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
​
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
Slender Living
NEW DELHI
6000 SF
2013
Linear residential plots are an inevitable by-product of densification and growing cities all over the world are infamous for the limited frontage given to residential buildings. The brownstones of New York are rarely wider than 18’, shop-houses in Singapore have a breadth: length ratio of 1:8 or more and Tokyo routinely boasts narrow 15’ lots. Ashok Vihar in Delhi is like any rapidly densifying part of an Asian city where plots that were meant for single family homes are being replaced with multi-family apartments. In the case of this project, the available width for redevelopment was a mere 18’9”.
The building was raised above the road, allowing for a parking level along the entire length of the property. Vertical circulation elements were paired with a courtyard in the centre of the plan, allowing for the edges to be free for the residential spaces. At the front, the living room was pushed out, bringing in light from two sides, whilst still allowing for the kitchen to enjoy the views and get considerable daylight. At the rear, two bedrooms share the width equally and the central dining and family space is illuminated by the courtyard.
A combination of functional requirements is expressed on the façade. The lower two floors were combined to make a 4 bedroom duplex apartment, while the two upper apartments have 2 bedrooms on a single level. The master bedroom on the first floor overlooks a deep veranda formed by recessing the building line. Sand blasted Jaiselmer stone is used on the façade to complement the strong cubic volumes. While the building may currently appear taller than its neighbours, the scale will eventually change to reflect the urban development of the region.