This New Delhi home is a portrait in concrete

Archohm Consults Pvt Ltd designs a modern and bespoke home for a three generational family.

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Andre J Fanthome; courtesy Archohm Consults Pvt Ltd

The brief

Portrait in Concrete is a compact residence designed by Archohm Consults Pvt Ltd which is set within the dense framework of South Ex in New Delhi. The client desired a pragmatic home for three generations of their family — the home had to accommodate 75-year-old socially-engaged grandparents, as well as adolescent daughters with a wide range of interests. It was important for the spaces to be interconnected, and they desired a modern streamlined style with clean edges.

The design intent

The intent was to construct a vertical house that met the needs and desires of all three generations of a family. Therefore, right at the outset, the design team took notes on the likes, dislikes, hobbies, and other interests of every family member; and used it in creating personalised spaces.

The most important component of building such a small house is to provide large open spaces without losing critical areas. It was also a challenge to provide solitude without sacrificing the house’s light and circulation on a south-facing plot with dense fabric and a neighbour at arm’s length. Hence, the plot is divided into two halves, each with separate living spaces connected by shared areas. As the house is set on a narrow plot and the width of the house is roughly the same as an Innova car, the design team decided to use concrete as the primary material with the intention of maximising internal spaces, and essentially building a beamless house.

The spatial configuration

This seven level building’s stilt floor has a drive-through porch that connects to the main entrance of the house, while a grand staircase links the stilt to the ground floor. The ground floor is the apex of the house with the kitchen and dining areas. The client’s personal space is on the first floor, while the children’s area is placed on the second floor. The clients entertain their guests on the third floor’s formal living and dining areas, which spills out onto the terrace garden and swimming pool. A study and the servant rooms are located on the basement level.

The design and material details

The design of this residence adopts simple geometries to draw a dramatic play of both light and volume. Narrow apertures punctures through the facade and manipulate complex crossings of natural light and shadow into the interior spaces. A triple volume living space upon entrance is devoted to daily life, composed of a perceptible geometry, with the insertion of a concrete wall dedicated to the expression of creativity running within the family. A pool with a retractable roof, terrace garden, and projector screen at the top creates spaces that promote the development of modern individuals. Cleverly arranged building elements made of exposed concrete and glass reflect the incident light and create lively shadow plays during the course of the day. Above all, the living space volume creates an independent space that defines contemporary houses.

The highlights

“The terrace is the highlight because of the high parapet which ensures privacy whilst framing the beautiful sky, and the same characteristic is in the formal living where we have framed the sky through an opening that is 7 feet above the floor. It’s a perpetual game of hide and seek, with the vistas being hidden and the light being sought,” says Sourabh Gupta, principal architect, Archohm Consults Pvt Ltd.

Fact file

Project: Portrait in Concrete
Client: Tushar Agarwal and Priya Agarwal
Location: South Ex II, New Delhi
Area: 6,750 sq ft
Principal architect: Sourabh Gupta
Design team: Varun Sood, Harsh Chauhan, Tarak Murari, Naveen Rawat and Sebanti Sarkar
Structural consultant: ROARK
Civil consultant: Shilpkar Construction
Landscape consultant: Masjid Nursery
HVAC consultant: Vigasa Industries Pvt Ltd
Plumbing consultant: Techno Consultants
PMC consultant: Ten on Ten