An old Jabalpur structure gets rejuvenated into welcoming home

Space Goals Design Studio creates a spacious home while honouring the client’s cultural heritage.

Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: MK Gandhi Studio

The brief

Space Goals Design Studio’s client desired to transition from a cramped city dwelling to a more spacious environment while still maintaining a connection to their roots. For the design studio, this led to the realisation that the existing structure lacked the cosy atmosphere they sought, prompting the need for a transformation.

The response

To tackle this challenge, the team proposed a solution involving the removal of certain walls and the creation of larger openings to allow natural light and warmth to flow into the space. “By making these structural adjustments, we were able to present the client with a detailed plan that would facilitate the desired paradigm shift they were aiming for,” says Siddharth Gokhale, who helms Space Goals Design Studio along with fellow architects Gaurav Shankaran and Priyansh Seth.

The material and colour palettes

An earthy colour palette and usage of brick as the primary material along with lime plaster-finished walls, enabled the creation of a cohesive design language throughout the project. Given that the facade faced south, the architects strategically designed a brick jaali wall to filter harsh sunlight and allow for a cool breeze to flow through the space.

The challenges

“The main challenge we encountered was in opening up the walls due to the age of the existing structure and lack of support,” says the architect. “To overcome this, we introduced new columns and extended slabs with precision, enabling us to transform small rooms into a large bedroom with walk-in closets. This structural enhancement was crucial in achieving the desired spaciousness.”

Ultimately, the family’s journey towards a new way of living was greatly facilitated by a thoughtful design approach. “Through this process,” says Siddharth, “we successfully struck a harmonious balance between embracing change and preserving the essence of their roots.”

Fact file

Project: The Paradigm Shift
Location: Jabalpur
Area: 2450 sq ft
Principal architect: Siddharth Gokhale, Gaurav Shankaran and Priyansh Seth
Design team: Ar. Pratiksha Shankaran and Ar. Faraz Khan