The plot of 400 sq. yds., towards its south, abuts on a secondary road connecting the gujarat university road.
To its west, is a dense low rise old building. To the north is a residential bungalow with covered margins and a commercial building.
To its east is a house with open margins.
The house was required to give comfort to 4 generations.
The only requirement was to provide good rooms with maximum size and better ventilations and a flat terrace. A car parking facility for 3 to 4 cars was a must.
This house is designed to relate to the views and openings available without compromising privacy.
Since south was the only side which provided best light, ventilation and privacy, the design focused to gain maximum view, air and light by providing recesses as much as possible.
The client insisted on a design which could accommodate all their requirements within basement, ground and first floors.
Inspired by the Rajasthani stone work of a crafted elephant with a smaller crafted stone elephant inside it.
The idea was to translate the concept by designing a frame with an enclosed form. The frame encapsulates the built form.
The frame becomes the parapet at the terrace level and allows the air to move through the horizontal slit. A sense of expanse is felt as the frame ‘Frames’ the sky and lends a play of light. The recessed openings on the south face provide scope for air circulation and view. The wooden openings and DGU glass protect from the excess light, sound and heat inside the living spaces.
This play of light with the form lends a prudent expression and relief from the solid urban mass in the surrounding.
