Houses | South City Residence
The issue of privacy and independence was tackled with a different approach to the modern Indian family; two identical houses were designed which were joined together through balconies and a common compound area.
​6450 SF
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2019
Traditionally, the Indian family system has been associated with that of a joint family; in recent times, that has changed with each unit that is a part of the joint setup developing a specific requirement of space and privacy. The client brief necessitated a house for two brothers, on two adjoining plots.
The problem was tackled with a different approach to the modern Indian family; two identical houses were designed which were joined together through balconies and a common compound area. This gave the two brothers independent houses to project their vision and maintain a connection between both spaces at the same time. With a unified facade, the two houses end up looking one. Open spaces and connection with nature has been incorporated at varied levels with two gardens in the front and back of the house. A take on modern Indian joint family living space, Twin house sets a precedent for Indian homes today.
Houses | South City Residence
Retail & Hospitality | USI, Rohini
Houses | House X
Houses | South City Residence
Houses | House X
The house is envisioned with three main design elements on the front façade - a circular drum as living space is juxtaposed against a triangular wedge containing services, while a rectilinear cube establishes the boundary.
Location: New Delhi
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Typology: Sustainable Residence
Built up area: 1760 SF
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Principal Architect: Amit Khanna
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Completion Date: 2016
The building crafts an identity not only by geometrical forms, but also by materiality - the use of a perforated brick screen celebrates the famed Indian sun, while providing shade along the front surface of the wedge. The whole composition is framed in a rectilinear concrete square that is aligned to the diagonal east facing cut-out, orienting the overall geometrical composition.
Built at a budget of less than $18 per square foot within a timeframe of 6 months, the house establishes itself as a prototype of low-cost, sustainable urban housing, to ensure a pragmatic shift in the overall approach to design and construction strategies. The building is constructed primarily in exposed brick and concrete, lowering its cost of construction considerably, while allowing for endurance and material expression. Light grey, locally available Kota stone is used for the flooring that complements the overall aesthetic of the house. Designed to minimise heat gain in summers, while providing adequate levels of daylighting.
