A question of scale
Both residences have a strong geometry and emphasise linearity in both horizontal and vertical directions. In terms of scale, the site area of S+P Residence is vast with surrounding natural landscaping and focuses on a contemporary style design. It is in perfect accord with the family’s refined taste and requirements in every aspect. While sitting in a traditional neighbourhood in a busy metropolis, the house makes a bold identity for itself by combining a variety of design elements. The built spaces and the landscapes are separated here but are visually connected to the courtyard area.
The House of Lights, on the other hand, is located in the outskirts of the city in a gated community. The project site is smaller than the former one but has all the required spaces within the site. In keeping with the client’s occupational background in textile and garments, the building is designed with raw textures like exposed concrete, bricks, and wood finish. The landscape in this building design brings the built spaces close to nature.
Designing the details
At the S+P residence, the foyer leads into the living room and then to the dining and kitchen areas. This area makes considerable use of materials such as granite, marble, and wood. Due to the skylight above and expansive views surrounding it, the formal living space has a relaxing ambience about it. The use of wood louvers as a partition between the living and dining provides privacy between the spaces yet allowing a natural visual flow. Minimal furniture and simple pendant lights hanging from the interiors add softness to the dining space.
The entry of the house is distinguished by a tiny flight of steps backed by plants, giving it a contemporary yet inviting feel. On the ground level, a swimming pool is included as an element that improves the space’s quality. It not only helps the plan remain faithful to its idea, but it also helps to maintain the microclimate of the location. The swimming pool is located directly in front of the family living area to encourage residents to spend more time outside and enjoy the house’s surroundings and landscape aspects.
The design attempts to separate private and public spaces and create an ambience in which the distinction between outdoor and indoor spaces is lost, allowing residents to enjoy an unrestricted and unhindered feel.
As for The House of Lights, it has cantilevered planes and projected volumes while following a contemporary functional layout. Brick and concrete are exposed on the elevation to emphasise the character of the house.
Expansive, light-infused spaces
The S+P house is designed in a way where every space is able to relate to the nature and the exterior. The union and subtraction of geometries create an interesting play of light and shadows, and drama in masses and voids. The projections on the exterior provide a sense of openness within the enclosure.
At the House of Lights, to allow penetration of natural light and fresh air, a clean composition of internal volumes and voids are designed, which also enable the spaces to flow into each other while merging with the outdoors.
A language of landscape and materials
At the S+P House, the side of the residence where it is difficult to bring in light and ventilation, a courtyard is created on the outside to ensure that the formal living and bedrooms are well lit and ventilated.
Meanwhile, at the House of Lights, a small private sit out is created on the outside for the residents to enjoy the ambience and serenity of the landscape. Materials used here are exposed bricks, concretes, and wood on the exterior. The interiors are finished with granite, marble and wooden finish which lends a contemporary look to the building and spaces. Imported furniture and lighting from China are carefully selected for the interior.
The landscape here becomes the main element in the design process. It offers an unobstructed view of the building, blending in with the garden through floor to ceiling windows. It is as if the landscape flows into the interior spaces. The garden area in the west has an artificial pond surrounded by lush plantation. The deck area provides access to the table tennis room enclosed by glazed sliding doors. The open to sky court, with creepers climbing through and around the grill, with a view out to the landscape offers a calm aura for the user utilising the space.
Minimal furniture and lightings in the interiors which are imported from Bali add softness and elegance. The artistic use of materials such as granite, marble, and wood provide ambience close to nature. The use of double height ceiling in areas like dining hall and family living provides ample natural lighting and ventilation. The dining hall has two attractive garden spaces on either side offering a multitude of spatial experience for the user.
Both the homes are designed keeping in mind the location and needs of the client, making them each unique and exciting.
Fact File 1:
Project Name:Â S+P Residence
Design firm:Â Cubism Architects
Gross Built Area: 7,200 sq ft
Location: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Lead Architects:Â Prasanna Parvatikar, Roopashree Parvatikar
Photography Credits: Inclined StudioÂ
Fact File 2:
Project Name:Â The House of Lights
Design firm:Â Cubism Architects
Gross Built Area: 8,440 sq ft              Â
Location: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Lead Architects:Â Prasanna Parvatikar, Roopashree Parvatikar
Photography Credits: Inclined StudioÂ
Read the article in the magazine issue here.
About the design firm:
Located at Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, Cubism Architects & Interiors has been exploring creativity and redefining boundaries since its inception in 2000. Be it sprawling homes or corporate offices, commercial buildings or schools, their focus is always on translating the design brief to create spaces that build identities and architectural narratives appropriate to the context and aspirations of each project.
