Kumar Moorthy & Associates

Residence on 375 square yard plot for homeowner & one daughter. Two level residence with formal entertainment and daytime living spaces on ground floor and mainand daughter's bedroom spaces opening onto a terrace /terrace garden on first floor. Guest bedroom  provided on second floor along with a study room. 
 
DESIGN NOTE

- The residence designed to have a streamlined contemporary look with simple uncluttered lines and detailing to achieve lasting visual qualities. The residence juxtaposes a contemporary feel and minimal look with the incorporation of old woodwork, stone work  and artefacts into the architectural detailing

- The residence designed with specially sourced exposed slate chip cladding, matching the antique column, as an exterior finish, contrasted with textured white paint. Extensive wooden elements provide counterpoint & highlight.

- The use of the central atrium, off the minimal yet sculptural glass, wood & steel staircase & the wooden floored bridge at an upper level, as a double height space to knit together spaces on various levels into a single family residential unit.

- The residence has light filled airy expansive interiors with minimization of interior walls and divisions to the extent possible. Through view from front to rear has been incorporated with separations provided with large expanses of clear glazing and sliding doors, which disappear into recesses as needed, to isolate space for effective airconditioning.

- Maximization of natural orientation with respect to early morning and winter sunshine and prevailing breeze directions while minimizing impact of  summer sunshine to the extent possible. The rear rooms pick up morning sunshine, winter sun streams in thru the south facing skylight of the atrium including into the master bedroom and the front is protected from westerly sun by the verandah & deep overhangs at ground floor level and by the opportune existing tree as well as the louvers shading the master bath at the upper level

- The design maximizes garden space available in terms of both acess to and to enable views of garden spaces from as many of the daily use spaces as possible on the ground floor including living, tv lounge and  dining rooms. The rear margin has been used as small walled court to render views of greenery to the dining room at the back. The central atrium brings a splash of lush foliage  light to the heart of the house and to enable dual views of verdure & garden spaces to most rooms. The upper floor master bedroom opens onto a small private walled & skylight green court as an upper level offshoot of the atrium as also onto an optimum sized front facing terrace. The central stairs & bridge are afforded a view of the central atrium as one walk through & around the house. The second floor study opens onto a south west facing terrace in the dappled shade of the existing trees.

- The residence tries to  soften the look of the two storeyed building with the use of stepped back levels and terraces towards the front.  The wooden louvred screen wall of the bath court also contributes to breaking up the overall massing.

- The house is built around an extensively landscaped atrium at ground level.

- Multiple green views from vantage points within the house.

- Corner windows to blur the definition of inside & outside.

- The enclosed private bath court in the “ master bath with a view” which has been finished completely in glass, including the wall tiles, counter, cabinet shutters, partition and the doors into the courtyard as a neutral foil to the view.

- The house, with it white walls, gleaming beige Italian marble floors and straight line detailing in wood & stainless steel  attempts to provide  a neutral, calm yet crisp foil to the owners collection of exquisite furniture, art & artifacts. Occasional whimsical bright splashes of colour eg, in the daughters bathroom, or the anique stained glass window provide some

Photo Credits: Eyepiece Photography