PR HOUSE
AHMEDABAD, 2019
With an eclectic mix of elements, the AR and PR Houses embodies the spirit of a multigenerational joint-family system into its design approach. Created to celebrate the close-knit relationship between two brothers, their families and their parents, these two bungalows in Ahmedabad ensure privacy and also provide a sense of togetherness for the occupants
The plot was an elongated rectangle of 80 ft x 280 feet, its dimensions making the location of the two structures a fait accompli. With adjoining properties flanking the three sides of the plot, the landscaped oasis of the central lawn became the receptacle of views for both houses. Two large verandas form the thresholds between each home and the open space, serving as a semi-covered gathering area for large groups.
In a city that enjoys the legacy of Louis Kahn and Corbusier with a modernist design undercurrent, we chose a material palette of exposed concrete, brick, stone and wood — a commitment with which the clients were comfortable, even though this palette would dictate their aesthetic choices in future. The red bricks are flatter than the contemporary ones, proportions seen in the fortified walls of Ahmedabad, a reference to the regional location of the bungalows. Sun-dried and made from rubble, they have minimal impact on the environment.
While both bungalows were designed with a cohesive approach, they are distinctly different indoors. Besides enumerating the number of bedrooms and other spaces, the brief only directed the designers to keep the homes functional.
The design on one entrance door and the light above a bar present symbolic connotations to decipher, while imparting meaning to the design. Then there’s a “family street”, a central axis symbolising family connections that runs through both houses. A natural flow of movement was choreographed from the front private garden of the home in front, moving via the public spaces like the veranda, dining and family living areas, onto the central garden, traversing across to the public spaces of the second home and exiting in the rear private garden.This organisation technique allows the users of the space, both young and old, to feel naturally linked in a fluidic manner.
Louvres bring in visual and physical connections to the landscape and, more importantly, provide passive control of ventilation. The north-and south-facing parallel walls have minimum apertures to ensure privacy. The jharokhas with seats were interpreted with a contemporary touch, the box-like frame contrasting with the surrounding wall.
Showcasing their acute awareness of materials and craftsmanship, most of the furniture was customised, with the use of materials such as stone and brass in combination with Valsadi wood, salvaged from the traditional pol houses of the old city. Furthermore, art and sculpture were specifically commissioned from young artists to fit into certain spaces in the homes.
These homes are an example of a marriage of modern living and vernacular sensibilities, with an eclectic mix of design elements embodinh the spirit of a multigenerational joint-family system, with distinct personalities coming together to form an amalgamation of designed spaces. Architecture, here, celebrates identity and unity within a framework of the family’s life and values. The design of the homes provides a sense of identity to the users, while simultaneously binding them together.
Photographer: Vinay Panjwani
