Nilanjan Bhowal

Concept in Design Development:
The design brief by the client explained that they wanted the House o be elegant, yet functional, visually appealing. At the same time simple materials should be highly detailed and easy to maintain. Spaces should be generous and open, yet functional and well defined. The residence should exude warmth coziness of a single coherent home. The design of the house is closely knit around a central atrium and a covered courtyard with all the habitable spaces articulated around it.

Functionality:
Residence 1730 is a single family habitat split horizontally into spaces based on their functionality. The ground floor is purely the public space, the basements for recreation (home theatre, bar, pool table, music room) while the first and second floors have the private areas. Hence functionally the residence is layered horizontally as per the usage of spaces.

Contextual Reference & Environmental Concerns:
The residence being a sandwiched plot had only the two shorter sides’ open for light & ventilation. Hence an open to sky Atrium is the central feature which binds all the spaces as well as provides natural elements of light & air.

Another courtyard provides cross- ventilation and light to the interior spaces.

The longer sides face North - South which insulate from the heat and cold and are kept solid. Maximum light is drawn from the 2 courts and the east facing front facade with large glazing. Internal court and the terraces at each level have been designed as green areas for ecological concerns.

Sensorial & Spatial Experiences:
Spaces are planned according to the functions and hierarchy. As one enters the house, one comes to the triple height family lounge around which the spaces are articulated. The drawing room faces the park and an internal courtyard while the steel staircase connects the spaces vertically.

The basement has all the recreational functions – Home Theatre, Bar/pool table etc. and is a large column frees space opening to a sunken court at the back.

The first floor has the Master’s & Children’s bedrooms while the second floor has the Guest bedrooms. The private spaces open out towards private terraces.

Detailing / Use of Materials:
Textures, on furniture and walls, fabrics and linen have been varied to create a mélange of experiences. A minimalist approach has led to a very simple definition of aesthetics. – “Elegance is always understated”. Stone and plaster has been used with varied finishes to demarcate and define spaces. Contrasting textural finishes have been created with contrasting materials. Duco finished metal with P.U polished wood has been used in the stairs. High gloss diamond polished Botticino marble contrasts with rough finished Travertine.

Lighting plays an important role in creating an ambience and indirect and diffused lighting highlights the artifacts and spaces. Artifacts of varied finishes and glossy surfaces which are subtly lit up create visual interest in the interior spaces.

Originality / Innovation / Creativity:
The project interiors are exemplified by their completely different colour palette shades & hues of dark olive; deep green, burnt sienna etc. the rendering of surfaces is very stark, bold, and uncluttered. The interior spaces open out to outdoor greens and the juxtaposition of double height spaces and level variations create spaces within the residence.