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Creating an elegant and comfortable modern house while staing within Client’s budget, is often a challenge to the architect. However, this house is perfect example which shows that overcoming this challenge is indeed possible
The two main requirements that influenced the design of this house are the site and the client’s brief. The client wanted a house which blended in with its surroundings with a lot of natural light and ventilation “we considered all these factors and realised that the ideal concept was a courtyard house,”
The small entrance lobby leads to the dining area of the house. “It is here that the unique beauty of the house is revealed. because dominating the house is a central courtyard with the dining, living and lobby spaces all arranged around it. “The house acts as a centralised organisation, with all the forces directed towards this central courtyard and everything is arranged around it,The dining area is to the left of the lobby, and immediately in front of the courtyard is the main living area. A few steps lead up to the living area, which is raised slightly from the other levels.
Internal walls have been used only when essential, for private areas such as bedrooms. The other areas have been kept open with the only limiting boundary being the outer walls of the house.
The ground floor also includes a kitchen, guest room and a parking area for three vehicles which lies in front of the courtyard. An interesting feature is the lack of a separating wall between the courtyard and the parking area. The area could be separated temporarily in case of need by drawing the bamboo blinds.
Next to the living area is the main staircase leading to the first floor. As on the ground floor, all the rooms have been built around the courtyard. Around this central space are the bedrooms, family, living and an office room. The first floor can also be accessed through a secondary stairway which is situated next to the parking area and leads directly to the office room, thus creating a self sufficient work space for the client
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The doors and windows are made of timber with a matt finish and designed to blend with the house rather than to attract attention. Since most areas open into the courtyard, very few windows were necessary. The furniture too is minimal.
“Everything was designed to reflect the traditional tropical nature of the house,” |
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