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Architecture

02-04-2026

Photographer : Pratikruti09 - Ar. Pratik Chandresha

Text provided by Architect

The proposed residence sits in a neighbourhood surrounded on all sides by mid-rise residential apartment buildings. With the site entry opening toward the southeast, the design begins by acknowledging its urban context—dense, lived-in, and constantly active. Instead of treating the neighbouring structures as limitations, the design uses them as cues to create an inward-looking home that feels private, calm, and connected from within.

This residence is envisioned for two brothers who wished to live together yet maintain complete independence in their day-to-day lives. The brief was clear and meaningful: one building, two homes, and a seamless balance between privacy and togetherness. The concept, therefore, grew around the idea of “shared belonging”—spaces that offer autonomy to each brother, while also providing opportunities for interaction, celebration, and shared living moments.

To achieve this, both units are planned as self-sufficient homes, complete with independent functional spaces such as living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and utilities. At the same time, the spatial arrangement encourages subtle visual and physical connections: overlooking balconies, jharokha-like projections, and inward-facing circulation paths that allow glimpses into the shared courtyard. These features ensure that the two families feel connected without compromising their individuality.

Surat,Gujarat,India

Architects	:	Aangan Collaborative LLP
Area	:	10355 sq. ft.
Year of Completion	:	2023
Website	:	https://instagram.com/aangan_architects?utm_medium=copy_link

Exterior view of Bilva Residence by Aangan Collaborative LLP

Entrance of Bilva Residence by Aangan Collaborative LLP

Entrance Foyer of Bilva Residence by Aangan Collaborative LLP

Living room of Bilva Residence by Aangan Collaborative LLP

Double-height volumes play a central role in giving the home a sense of openness despite its compact surroundings. These tall spaces bring in generous natural light, create visual drama, and add a feeling of expansiveness to the living areas. The extended living room that opens onto a deck gives the house a spill-out point—a flexible space for informal gatherings, morning tea rituals, or simply a quiet moment outdoors. The deck also acts as a buffer between the interior and the external built context.

Living room of Bilva Residence by Aangan Collaborative LLP

Architecturally, the building envelope is defined by exposed brick, giving the structure a warm, earthy, and timeless character. The brick façade responds especially well to the southern side, providing insulation while visually grounding the building. Arched openings are used as sculptural punctures—softening the geometry, framing courtyard views, and lending the façade a gentle, almost handcrafted quality. These arches help break the monotony and create a rhythm along the exterior.

Corridor of Bilva Residence by Aangan Collaborative LLP

Dining to Kitchen View of Bilva Residence by Aangan Collaborative LLP

Pooja Mandir of Bilva Residence by Aangan Collaborative LLP

Staircase of Bilva Residence by Aangan Collaborative LLP

Skylight of Bilva Residence by Aangan Collaborative LLP

Upper floor corridor of Bilva Residence by Aangan Collaborative LLP

Inside, the material palette is kept elegant and restrained. Italian flooring adds sophistication and reflects light beautifully, enhancing the brightness of the spaces. Exposed RCC ceilings bring a raw, honest aesthetic that complements the brick envelope. The interiors are further enriched with intricately carved natural stone elements, especially along the double-height living space, creating a tactile and visual focal point. These carved details add a sense of craft and cultural rootedness to the otherwise contemporary spatial vocabulary.

Overall, the residence emerges as a thoughtful blend of independence and togetherness, openness and privacy, tradition and modernity. It stands as a home where two families can live their individual stories while staying connected through shared spaces, memories, and everyday interactions.

Upper floor corridor of Bilva Residence by Aangan Collaborative LLP

Bedroom 1 of Bilva Residence by Aangan Collaborative LLP

Bedroom 2 of Bilva Residence by Aangan Collaborative LLP

Balcony of Bilva Residence by Aangan Collaborative LLP

The jharokhas and balcony edges intentionally look into this courtyard, reviving a traditional element but in a modern, understated language. This internalised approach brings warmth, privacy, and a constant sense of connection with nature—something often missing in tight urban plots.