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Architecture

2022

Photographer : Bhagat Odedara, Parth Shukla

The ‘House of peeping creepers’ in Wakaner, Gujarat, strikes contemporary and modern note in a non-descript rural milieu. This house harmoniously integrates with its surroundings, inviting the outdoors into every space for a peaceful and soothing atmosphere. Simple aesthetics and minimal material palette and connection to nature are the main drivers of the design of the peeping house, the architect’s first debut through their firm ‘Studio What If’.

The site was corner plot with 61’ on North direction and 40’ 6” on East direction which surprised the architects to provide maximum opening considering the local climate for natural light and ventilation. The house was supposed to build for a farmer with very little requirements of 3 bedrooms and 2 different scale of family living to enjoy the Northern garden for pleasant light and eastern garden for morning sun rays and one kitchen with utilities. Now being a farmer, the interest of the client was more to perceive natural vegetation from all the openings of different spaces. These insights of clients thus gave a spark to provide maximum vegetation on this open facades planning family gathering with dinning and kitchen space.

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Architects	:	Studio What If
Area	:	2260 sq. ft.
Year	:	2022
Website	:	https://instagram.com/studio.whatif

Exterior view of House of Peeping Creepers by Studio What If

The entry of the house being on the eastern facade leading to a 14’ high volume being used as a main family living space houses large opening towards north garden with play of natural light through skylight. Abundant natural light and ventilation from large north-facing openings ensure a refreshing environment. Additional, adjoining to this volume is a secondary family gathering on eastern facade adorned with vertical fins create captivating plays of light and shadow, adding a touch of artistic elegance.

The constituent space of semi-private zone is arranged in linear organization, with dinning forming the connecting element between the other two public and private zones. These zones are also experienced differently with the volumetric play achieving different nature of spaces with their functional requirements.

Further the upper floor houses single bedroom with corner window opening towards its attached terrace on north side making it pleasant to use throughout the day. This orientation of solid walls on western and southern facades and larger openings on northern facades keeps the house’s indoor temperature cool and free from artificial air conditioning, thereby achieving maximum sustainability parameters in spatial organization.

Exterior view of House of Peeping Creepers by Studio What If

Living of House of Peeping Creepers by Studio What If

The section of the house is also a delightful surprise, with its playful volumes that make every step distinct and adventurous. Skylights and opening are strategically placed, allowing natural light and refreshing breezes to effortlessly flow through, creating a bright and airy oasis.

Aligned to the client’s brief, the color scheme is neutral and the material palette, minimal. The exterior plaster being unique was crafted manually with cement with hands on experiment by skilled labor and architect giving it distinct visual appearance and internal sun shading keeping the walls cool.

Given its location, the house became an extrovert one putting its distinct impact of its mass and architectural language in its context. The connection to outside became seamless, which means the privacy had to be carefully resolved. Given these daylighting strategies, the dependence on artificial light is minimal, and mainly achieved through exposed and recessed lights.

Crafting this house, living harmoniously with the nature isn’t a concept; it’s a way of life. It’s a place where the interplay of light, air, and form elevates daily living into a truly extraordinary experience.