The Mango House by Studio PKA

At two storeys high, the house allows the branches of the trees to spill over onto the deck, overlooking the pool. Multiple large glass fenestrations line the exposed brick walls, casting reflections of the world outside - flooding the interiors with daylight and shadow trails, allowing the experience to percolate within. The windows along with the four expansive entrances along the north-south and east-west axes further blur the lines between the inside and the outside.

The design responds to its surroundings and makes a conscious effort to reconnect with the natural environment. The raindrops trailing down windows, the dappled reflections of sunlight bouncing off panes, and the gentle breeze running through the spaces – all pleasantly add to the experience and quality of the space.

The unwavering desire to allow the house to blend in and become one with the land is accentuated by the earthy tones of exposed brick and concrete that complement the verdant landscape around it. An experience that is carried forward into the abode.

The journey through the different spaces are marked by a defined sense of transition between them - It could be as subtle as the sound of footsteps, on the gravel, following the user till the threshold, or even the change in warm hues of the exposed bricks, in the communal spaces, to white plastered brickwork, in the private spaces. Brick, Concrete, Metal, Stone, Terracotta, and Wood - A medley of natural materials come together to form a whole. The use of stark, raw, and earthy materials entices the user and beckons them to engage with the house – through the myriad sights, sounds, and textures that coalesce to form memories. A feeling of home.

While inside, eyes are drawn to a suspended steel staircase that seems like a conversation between the two levels of the house. Double height spaces not only act as interesting vantage points but also ensure ventilation across the axes. The semi-private and private spaces rise up to the second level and are reserved for the family of four. Spaces that remain interwoven with the lower level yet become characteristic to each of the resident’s individual sensibilities and passions.

The design and articulation of spaces take into account the privacy of the inhabitants. The Lower Level acts as an intimate yet informal zone where one could wander finding places for casual conversations or find their own little corner to lean back - against the embrace of the cold brick wall and sit reading a book. A strong connection of the dining with the kitchen and it is visual connect with the pool deck gives rise to a dynamism that allows each space to spill out into the other - unhindered and welcoming. Every space becomes a stage for new memories to play out. Where every space relates to the next.

Alluding to the vernacular, a rich sense of culture and tradition is ever-present - The Mango House helps the city-dwelling family to connect with nature by being organic in both spirit and content. Space where Design meets Life - bridging the growing gap between us and the natural environment - not interfering with the course of nature, but rather inviting it in as an extension to the house. The design speaks of modest desires and smart aesthetic appeal, all the while serving as a place to call 'home'.