A Volumetric Play

4th Axis Design Studio play with volumes to create an impression of scale in this private residence standing on a narrow plot in Nanded. 

Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: Hemant Patil, courtesy 4th Axis Design Studio

Architects Amit Kasliwal and Sagar Mundada

The site

This home, named Chirantan, anchors itself on a narrow  2,000-sq-ft plot. The 25’ x 80’ site faces a lush green field, has open space to the rear and a shared wall on one side.

The brief

The client required a well-ventilated house suited to a modern lifestyle. As the family was small (four members), a feeling of connectedness was paramount. “The views were also important as they had selected the plot precisely for its views of the field located to the front side of the site,” disclose Amit Kasliwal and Sagar Mundada, 4th Axis Design Studio’s principal architects.

The design response

Given the narrowness of the site and ventilation being possible only from the front and back, the architects introduced an open-to-sky courtyard at the heart of the house to facilitate natural light penetration and air play. To capitalise on the green views to the front, the balcony and the terrace were naturally positioned on that side.

The living room is furnished with lavish sofas and loungers arranged in a cluster. Glossy, wooden centre tables in three distinct sizes add to practical elegance. A metal and glass partition notionally segregates this area from the adjacent informal lounge.

The spatial flow

The exaggerated linearity gave rise to a sequential orchestration of spaces. On the ground floor, the entry court is followed by the living room, a triple-height courtyard, the dining room and the kitchen. All these functionalities can be seen at once, and form a part of a singular volume. This programming creates an impression of scale — which was needed to ‘erase’ the compactness of the footprint. Crowned by a latticed metal screen, the triple-height courtyard amplifies the feeling of grandness and plays host to the dramatic light-and-shadow play enacted through the day. As the courtyard is dually used as a puja space, a waterbody and plants establish a feeling of serenity. A sculptural staircase connects to the private spaces on the upper two stories: three bedrooms on the first level and recreational spaces on the last. “We introduced bridges on the upper floor to connect the spaces separated by the triple-height court,” the duo tells us. “The central court, the sculpted staircase and the connecting bridges, according to us, are the highlights of this house.”

The staircase forms a sculptural element in the corner. A small planter bed below it optimises space-utilisation as well as adds a refreshing touch to the courtyard as well as the adjacent living area.

The material and colour palettes

The material and chromatic narratives of this house are constructed on restrained, well-selected elements. The visual expression embraces a fusion of aqua colour and natural light with grey marble and rustic tiles. This combination is supported by glass, warm timbre and black powder-coated stainless steel.

The screen that crowns the courtyard creates striking chiaroscuro.

The challenges

The main areas of resolution were two: to make natural light travel throughout the house and bring a feeling of spaciousness to this narrow plot. Minimizing internal walls and putting in a courtyard were direct responses to these issues. “The treatment of the courtyard — though not a challenge — is another area on which we spent considerable time. The staircase, bridges, plantation and material application played an important role here,” reveal the young architects.

Fact file

Project: Chirantan
Location: Nanded
Area: 4,080 sq ft
Principal architects: Amit Kasliwal and Sagar Mundada
Design team: Shriya Sonawane, Zeeshan Khan, Prashant Rapanwad and Sunil Waghmare