The residence was an extremely interesting project for Morphogenesis, given the firm’s belief that a home should reflect the personality of the owner. In this particular instance, the personalities of the family were quite unique, and the house embodies that. It can simply be described as an elegant understated house that is experiential in nature and its architectural wonder lies in the subtle juxtapositions of spatial relationships that reveal themselves over time. it’s the sequence of unraveling experiential moments as one walks through this house that defines this project and really makes it special.
The house sits almost quietly among typical south Delhi row houses. It orients itself away from the busy main road and one enters through a discreet, almost opaque façade. A pleasant surprise reveals itself, in the way that green is interwoven into the plan as one moves along within the space. Shafts of light, at different points of the day, penetrate deep into the central open plan space of the house. An interesting shadow pattern emerges at different times of the day.
The inside-outside quality of the spaces has been achieved in all living spaces which transform into extended outdoor living spaces. There are outdoor rooms, patios and verandahs where outside living is possible almost through the year due to correct orientation and environmental moderation using horticulture and shading devices. The interesting outdoor dining area which has been built around the tree reflects the same quality. The wild grass garden attached to the study area has a sculptural elegance whist it is barely 80sft. The garden setting for the sculptural tree and flower installation by Alex Davis is another such surprise insertion which stands across two floors, day light streaming across.
The Master Bedroom is almost entirely surrounded by outdoor-indoor spaces of different kinds. One wakes up to the tree which is rising from the dining area below, and steps out into the terrace which looks out at the beautiful mulberry tree which appears to have existed forever and has that aged quality in its trunk which comes through from this level. The quiet library and its attached terrace sits in a double height void whilst being entirely private and overlooks the wild grass garden below. On reaching the upper floor, hand-crafted trellis work in leaf patterns reflects the falling leaves outside, encapsulating an outdoor-indoor room. Shadow, leaf patterns, amorphous patterns which form trellis work along railings, striped patterns which form verandahs and trees which cast shadows deep into the house, all are part of this very subtle engagement with light, material and craft. The use of art and handicraft is eclectic and omnipresent and has its roots in many interesting conversations with the client during design stages. The owners are ardent travellers and continuously learn and nurture craft, she writes and he photographs. A lot of spaces of the house are designed keeping in mind these strong hobbies, which are part of the personality of the owners, and extend to becoming a part of the house. The basement flooded by daylight, clearly exhibits another aspect of their personalities- that of fit, on-the-move people who foster many hobbies. There are exercise spaces, yoga courts and a phenomenal home theatre with state of the art facilities, because the family is a lover of music and movies.
This house is very closely intertwined with the personalities of the people, is replete with nuances of their lifestyle and embodies all this in an elegant, understated and timeless architecture.