Chitra Vishwanath

A dense urban context, a small site of 140 square meters, and a brief requiring individual multipurpose studio spaces for a brother and sister required that the  building be tall.

Since building with earth was the preferred choice of the client,the chosen method of construction was rammed earth in place of bricks which would have demanded space for making as well as storing the bricks. The earth was sourced from another site where a large basement was excavated and wherein extra soil was available.

In aesthetic sense the rammed earth walls strike the eye at first and then the horizontal layers, shades and hue lend a repose. The palette for this house is of the most basic materials used-- of exposed concrete, rammed earth, wood and glass.

In terms of layout, the two are  extremely identical studio units placed one above the other. Each unit has a double height living space with a kitchenette and a powder room at that level. An L-shaped mezzanine space above has a sleeping space and a bathroom.

The house is really a box which includes the good views and discards the urban eye sores with strategic location of openings and mix match of frosted and clear glass. The double upper mezzanine is almost a revelation as one walks around the house. This home is different from the rest in the neighbourhood on the count of technique and material use, as well as it's scale.