfort of their own home.

On the last floor, the houses with four bedrooms have a front-facing part terrace while the houses with five bedrooms have two bedrooms with a balcony facing the front.

MATERIAL SUMMARY

In designing the six houses, careful considerations were given to the choice of materials used in each home. The aim was to create a unique identity and soul for each house while maintaining a balance in the overall look and feel.

One major element used in all the houses was the exposed concrete wall of the staircase. In each house, the concrete was cast with a different embedded art piece, creating a unique character for each house. Additionally, the floor pattern in the dining and first-floor lounge was also attended to differently in each house, further enhancing the uniqueness of each home.

The areas where the openings stand to compromise privacy, the openings feature an intricate metal lattice made of corten steel. These jalis add character to the spaces with how the light undulates and penetrates the living zones. Bold colours have been featured in the home theatre in the basement, giving the space a vibrant feel. Partial stone cladding and partial fabric add texture to the walls.

Overall, the use of unique and carefully selected materials contributed to the character of each house while maintaining a sense of coherence externally throughout the row of six homes.