Curved connect from Home Trends volume 0206

Creating a house where the environment lays the rules, can be a boon since the design is worked out in sync with it. However, it also poses restrictions for the architect, to integrate the design elements that not only suit the clients requirements but also those of the environment.
This Pune house has been designed for a nuclear family by Tao Architects and is spread over 16,000 sq ft., with a built-up area of 8,000 sq ft. The owners' during their brief to the architect asked for a house that would be in harmony with the surrounding nature. Therefore, the home has been laid out, complementing the basic roles of the sun, wind and sound.
"The orientation of this house has been dictated by its external environment. This led to the decision of giving the house an east-west opening, and to draw the glare-free light from the north into the house by strategically placed punctures in the curved roof," explains architect Manish Banker.
The south side of the plot has a busy road, which resulted in the placement of all utility and service areas on this side. Similarly, the existence of an old banyan tree on the east end, resulted in linking the open areas of the house in the same direction.
The curved roof was designed to incorporate the height, which holds the additional floor and adds grandeur to the space. This design also helps expel the hot air through the space pockets located at the higher level.
The landscaping of the house is done in sync with the existing banyan tree located on the east side of the plot.
The architect and his team worked around the landscape in such a way, so as to make this tree the main feature of the landscaped area.
Thus, the house is strategically divided into three areas. The central space also the circulation area of the house draws in the natural light through the cut out in the curved roof.
The east side serves as the more open and entertainment area and the west side tucks in the private zones, such as the bedrooms and bathrooms
The entrance area is through the central part of the house, which opens up to a circulation area. This space has been demarcated with stone flooring, and establishes a visual connection with the entire residence.
"The idea was to create an indoor garden, which we achieved by introducing a water body along with planters. Natural light floods this area through the cut-out in the roof," says Banker.
The staircase from here leads to the first floor. The curvilinear staircase landing also works as a water point from its mid-level landing, making it a functional as well as an aesthetic element of the house. The large size chandelier, hung from the ceiling towards the water body, serves as a focal point of this area.
In the absence of natural light in the area, this chandelier helps enhance the drama, when lit during the evenings.
The ground floor of the house consists of a living room, a dining space, kitchen, utility areas, family room and the master bedroom.
The living room and dining area have been treated with neutral colour tones. Dashes of colours have been added through the use of large carpets, artefacts and custom-made chandeliers. Traventino and Ibree marble has been used for as the flooring option.
"The glass chandelier in the living room is customised and cleverly subjugates the air-conditioning unit that lies above it, thus retaining the unit in the centre of the room and camouflaging it," explains Banker.
The large painting in the living room with foliage imprints further emphasises the impact of nature in this house. Its height reinforces the feeling of spacious grandeur to the space.
The dining area opens out into the verandah on the east end of the house.
"The strategic location of the verandah makes it one of the most used and enjoyed areas of the house," says Banker.
The first floor of the house consists of two bedrooms with attached lounges.
The wall of the lounges have a circular cut-out that helps maintain a visual link to the ground floor as well as draw in the light.
The daughter's bedroom on this floor exudes a harmonious feel. Elements like a four-poster bed, wooden flooring and blinds along the bathroom glaswall have been incorporated.
The painted wardrobe with bamboo shoots also bring in a serene ambience to the bedroom space.
The bathroom designs are lavish, especially in terms of size allocation. The walk-in wardrobes and dressing room are attached to the bathrooms.
According to the architect, one of the challenges was to curtail the noise emanating from the south side of the house, which is adjoined to a busy streets.
Layers of sound-proof glasses, padded more with plants, followed with louvers and then windows proved to be the solution.
Architect Manish Banker of Tao Architects created this 8,000 sq ft house that stands out for its curved roof.
Credit List
Architect/designers : Manish Banker, Tejas Mehta, Deepak Gajjar; Tao Architects
Landscape architect : Shobha Bhopatkar
Cladding : Nitco
Roof : RCC
Window/door : Aluteck
Furniture : Stanley, Mirotti
Furnishings : Tulip, Pune
Tiling : Botochino, travertino
Wall coverings : Acrylic imulsion paints, Ibree, Onix, Oikos
Lighting : Artelite, Fiam, Havells
Treatment : Oikos
Cabinets : Ply, laminates, veneer
Benchtops : Labrador granite
Splashback : Tile
Light installation : Reshmi Dey
Painter : Ashok Rokhde
Carpenter : Bhagwan Mistry
Bath : Villeroy & Boch
Basin : Villeroy & Boch
Taps : Fantiny, Hansgrohe
Hot water systems : Solar Binny
Flooring : Ibree, Onix, Rajesh Chotalia
Toilet : Villeroy & Boch, Vitra
Ventilation : Cata
Mirrors : Saint Gobain
Outdoor lighting : Fiam
Art installation : Vartan Art