Isvara which means “house of light”, is a residential project of 2458sqft built up area on 1277sqft plot in Dahod, Gujarat. This three-bedroom house is purposefully built to be modest, spacious, and earthy in its materiality, making it a place to unwind and recharge.
The spaces and their highlighted components mirror the users' everyday habits. The architectural planning and specifics of this little space, measuring 29'-6" X 43’0” size steadily evolved across several layers of conversations and discussions, which allowed us to create the house's overall experience. The family members' inclination for open floor plans and the dance of light and shadow throughout the day in the various areas of the home led directly to one of the impressions that became central to the design ideology for this space. This gave the house a naturally lit appearance.
As we attempted to formulate the notions for the house, we decided to go with a linear approach and to let in a lot of light. We started by scoping large openings on the west side (the main façade) as well as a tiny buffer space in the semi-private area as an open yard of 14'6"X5'0," forming its own delightful macro environment for the space. One thing was certain while planning it: we wanted more architectural inlays and didn't want any flimsy ornamentation or artefacts to draw attention to the spaces.
In line with the original concept of the "house of light," we created an integrated terracotta breeze block façade by leaving a 2-foot-wide space on the west face of the building for lighting and ventilation while taking into account the limited urban plot. Additionally, the façade provides a dynamic interplay of shadows throughout the day.
Without overdoing the artificial beautification, we aimed to portray the relationship between nostalgia and a sense of belonging in the small touches of our design. The living room's many components, including the furniture and natural colour palettes, establish a visual language that gives the home a free-spirited feel. Furthermore, the living room is physically connected to the kitchen, dining area, and a huge doorway leading to the landscape garden on the west side of the property. Because the floor plan is open with no partitions between the spaces, the entire area has the feeling of being one large room. The openness of the architecture contributes to creating a sense of inclusivity across the whole house. The design is more fascinating and engaging since it uses fewer textures and materials.
The vertical connector inserts of denying the space was another element we considered emphasizing when designing. The area is given extra depth and vibrancy by a lightweight wooden staircase with a glass railing and a wall behind it that has been painted a shade of yellow. The sunrays observed at the site served as inspiration. The staircase's cut-out features a lovely jali with vivid bird representations that fill the space with the illusion of birds flying at various times and angles throughout the year.
A crucial component of the room's design was the flexibility of natural light and ventilation. It adhered to the minimalist and natural concepts. There are two openings in the room, one on the west façade with a terracotta breeze block and a 2-foot-wide buffer space that serves as a breather for the room with a variety of plants. The earthenware jali creates a gorgeous shadow play in the space and serves as a highlighting feature.
The client desired an additional room on the ground floor. Keeping with the natural and clean design of the overall space, earthy shades like beige and white were chosen as the complementary colors to make the room seem bright and airy. The room's south façade has two openings that allow for a subtle movement of light and shade throughout the day.
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