Nestled amongst the agricultural farm land, stands a focusing 4500 square feet holiday house which complements and resonates with its surroundings. The layout of the house was re-configured from a traditional inward looking plan to a modern outward planning. The house was stripped down to its bare structure in order to incorporate an open layout and maintain the linearity of the space. The thought behind conceptualization of the house was the client’s love for hosting with family and friends. Therefore, the architecture of this house is both modern and timeless.
The use of tall hedges along with the palm trees at the entrance creates a varied visual experience merging the house with its immediate surroundings rather than it being the dominant characteristic overpowering the same. The passage to the entrance door is highlighted with concrete slabs alternating with pebbles. Both sides of the passage are flanked with lush green plants. The landscape breathes life into this home, apart from playing a passive role in adjusting the microclimate.
The design of the door is traditional yet timeless, thus complementing it’s the design of the house. The hanging beam structure at the entrance allows one to take a pause, have a look at the sky and become aware of the natural beauty around. The rustic texture on the walls and it’s grey tone acts as a perfect backdrop for the plants and natural wood.
The linear foyer is connected to the outdoor space, creating a more expansive and inviting atmosphere. It acts as a transition point between the living room and the bedroom. The center of the foyer is elevated by introduction of the piano in a natural wood look. The landscape behind is the perfect setting for its placement. The color contrast in the indoor-outdoor flooring accentuates the view of the surroundings.
The spacious living room has an extended sit-out area and an island kitchen with a separate service kitchen. The furniture arrangement of the living space accommodates an L-shaped sofa which serves as an informal interactive space bringing the warmth required for a farmhouse rather than a very formal arrangement. Understanding the importance of this relationship, the furniture layout in common spaces was planned to accommodate larger groups and cater to individual/smaller groups by visually connecting them to the exterior green farmland.
The island kitchen is used for special occasions and entertaining when the family gets together during the holidays. The service kitchen is tucked at the back for the main preparation and wet cooking.
The other end of the house features a smaller lounge cum bedroom with an outdoor sitting area and a restroom. The sitting arrangement in this area is kept informal and cozy.
The outdoor-indoor play in this restroom is the key highlight of the area. This allows that the clients to be constantly connected to the external surroundings, be it the morning sunshine or the smell of the monsoon rains. The tile used from Simpolo gave a seamless and unique texture to the space that blends with its outdoors. The use of teakwood adds to the natural beauty of the space. The courtyard is open to sky while metal grills ensure privacy in this area. It is flanked with tall plants, concrete, and a neutral color palette.
This house is designed as a linear structure, with ample indoor-outdoor connectivity and respecting the natural surroundings. The open green area at the back also acts as an extension to the house in case of larger family gatherings. The expansive south windows in the living, foyer and the bedroom diminish the boundaries between the house and the farm.