Play of Space

By Savitha Hira

“As an architect you’re not sculptingbuilding materials, your primary medium is space itself,” says Kolhapur-basedAr. Sunil Patil as he infuses a ground plus 2 structure with the ethos ofIndian traditional sensibilities cocooned in a contemporary wrap.

“A house issuccessful when its design caters to the tastes of its users whileincorporating the features and ideas that the architect visualises,” continues Sunil.

Hestrongly believes that spaces should be interactive; they then integrate a bondthat is the nucleus of any home. While designing this home for reputed criminallawyer Harshad Nimbalkar in Pune, the client brief ‘more in less’ was succinct.And since the area of the plot was relatively small at approx. 3600 sq. ft.,while the requirements were significant (the home had to accommodate thesensibilities and preferences of three generations), Sunil concentrated on chiselingthe architectural vocabulary – the space – that in his words, “really drivesthe experience of a built form”.

Thechallenge of creating bungalow experience in a vertical fit-out of ground plustwo, accommodating four bedrooms, formal and informal living, hometheatre and gym spaces; and terraces to enjoy the outdoors, was accomplished bysculpting the spaces into an inviting mass of interesting compositional solidsand voids. Designed in asimple way with straight lines, the built form typifies a climate-responsiveform of contemporary tropical architecture. Massing ensures minimum openingstowards south and west to avoid harsh sunlight and radiation. Since hugewalkouts or gardens were not possible, terraces with steel and glass pergolasact as buffer zones between interiors and exteriors, at various levels facingnorth and east, where one can enjoy leisure time or entertain. Setbacksare put to optimum use with a gazebo adjoining the dining area and lush greenlawns that blend with trees along the compound wall. Similarly,opening up the balconies with glass railings and following a consistenthorizontal pattern in the skin, has resulted in a simple yet arresting presencethat naturally draws attention to the building.

The interior complements the built form with a minimalmaterial and colour palette. A sense of rhythm is inculcated in the straightlines with ribbon-like compositional patterns weaved into the furniture, thatenhance the ambience as well as conserve space. The resultant home is simple,functional and aesthetically resplendent, appearing considerably spacious despiteits small footprint.