Studio an-v-thot Architects pvt. ltd.

The project was perceived as a creation of rectangles within a square, which clearly took us to benefitting proportions during the planning. This was the answer to a rather questionable site which sat on an almost square plot 55 x 58, thus generating a challenge as well as curiosity to achieve a depth of travel and sight. Speaking of facade, the complete 25 high structure can be seen as volumes and voids sharing spaces, overlapping and inter-changing their behaviour as well as presence.

The vertical edge of the corner is sliced open in a tapered hugging manner with MS pergola on the roof level adding the play of shadows & light. Insertion of MS jali is eminent at various places. Use of sober Orange textured paint balances its harmony through the cladding of Dholpur stone on to the left tower. Compressed laminate sheets in exposed wooden grains add to the material palette. Altogether the volumes & voids forming the face of the house are a result of interior space planning & layout. The interiors of the house can be seen as a mix of modern as well as traditional aspect of design evolving as the contemporary India. The circulation pattern gives rise to a dramatic story within and beyond, untold everyday of existence.

The whole house catering to a small family of four revolves around and about a dense green focal point; the impact of the so created courtyard can be felt from the entrance as well as the private areas of the house. Here, the plus is actually two axes which generated 4 rectangles within a square that goes from end to end of the plot. This in turn leads to a comfortable travel of air and natural light through-out the house. The courtyard has a sunken pebble bed with glass top, which acts as a stage hosting the court. Italian stone Diana has been used throughout the flooring, with its grains leading to the court. Wooden flooring is also used at places to add warmth. A lot of sit-outs have been planned & placed at various intervals within the house to add story. Extensive use of jali can be seen as partitions which are then repeated in furniture as well. The ceiling of the lobby leading to the court is finished with veneer backed by commercial board which follows through the glimpses of backlit onyx stone in Puja, sea green lacquered glass in Kitchen, as well as a wall of wallpaper in the Dining. Traditional inserts can be seen in the rear door leading to the backyard which overlooks the coffee corner through the double height where the Palm reaches its footstep.

The backyard hosts a small shower pool adjoining the garden. A small bar sits as a vertical extension to the drawing room at the mezzanine level with a small pantry, a washroom & a private balcony. This area is enclosed with a lot of backlit onyx stone, white PU pigment paint & dark veneer where green fabric on the furniture adds youthfulness. The master bedroom & the childrens bedroom are designed to evolve as two characters with former being warm & the latter being young. The master bedroom has a play of browns and off-whites added by Victorian wallpaper & neo-Victorian wall lights as well as a chandelier. The raised study in the childrens room has a glossy pigment paint with pastel green laminate adding to the blue & white pin-up board. The same colour palette is repeated on the rug & curtains. A plenty of hanging lights & custom-designed ceiling lights have been used throughout the house adding glamour and warmth. The threshold between the ground and the first floor has a four paneled false wall water-painted with a splash of multiple colours by the designers themselves. Altogether its a house with spaces of varying identities yet similar character. Fact File: Project Name: The Plus House Location: Panipat, Haryana Design Team: Studio An-V-Thot Architects Pvt. Ltd. Photo Credits: Saptorshi Majumdar Completion Date: March 2014