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Architecture

2024

Photographer : Bharat Aggarwal

The project was a 500 sq. yd. west-facing residence located on one of the busy roads of South Delhi. It was a family home separated by floors owned by siblings.

The client's brief envisioned expansive balconies on each floor, a nod to open-air sanctuaries overlooking the bustling cityscape. The design concept was to create façade and interiors having neo-classical features as the clients were looking for intricate detailing in all the elements.

Since the plot was facing towards West, the openings were provided at certain expanses, not covering the whole façade. The design concept revolves around the neo-classical order, hence elements like cornices, brackets and Doric pilasters have been provided which define the scale of each wall. The center part of the front façade wall has been treated with intricate mouldings. The top floor roof overhangs have bracket details which make the whole facade top heavy. The palette chosen was shades of white and fawn contributing to minimal yet elegant look, enhancing each element used on façade.

The typical floor was planned with a large living and dining in the front which opens to wide views and ample amount of filtered light. The kitchen, stairwell and 2 bedrooms are placed at the middle and 2 bedrooms at rear end which are all connected to the living by a corridor acting as a central spine.

New Delhi,Delhi,India

Architects	:	Ajay Nirmal Architects
Area	:	20,000 sq. ft.
Year	:	2024
Website	:	https://www.instagram.com/ajaynirmal_architects/

Living room of Kaira by Ajay Nirmal Architects

Dining of Kaira by Ajay Nirmal Architects

As one enters the foyer, they are greeted with a custom wall-art which is inspired from Lippan work of Gujarat. Towards the right of the foyer, there is living and dining area. One is welcomed by the tree of life carved on an exquisite Swiss white marble in the front with two intricate solid teak wooden chairs. The clients owned antique wooden furniture passed on through three generations that they wanted to retain, hence the designing of the interiors had to be planned not only to accommodate them, but also to enhance them. The walls are mostly kept white and others treated with light pastel shades to compliment the dark wooden furniture.

Hence, the living area was designed comprising of classical elements and delicate mouldings, with white paint on the walls. And a niche enhanced by classical pilasters and moulding around it was created on the sofa back wall for a deity to be placed. Skilled craftsmen from Rajasthan were commissioned for the laying of flooring which was a combination of Swiss white Marble with an inlay work of brass and colorful semi-precious stones.

Dining of Kaira by Ajay Nirmal Architects

Kitchen of Kaira by Ajay Nirmal Architects

The corridor leading to the bedrooms consists of various design elements, including light fawn walls with plastered and wooden mouldings complementing its beige and white marble flooring. It is further adorned with artwork and family photographs along its length to break monotony. The corridor also has an intermediate open to sky shaft which is designed to bring in light and ventilation. The walls of the shaft were adorned with rubble masonry and classical mouldings around windows and the flooring was wooden looking tiles, introduced to break away from the marble flooring.

The kitchen was designed to be functional, have free circulation area for movement and bring in ample amount of natural light. Hence, shades of white were chosen making it look more spacious.

Court of Kaira by Ajay Nirmal Architects

Corridor of Kaira by Ajay Nirmal Architects

Staircase of Kaira by Ajay Nirmal Architects

Bedroom of Kaira by Ajay Nirmal Architects

The bedrooms carried through the same concept of having elegant mouldings and off-white walls but each room had its own customized flooring inlay work with beige and white marble. The intricately designed solid wooden furniture including beds, TV cabinets and study then played a major role in enhancing the warmth of the space.

Bedroom 2 of Kaira by Ajay Nirmal Architects

Toilet of Kaira by Ajay Nirmal Architects

The washrooms were meticulously designed to align with the theme of entire house, with a mix of textured and décor tiles to add depth to the wall and create an interesting visual aesthetic.

The rear service balcony hosts a puja room, an outdoor seating and the laundry area. The Pooja room comprises the vernacular building technique of Kath - Kuni used in the hilly northern parts of India as the clients natively belonged to the region. Indigenous materials such as overlapped slate was used for the roof and alternating courses of wood and rubble clad was done on the structure.

Toilet of Kaira by Ajay Nirmal Architects

Dusk light exterior view of Kaira by Ajay Nirmal Architects

The residence was an attempt to create seamless transition between spaces, combined with generous allowance of natural light, adorned with neo classical elements and a neutral color palette, giving an overall feel of tranquility.