THE COURTYARD HOUSE

THE COURTYARD HOUSE

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Architecture and Interior Design for a House in Indore

Project area:  5,700 Sq.ft.  |   Completed Nov '18 

Owing to the brief by the client, the house stands true to the idea of vernacular and indigenous architecture yet following the contemporary lines. Our approach was to study the traditional Science, extract its essence, yet arrive at a fresh and innovative design. From Large palaces like Rajwada (Kings Palace) to small residential dwellings, almost all the houses, in this region, use to have such open to sky spaces, hence Courtyard became the driving factor for this residence Design.

Planning of the house is done in such a way that all the spaces are well connected to each other, in which the common spaces surround the central courtyard, and the private spaces are placed on the upper floors.

The transparency among internal spaces, the multiple terraces and the central courtyard help one enjoy the pleasant city weather.

Following an Introvert planning, the boundary wall is of 10’ height made in stone masonry, so as to break the visibility of internal spaces from the main road. A symbolic, antique door in the boundary wall greets one to the entrance of the house, giving a similar kind of look, which Indian village homes use to have. Upon entering the house you are greeted with an entrance verandah, car parking and a small garden.

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The Ground Floor is the social volume that accommodates Drawing room, Family room, Kitchen, Dining space, Courtyard and Parents bedroom. The central space is embraced with a Courtyard which acts as a transition space and is flanked on either sides with a Family room and a Drawing Room. It is the heart of the house. This Tranquil acts as an outdoor room, into which all the internal areas flow. It is an entertaining space in summers and provides relaxation beneath the sky. This calm space has an intimate connection with the interior spaces of the house. The Kitchen window overlooking the entrance helps to keep a vision on the outdoor activities. The first level is devoted to two bedrooms (one for the couple and the other for their daughter) with terraces that allow for comfortable ventilated and shaded semi-open areas. While the second level houses the son’s bedroom along with a multipurpose room for leisure activities under the sloping roof adding a character to the front façade of the residence
 
The material and the texture create an impression of harmony between the house and the nature itself.
Floors are covered with marble & locally available granite. Custom designed doors and windows are made of wood. Finally, the architectural qualities are reached through thoughtful details, clean geometrical forms and the aspiration to achieve simplicity. The choice of the material and finishes enhances the aesthetics of the interior. The courtyard has a brick wall with warli art on the niches, Terracotta tiles and copper vessels used to create fountains add up traditional look to the place. Toughened glass partition between the rooms on ground floor acts as an informal partition and provides clear vision making the exterior landscape a part of interiors and allows the continuous flow of spatial quality.