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Architecture

2019

Located in a dense residential neighborhood of Gadag district center, this detached corner brick house sits on a rectangular plot of 50x40 feet and is flanked by roads on east & north. In spite of a small plot size, these converging roads expose the building to an open foreground and allow ample natural light onto the building. To capitalize on this openness, large openings were planned for the east façade. Owner, a retired couple’s only suggestions were to restrict to a set budget and to maximize plot boundaries.

The house stands out from its surrounding due to contrasting hue and form. Though the building is perceived as a solid form from outside, once entered, the space inside contradicts one’s perception and realizes that the outer form is just a ‘shell’ that encompasses a large volume within. The building is perceived more voluminous in comparison to its foot print.

Design of the house was weaved out of two aspects; one is ‘spatial volume’ and other, the choice of building ‘material’.

‘Volume’ being the central axis, is curated by a large ‘triple height void’ that connects all the levels of this dwelling. Sleeping spaces are the only enclosed rooms while the rest are fluid spaces that get diluted within this void at various levels. The void is further sub divided by the bridges that spans the two upper floors and converts the volume into transparent visually connected spaces nested in a concrete shell. A residual garden court at the side anchors the dining space and form the base of this high ‘volume’. The dining space acts as the vantage point at any level of this house.

[{"value":"Gadag"},{"value":"Karnataka"},{"value":"India"}]

Architects	:	Jacob + Rathodi Architects
Area	:	3100 sq.ft.
Year	:	2019
Website	:	https://www.instagram.com/jacobplusrathodiarchitects/

East side view of Corner Brick House by Jacob + Rathodi Architects

South East view of Corner Brick House by Jacob + Rathodi Architects

Bird's eye view of central triple height void from terrace bridge of Corner Brick House by Jacob + Rathodi Architects

Dining located under a triple height void of Corner Brick House by Jacob + Rathodi Architects

Dining to garden view of Corner Brick House by Jacob + Rathodi Architects

The other design consideration was the conscious choice of materials; ‘exposed brick’ and ‘mild steel’ members. The color palettes for this house were primarily picked up from the natural hues of the materials that were being used such as, bricks, steel, wood and granite. The interior and exterior of this house is dressed in exposed bricks of various patterns to create a natural texture and color.

Kitchen to dining of Corner Brick House by Jacob + Rathodi Architects

Staircase feature wall backdrops the living room of Corner Brick House by Jacob + Rathodi Architects

Staircase triple height void dressed in glass blocksy on wall & roof of Corner Brick House by Jacob + Rathodi Architects

Staircase-a visually connected space within the staircase void of Corner Brick House by Jacob + Rathodi Architects

A steel plate trellis that mushrooms from ground level envelops the double height garden court and shoot up to the skylight in roof. This trellis, which was designed as a ‘security’ feature in turn act as an architectural element, allows the garden to be a part of interiors whilst keeping the security concerns at bay. Screen wall at the staircase is composed of bricks in a framework of mild steel I-sections, forms the main feature in this triple height void. Steel is further used for railings, car porch roof trellis, for framing window, roof edging and in interior built-in cabinetries too in a minimal way. These two materials were exposed in its true form to create an intentional character to this building in an entirety.

Skylight, large windows and wall openings using glass blocks, animate the natural light deep in to interior spaces and meld this dwelling into a burst of light, shadow and everything bright!