Le Blanc Maison, created by Studiio Dangg and Atelier Dsync, celebrates its architecture, which in the absence of decadent or artful motifs throughout the house, becomes an art to be experienced.
Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Suryan//Dang; courtesy Studiio Dangg
The brief
Le Blanc Maison, designed in collaboration by two studios, Studiio Dangg and Atelier Dsync, is referred to as “an effortless abode” by its creators. Home to a quintessential modern Indian family based in Gurugram, the house sits on a plot of 10,000 sq ft. The client’s brief required the architects to create interconnected spaces with panoramic openings in the house. They wanted the house to be a true depiction of minimal intervention such that it looked like a mass dropped amid lush landscape.
The design intent
The architecture of this residential unit — in the absence of decadent or artful motifs throughout the house — becomes an art to be experienced. “Le Blanc Maison is a standing testament to the significance of simplicity…,” the creators say. With whimsical volumes and large openings, the house forms a pristine canvas for the play of light and shadow which immerses the entire house. The intentionally minimal nature of the intervention in the interior spaces makes way for the architecture to percolate within, encouraging an incessant dialogue between the two. The materiality of the house ensures that the whole house is perceived as one atmosphere planted within the landscape; like a glorious art piece sitting on a pedestal in a gallery.
For a house such as Le Blanc Maison, the architecture and interiors conform immaculately, so much so that they appear the same. Much of this amalgamation is a direct result of the continuity of materials flowing outside-in, and it is this simplicity that augments the expanse of the house ten-fold. The bold linearity of the structure effortlessly flows into the language of the interior, such that even the furniture is heavily inspired by strong modern elements. The quiet introduction of colour solely through accents allows one to borrow on the experience of a complementary relationship between the white of the house, the greens of the lawns, and the impalpable trimmings added to the house over time.
The spatial configuration
The house is set back from the entrance and is generously lined with dense foliage that provides the much needed privacy, yet allows an onlooker a few glimpses of the Le Blanc Maison. Upon entering, one is greeted by an expansive lawn which allows the users to converse with the outdoors. The lawn places large steps made out of singular stone slabs that lead to the entrance door.
Upon entering the lobby, one is immediately comes face to face with a multitude of spaces, all simultaneously holding a dialogue with one another. The formal living area is visible from every part of the house and overlooks a lush lawn that metaphorically pulls one out of metropolitan Gurugram. The dining and the family lounge (set close to the living) share a small courtyard, and a view of the pool. The perpetual sound of the waterfall by the pool dulls the neighbouring sounds, and is the poetic white noise from which the otherwise by-standing pool borrows its essence from.
A single staircase in the middle of the house physically bifurcates the public functions of the house from the private ones. The visual porosity of the staircase further enhances the volumetric expanse of the house, and acts as a playful respite, magnifying a tangible connection with every part of the house. The first floor lobby accommodates the three private rooms belonging to each member of the family. One is surprised with the sprawling terrace garden towards the front of the house which inadvertently is a continuation of the landscape from the floor below. Running along the staircase is the grandmother’s room that takes advantage of the views of a more private backyard, while providing her with the serene space she needs. Adjacent to it is the son’s bedroom that enjoys both a private balcony, and a terrace garden.
The other end of the lobby houses the master bedroom. Akin to a breath of fresh air, the room opens up into a double height lounge seating overlooking the terrace garden, and the pool at the same time. The double height volume further overlooks, and is boastful of the imagery that shows the play of scooped volumes in the facade of the house. The lounge seating flows into the bedroom with a private balcony, and the en suite which enjoys a view of clear blue skies, and the sound of the waterfall from below… perfectly merging the experience of being immersed in nature.
Fact file
Project: La Blanc Maison
Client: Raghav Madan
Location: Gurugram
Area: 10,000 sq ft
Principal architects: Manav Dang (Studiio Dangg), and Shivarao Channapattan and Karishma Desai (Atelier Dsync)
Contractor: Manoj Dang
Add a Comment