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Architecture

08-04-2026

Text provided by Architect

Rooted in the vernacular spirit of Ahmednagar's old town, this residence reinterprets the timeless Indian model of "Upar Makaan, Neeche Dukaan" (Residence above, Shop below).

The residence sits on a compact 975 sq.ft plot (measuring approximately 23' x 43'), constrained by neighboring buildings on three sides and facing the road on the East. The tight brief required accommodating a commercial shop, a godown, and a three-bedroom-hall-kitchen configuration on this small footprint. The core challenge was balancing these dense spatial requirements with a quality of openness rarely found in such compact urban homes.

Integrating the planning principles of Ahilyanagar’s historic old town—which featured residences with wadas (courtyards) and open spaces designed along proper grids—the project aims to design along rigorous East-West and North-South axes to maximize light and cross-ventilation.

Ahilyanagar,Maharashtra,India

Architects	:	Meldspace
Area	:	2400 sq. ft.
Year of Completion	:	2024
Website	:	https://www.instagram.com/meldspace.in/

Exterior view of The Gully House by Meldspace

Living room of The Gully House by Meldspace

Dining of The Gully House by Meldspace

Courtyard to Dining view of The Gully House by Meldspace

Courtyard of The Gully House by Meldspace

The primary objective of the design is to adapt to the hot and dry climate. Despite the spatial constraints, the bungalow is designed to feel open and airy with significantly fewer internal walls.

The defining design element is the central court, which serves as a crucial Vertical Connector and thermal chimney. All floors open onto this court, connecting the separated work (shop/godown) and live (residential) spaces through a central bridging volume.

Kitchen of The Gully House by Meldspace

Staircase of The Gully House by Meldspace

The Vertical Lung of The Gully House by Meldspace

Skylight of The Gully House by Meldspace

The Breathing Connector and a Porous Node in a Dense Grid of The Gully House by Meldspace

Designed along rigorous East-West and North-South axes to capture maximum light and ventilation in a hot and dry climate. A central courtyard acts as a thermal chimney and a spatial bridge, ensuring all floors remain open and airy with minimal internal wall partitions.

Built using local Red baked bricks, the house intentionally mirrors the city’s historic fabric while offering a contemporary living experience.

The project moves beyond bricks and cement to prioritize local neighborhood bonding. Living in a crowded city does not necessitate shutting our doors; instead, we must bring generosity in design to help the building breathe and communicate between people, nature, and society.

The house, on a concluding note, is not made of bricks and cement, but instead of experiences—the way spaces are to be used, local activities, and neighborhood bonding. Living in a crowded city doesn’t mean that we have to shut our doors and disconnect from the outsides, instead we need to flexibly bring generosity in design and help the building breathe and communicate between people, nature, and society.