Project: Tall House
Architects: Sunil Patil & Associates
Location: Baner, Pune, India
Area: 5,108 sq ft
Photographs by: Hemant Patil
Tall House by Sunil Patil & Associates
The Tall House by Sunil Patil & Associates is a contemporary residence located in Baner, a suburb of the Indian city of Pune. The 5,108 square foot home is designed to satisfy a businessman’s family of 4 and his parents.
The architects faced a challenge where the client’s expectations were a lot bigger than the available area for construction. This is where the name of the residence comes from. They decided to build up when they couldn’t build in width. We’ll let you come to your own conclusions after reading the architects’ description. Enjoy!
Armed with a carpet area of 484.78 sq m, this spacious bungalow is nestled in the residential colony of Baner, Pune. The house is built for businessman and his wife with 2 grown up kids and his parents. Ar.Sunil Patil believes that the clients brief and architects design instincts should be in sync in order to design space with a soul.
Ar. Sunil Patil rightly calls this residence- “Tall House”. It was a typical urban scenario where plot size was not enormous but client’s expectations were. Congestion in metros and bullish trends in land cost have forced independent bungalows to grow vertically. Hence the challenge was to design spaces vertically (with a basement as required) with three levels, ensuring interaction at all levels.
The outcome was a triple heighted courtyard and family lounge, parent’s bed, kitchen dinning on the ground floor. Two bed rooms – master’s bed and daughter bed on the first floor and on the second floor a swimming pool gym Home Theater and son’s bed room on the third floor.
Here’s how the story unfolded. Décor is simple ornamental and contemporary. The residence is unique in its urbanism yet basic principles of sustainability have been incorporated with courtyards, water bodies, ample of light and ventilation in the design. The exterior is simple massing with geometric composition. Yet the 35 feet elevation looks very arresting with prodema- exterior veneer cladding facade. The grey granite steps give an elegant look to the entrance. The other gate at the entrance leads to the basement where car parking is given for 2 four wheelers. The interiors have been designed not only to suit the classic taste of the couple but has been fuss free and functional. Black and White theme has been used throughout. Paint has not only spruced up the spaces but also has gives a dramatic effect on the mind and body of the dwellers. The landscape is designed with perfect resonance with the design and its surroundings.
The mystery of the tall house revels itself once you are inside and you see this magnificent triple heighted courtyard which segregates the living room into formal and informal family lounge. To enhance the visual dynamics of space, the family lounge stretches till the walk out where a beautiful water cascade has been created, bringing light and nature in and giving a sense of openness. The formal living space is a mixture of vernacular and contemporary style, where on one of the walls, black stone masonry is done and the other wall is designed with circular holes/punctures with fixed glass. The glass chandelier at the ceiling blends perfectly well with the punctures, living a lasting impression and enhancing the design of the room. The circular punctures filter the light in, creating a dynamic mural at different times of the day, as the sun moves. Pneumatic elevator has been placed in the courtyard which takes you to the above levels in case one does not want to take stairs.
The design has made way for an open kitchen next to the dining area adjoining the family lounge. The Kitchen has been designed functional with all high tech gizmos. The utility and store are concealed behind the cabinets, giving way to a crisp clean kitchen. The sense of openness by keeping the number of walls minimum and the enhancement of the open courtyard has channelized the flow of air around the spaces. The dining area leads to a walkout where vertical garden has been created. From the walk out the servants can enter the basement where space for office has been designed. The pooja adjacent to the dining area is simple and elegant with white marble and frosted glass.
On the first floor, a balance between elegance and warmth is noticed in both the master bed room and daughters bedroom. Wooden flooring adds up to the warmth in all the bedrooms. Master bed opens up to a huge terrace. The walk in closets in dressing areas in both the beds attaching the bathrooms makes space for long bedrooms which seem clean and clutter free. Open shelves, study unit and ledges for seating in the window have been designed in daughter’s bedroom.
Stairs between both the bedrooms lead to the third floor where Home theater and multipurpose hall is designed in such a way that whenever needed it becomes one with swimming pool deck. Te swimming pool with opposite current system has been designed on the second floor. Convertible places have been created here where the room could turn into a partying space and at times can be closed and a quite home theater can be enjoyed.
The other side of the stairs on the second floor is the son’s bedroom with small courtyard between the bathroom and the bedroom. Since the son likes a leisurely bath, the bathroom has been designed in a high tech way. The bedroom is dressed in white color with a huge cozy roomy bed. The image of Rolls Royce behind the bed creates an appropriate ambience suiting his passion for cars. Play of shapes opposite to the bed at study table is a blend of functionality and design.
The end result being a tall house, where space flows with balance between openness and functionality.
-Text description provided by Sunil Patil & Associates
