A three-level bungalow in Vadodara designed for a traditional Gujarati joint family
This home by K.N. Associates was built with exposed brick and RCC; the structure is contemporary, while being rooted to its site and context
Exterior
Exposed brick as well as RCC come together in this home, with pergolas visible on open terraces. An open courtyard is nestled within the C-shaped footprint of the structure. Semi-open spaces abound, acting as buffers between the living areas and the garden, to be enjoyed in conducive weather. Wooden columns, arches and brackets salvaged from old structures have been used strategically, on an occasional porch or a balcony, to create a jharokha. The extravagant detail in their carvings contrast with the straight lines of the architecture, which is without frills. But in this bold, unexpected gesture, the tones of the old wood and the terracotta of the brick come smoothly together without jarring. In India, such columns can be sourced from Gujarat, Rajasthan or even the south. We were careful to choose the ones from Gujarat, to root the home to its location.
Alongside the major diamond and textile industry, recent other sectors such as oil, shipping and metallurgy have contributed to the growth of Surat into a sprawling metropolis in a very short time, making it one of the richest cities in the country and one that is highly vibrant in character.
Located only 20 km away from the hustle bustle of the city is the coastal town of Dumas, marked once by its numerous havelis (mansions) for the Nawabs (noblemen of the kings), now its peaceful setting is the reason people opt to move here from the city. The site for the house of a jeweler couple and the family of their son, lies minutes away from the coast and required only some elevation over the palms, to be able to afford breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea. An old baori (fresh water well) was found on site, a rare find in the coastal regions – and the joining of these two waters and weaving them through the house, became the driving force of the design.
Located in the Porsche area of Vadodara, this 4bhk apartment of 2,300 sq ft is luxurious as well as minimal which is truly one-of-a-kind.
The main door designed here is adorned with striated textured MCM Cladding for giving a raw and robust look to the Entrance. This door is a reflection of the contemporary style that runs throughout the space. Upon the entrance, you’ll be greeted with a sense of understated elegance and sophistication that is carried throughout the interior. The vestibule here is attached to a temple adding positivity and spiritual vibes to the house. This space has been designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, with a simple yet striking design that sets the tone for the rest of the interior. The use of a circular mirror on the backdrop highlights the space in a unique way.
Large plots are not essential for lavish homes, but thoughtful space planning can break the limitations of small plots making it breathable, inviting adequate natural light and ventilation. Cradled in the posh residential area of Ahmedabad, Paldi, this Narrow House is a unique example of balancing the yin and the yang of the architecture as well as interiors incorporating nature within the build forms.
The extension block at Dr Dhaval Rajnikant Mehta primary school is a depiction of the age-old Indian tradition of gaining knowledge under a tree located at the centre of the village. The village of Shapar is an industrial settlement with most of its population being daily wage factory workers from different Indian states. The children often quit education due to the nature of the parent’s jobs and wind up looking after their younger siblings and providing them meals.
However, this school has students way more than the infrastructure they had because of good education and free midday meals. This encouraged the parents to send students to school and take interest in their educational well-being.
Pleasing Interiors is all about the right proportions of material and textures along with balancing client’s requirements & an effective program. This is a 4-member family apartment having a total carpet area of 2200 sq. ft. The initial brief of the client was that it should be stylish, subtle & under-stated luxury but at the same time it should have its separate functional value.
Another brick in the wall and yet not just a brick in the wall:
KN Associates, sure knows their way around to find distinctiveness and centrality at whatever they are looking…
PUSHPATMA began at a rather sweet note where the homeowners were a simple, close-knit family who wanted a humble abode; that hits a sugary note with every modern, contemporary as well as culturally-steeped elements.
The house comes across as a geometrical riot where different forms of squares, rectangles and circles are visibly juxtaposed. Thereby, adding a lot of vibrancy, interesting massing and life to the building.
The Perched House stands true to its name; wherein the first floor mass hangs effortlessly on the ground floor, forming a minimal and indulging architectural elevation. The house rests in a modest plot size of 6800 sft. The dwelling of 3 bedrooms, common spaces and an entertainment room takes upto 6000 sft in its built form.
A house is not just the elevation but also the planning. Much time had gone into planning the house such that everything is well-connected vertically and horizontally as well as keeping the house naturally well lit and ventilated. This thought formed the idea of having a double height space as the heart of the house. This south-west facade opened up to the margin courtyard on the outside and was a dining room in the inside. The open floor plan on the ground floor meant that only the bedroom was enclosed, while all the remaining common spaces were visually and physically well connected by partition screens and glass partitions.
Located on the outskirts of Mehsana, this farmhouse was built for the clients who had just one requirement – a three-bedroom house. Hence the architects were given complete freedom to explore various materials, colors, and building techniques. The house was designed based on the principles of passive design. Maximizing the natural flow of air and daylight was necessary for the hot and dry climate of Gujarat located in western part of India. The transition of open and built spaces highlights the use of colors and the play of light and shadows throughout the house.
This project involved creating a simple, functional home for a small entrepreneurial family with an appreciable creative streak. The client runs a thriving business, but is also an enthusiastic poet, while his son is an avid wildlife photographer.