House 92/231 | Kacholiya Architects | Jaipur
Located in a dense residential colony in Jaipur, House 92/231 entertains a close knitted family of 8 people in a duplex space which spans over 2 floors.
The owner gave the architect a simple, challenging yet precise brief. He wanted a space that prioritizes communication and has abundant access to natural light, he wanted it to be cost effective with minimal ornamentation, and finally, he wanted his space to be strictly compliant with Vastu.
There were several challenges with the site as well. The site was flanked by G+2 structures on either side restricting access to natural light on these sides and only allowing natural light from the front(east) and back(west). Also, Vastu dictated the positions of a lot of crucial spaces in the house: like the position of Kitchen in the front, the Master Bedroom in the south west part of the house, the position of the staircase, etc.
Looking at these factors, the architect decided to employ a duplex structure. This enabled vertical communication throughout the house, while also maximizing the individual functions of each space.
The Ground floor which acts as an informal living + dining space is designed to act as the heart of the house. It is shared by the whole family to spend time together and eat their meals every day. A double height structure, it is the largest space in the house with access to skylights from the north side which fills this space with ample natural light.
The interior design of this space is carefully curated through the use of an elegant color palette of teak brown and white. This keeps the space classic and graceful, enabling it to multiply the existing light, while also creating a blank canvas which the family can fill with their choice of furniture and artifacts and make it truly their own. It also allows for maximum flexibility as the family can renew it time and time again without incurring significant costs.
One constraint of this living + dining space was that the position of the staircase was fixed and dictated by Vastu. The Architect however decided to turn this constraint into its strength. Crafted from Metal and Wood, the frame of the staircase was created using raw C channels while the tread and landing were given a rusty wood finish. This made sure that it acts not just as a device for vertical transportation but also doubles down as a sculptural element, instantly making it the focal point of the house. In addition, the architect also decided to install a water body under the staircase. This creates a calming effect throughout the entire space which beautifully complements its other design elements.
As we move up – from the ground floor to the first floor of the house, there is a noticeable and welcome shift in the design aesthetic. While the ground floor carried a more muted & minimal tone, the first floor can be described as having a more antique and rustic feel.
This shift is most noticeable in the flooring. The floors are given a leather + lappato finish. This process amplifies the natural characteristics of granite making it extremely pleasant to touch, and one can feel its impact the most while walking barefoot which the family is habitual of. Not only is the finish easy on the eyes, it is also stain resistant, clean and easy to maintain.
The first floor also houses the Master Bedroom, which is situated in the south west part of the house. It is inhabited by a newly wed couple and designed accordingly by the architect. The focal point of the room is an antique and exquisite four poster bed which acts as the only piece of decor in the room. The design language of the room is kept minimal on purpose as too many colors and textures can make the space visually distracting which is counter intuitive to the needs of the occupants. This clean and unimposing aesthetic also gives them all the room to experiment and find their own style.
The second bedroom is occupied by the young daughter of the client, and it had its own share of challenges. The space was a bit limited and the architect had to fit 4 different spaces here: a balcony, a dressing space, bedroom and a bathroom. Also, Vastu dictated the position of the bathroom which made the task even tougher. Looking at these factors, the architect decided to take an open plan approach to the space. This approach combined the circulation areas of all 4 spaces while making each space and in turn the entire room bigger and more spacious.
Since they’re all working, the whole family does not have the time to engage in entertainment activities on a regular basis, therefore they wanted it to be special when they occasionally do. Keeping that in mind, the architect designed the second floor as a recreational and entertainment space to be used for get together and special occasions.
It houses a state of the art Home Theatre system with multiple formal and informal seating arrangements. The architect also carefully utilized leftover fabric material from the client’s bed sheet making business to design beautiful acoustic paneling making the space cost effective yet functional. Just outside the Home Theatre space is a multi-purpose hall for gatherings with friends and family surrounded by a beautiful terrace garden with sitting areas and spaces where the family engages in daily yoga sessions and other bonding activities. The terrace also receives soft diffused light throughout the day which compliments the activities it is designed for.
Taking all the warm and inviting cues from inside, the exterior of the house borrows a similar design language. The wooden palette from the inside is continued on the outside as well in the form of exterior wooden cladding while a large part of the facade is fitted with exposed brick cladding which in itself makes an elegant and understated statement.
FACT FILE
Project Name : House 92/231
Design Firm : Kacholiya Architects
Principal Designer : Ar. Kunal Kacholiya
Project Location : Jaipur, Rajasthan
Project Type : Residential
Photography Credits : True Vision
