In a vibrant Deccan Indian town - Betul in Madhya Pradesh, a 17.6 mtrs. x 55 mtrs. plot in the central plaza, flanked by neighboring residences and stretching from the main road to hein road, serves as the canvas for an architectural masterpiece designed by principal architect Neelesh Chopda of Neelesh Chopda Architecture, Pune, India. The client - a prominent industrialist and third-generation social servant, the project prioritizes a communal gathering space, reflecting the client’s deep ties to the town’s social fabric. The design weaves the family’s aspirations into a structure that not only transforms their lives but also elevates the town’s cultural and aesthetic landscape, potentially fostering local tourism.
Spanning a total built-up area of 3,000 sq. mtrs. , the architectural layout thoughtfully balances functionality with elegance. The ground floor features a seamless flow of gathering spaces and office areas, complemented by a beautifully designed driveway that leads to a welcoming residential lobby. Behind this central hub lies a dedicated area for a cowshed and doghouse, all while accommodating ample parking facilities. The mezzanine level is efficiently utilized for office and conference spaces, fostering productivity and collaboration. On the first floor, a striking triple-height gathering space defines the design, while the remaining areas are devoted to essential services and well-appointed guest rooms, enhancing the residential experience.
The design approach was made such that the second floor becomes the prime residential floor, now this floor is at height of 12 mtr approx which makes it sit over the town skyline creating a beautiful large slab acting like a huge garden with sunken areas to plant huge trees and plants.
The third floor is purely bedroom spaces and the terrace level where beautiful outhouse effect has been created with spa, snooker table, a gym overlooking the terrace garden filled up with trees and plants attracting lots of birds in center of the town.
From the parking area, a lift ascends to the second-floor garden, where living, dining, and family rooms open onto verdant views, dissolving the sense of elevation. A central hallway connects to bedrooms, with guest rooms and services one level below and additional family bedrooms above, forming the core residential triad. The terrace offers a secluded retreat for entertaining, insulated from the town’s bustle.
Given its prominent location in the town square, the building’s facade was conceived as a public statement. This frontage—rooted in narrative and symbolism—reflects the stature of its patrons and the cultural responsibility they bear.
This also helps converting the town’s visual scale and further creating probably a small amount of local tourism attraction to appreciate and learn from it, giving a beautiful experience to the by passers there. Hence we looked into it and designed facade to narrate these everyday aspects.
Two monumental archways define its form: a grand, open arch leading to the gathering hall, and a slightly recessed, shadowed arch hinting at the more private residential entry.
Clad in locally sourced stone, the facade projects outward in volumetric slabs. Its dual-tone palette—shifting from grey to pink as one moves past—creates a kinetic, illusionistic effect, animating the building as an ever-changing object in the urban landscape. Up to a height of 12 meters, the facade remains solid and monolithic. Above, translucent marble panels filter sunlight, bathing interiors in a soft, ethereal glow that transforms with the passing hours. This creates a charismatic effect of the changing colour in the skyline of the square creating a social impact on the society, creating awareness towards not just material but a functional aesthetic structure bringing a change in their thinking.
Meticulously researched, the facade system prioritizes performance alongside beauty. Early explorations into glass and metal were set aside for marble—a non-porous, sound-insulating, dust-resistant material that diffuses the harsh east-facing light. The bungalow stand tall crossing the skyline of the town, sunlight piercing the bungalow and hence to control the light penetrating inside the marble was choosen. The marble’s natural translucence captures and refracts light, revealing the crystalline textures within and creating a poetic interplay between exterior and interior. Designed as a “floating skin,” the marble facade sits 10 feet away from the structural slab, allowing west light to seep through in the afternoon, resulting in a dynamic and multidimensional elevation.
Most of the surrounding town rises no higher than 10–11 meters. By contrast, this project soars above, asserting its presence while creating a sanctuary away from the noise, pollution, and spatial constraints of the street. Flanked by party walls on both sides, the building negotiates tight urban conditions with a bold vertical strategy. Since the ground-level footprint couldn’t accommodate expansive gardens, the design flips the paradigm—elevating the green space to the second floor and using height as a tool to mitigate pollution and noise. With its northern facade strategically opened for breeze and cross-ventilation, the residence breathes like a bungalow in the sky—restorative and expansive, despite its dense urban context.
More than a residence, this project is an embodiment of personal legacy, architectural ambition, and social engagement. It transforms a humble plot into a landmark, redefines vertical living in small-town of India, and sets a new benchmark for civic architecture. Through innovation in spatial planning, material selection, and urban sensibility, it offers a new model for integrated community-residential buildings—one where private dreams and public life coexist in harmony.
Color Palette
The color scheme of the flooring is muted and neutral, aligning with the overall minimalist aesthetic of the room. The primary colors are:
•Light Gray/Beige: The base color of the floor, providing a neutral backdrop.
•Black: The color of the linear segments, creating a bold contrast.
•Subtle Brown Tones: There are faint hints of brown within the base material, likely from the natural speckling of the stone or composite used, adding depth and warmth to the otherwise cool-toned palette.
The facade of this house is an intricately designed element, complemented by the first-floor flooring, which features a geometric pattern of short, linear segments in gray and yellow Kota stone set against light gray terrazzo. The wave-like formation, with varying line lengths and thicknesses, radiates in concentric arcs, resembling ripples, adding a playful yet sophisticated touch. This pattern extends seamlessly across the space and up the staircase, creating a cohesive visual flow that makes the area feel larger and interconnected. The design harmonizes with circular furniture and a colorful rug, adding warmth and texture, transforming the space into an art gallery-like environment. The flooring’s intricate design serves as a focal point, blending minimalist aesthetics with a modern, dynamic feel, while maintaining practicality.
The gathering hall, a key design element, exemplifies a blend of luxury and minimalism. Its circular layout is highlighted by the concentric flooring and domed ceiling. The walls, clad in white marble with gray veining and framed by teakwood slats, feature a horizontal dark green marble band that adds contrast and frames niches and windows. The floor, a polished white marble mosaic with green and reddish-brown marble inlays, mirrors the ceiling’s radial design, creating a visual anchor that reflects light and enhances luxury. The teakwood ceiling, with a grid-like pattern and marble inlays, converges at a modern chandelier, adding rhythmic elegance. This space combines modern design with timeless materials, using marble, wood, and stone in a neutral palette to create a serene, harmonious environment. The play of natural and artificial light enhances the materials, ensuring a contemplative, high-end interior.
As an architect in the industry for more than 2 decades now, we approach the design of each space with the philosophy that every element should feel like a piece of art, contributing to a cohesive and artistic narrative within the environment. Our goal is to craft spaces that are timeless, avoiding the exotic or overly bold designs that may leave a fleeting impression, quickly fading into a short-lived memory. Instead, we aim for a subtle complexity—a design language that resonates with a long-term appeal, deeply connecting with the humans who inhabit the space. This is the foundational thought process that guides our design ethos.
Our interiors are not intended to be overpowering elements that demand attention until they become a burden to experience. Rather, they are conceived to evolve alongside the client, fostering a relationship where the space grows with its users over time. We adopt an architectural approach to interior design, creating environments that are dynamic and adaptive, reflecting the evolving needs and lifestyles of those who live within them. The spaces we design are meant to impact the way people live, encouraging a psychological transformation that turns the environment into a living narrative—a story that intertwines the vision of the architect with the personal journey of the client.
By focusing on timelessness, we ensure that the design remains relevant and cherished across years, even decades. We achieve this through a restrained yet thoughtful use of materials, forms, and textures, ensuring that the space feels both artistic and functional. The subtle mess we introduce—through carefully curated imperfections or organic elements—adds depth and character, making the space feel alive and relatable. This approach allows the design to resonate on a human level, creating an emotional connection that transcends mere aesthetics.
Ultimately, our aim is to craft interiors that not only serve as a backdrop for life but also actively shape and enhance the lifestyle of the client. The spaces we create are meant to inspire, evolve, and leave a lasting psychological impact, transforming the environment into a meaningful dialogue between the architect’s vision and the client’s story. This is how we design spaces that are not just inhabited but truly lived in and loved, becoming a timeless part of the client’s journey.
The challenges in this bungalow stem from the ambition to create environments that are both artistic and functional, timeless yet evolving, and luxurious yet approachable. From the technical complexities of executing intricate patterns and integrating materials to the conceptual challenges of designing for psychological impact and long-term appeal, each element requires careful consideration and expertise. As a principal architect, addressing these challenges involves a deep understanding of materials, craftsmanship, and human psychology, as well as a collaborative approach with clients to ensure that the space not only reflects the design vision but also enhances their lifestyle over time. Despite these hurdles, the result is a series of spaces that are visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and enduring—true reflections of the architect’s and client’s shared story.