Divya Bungalow

The design brief for this house in Surendranagar, a small industrial town in Gujarat was to create a large and comfortable home for an elderly couple and their grown-up children and their spouses who visit frequently. The site has two approach roads, one on the south and one on the east. We decided to take the entrance from the northwest corner using the smaller road on the east, and to keep a large private garden accessed from the living space towards the northwest corner.

The house is designed to be in accordance with Vaastu principles, with the lower floor containing a large living, dining, and kitchen area, as well as two bedrooms. A small court brings light and ventilation to the central lift and staircase lobby. The first floor has a large family recreational space with a puja niche and pantry counter, as well as three bedrooms and a home office space. The second floor contains a multipurpose room that can be used as a gym or hobby room, and a large terrace that can be used for parties in the evenings.

The building façade is a combination of khaki-coloured rough plaster, WPC fins, and fluted panels, which accentuate the window panels and add visual interest. A cantilevered canopy on the topmost level adds dynamism to the imposing façade. Cantilevered sheltered balconies towards the south frame the views of the large ground across the road. To protect the house from extreme weather, the southern and western sides have fewer openings and employ recessed windows and weather shades. The larger openings are more towards the east and north sides to allow for natural light and ventilation.

Location : Surendranagar, Gujarat

Year: 2021 onwards

Status: Ongoing

Built-up Area: 8,000 sq. ft

Structural Consultant: Ankit Bhalodi

Design Team: Santhosh M P, Aparna Santhosh, Swarada Kulkarni, Sayali Khairmode, Aishwarya Chavan