Prashant Parmar Architect / Shayona consultant: Large plots are not essential for lavish homes, but thoughtful space planning can break the limitations of small plots making it breathable, inviting adequate natural light and ventilation. Cradled in the posh residential area of Ahmedabad, Paldi, this Narrow House is a unique example of balancing the yin and the yang of the architecture as well as interiors incorporating nature within the build forms.
On the East of this 2,600 sq. ft. plot, lies a narrow road in the front, a common wall on the South that blocked Wind & Natural Light. This created worries in the mind of the client. Also, the plot is surrounded by neighboring bungalows with very less margins. But the experience and the expertise of the architect broke all the hurdles and created an exemplary Bungalow named “Narrow House”.
Since the initial stage of planning, the home was to be made breathable and extensive in every aspect like functionality, design, and aesthetics with full of natural light & ventilation. The spaces have been woven in such a way that it has interconnectivity within and outside capturing the essence of nature in every space creating stepped gardens on each floor. The extended roof slabs and the gardens on each floor eliminate the overheating effect during the scorching summer in Ahmedabad and allow the cool breeze to enter the interior spaces.
A person is warm-heartedly welcomed during the daytime by the interesting drama of light & shadow created by the MS pergolas on the entry steps & otta. The grandeur of the Drawing Room is experienced by the huge 25’ long wall highlighted with burnt brick cladding in a herringbone pattern as a backdrop of Grey toned genuine leather sofa. The seamless flow & visual connectivity can be observed through the dining & kitchen, without any wall barriers hindering the vision.
The central zone is the heart of the bungalow designed to have a triple-height sky lounge with a glass top acting as a contrast to the solitary interiors allowing the user to experience the skylight and engage. This space is accommodated with an artistically placed Dining Table in the center. The MCM stone cladding on this triple-height wall highlights the uniformity between all three floors.
A soothing combination of wood veneer, PU & beige colored fabric in the headboard of the Master Bedroom enhances the minimalism of the space. A semi-covered elevated garden with pergolas makes the space more interesting. Furthermore, the wooden figured grey MCM panels with mirror panels & decorative lights amplify the magnificence of the daughter’s bedroom.
The material palette is selected in such a way that it exemplifies the timeless interior with a subtle look. The use of natural cladding materials like Stone Crete Textures and MCM is done for the exterior. Whereas a tranquilizing combination of various veneers with beige PU polish & Italian marble flooring is used for the interiors making the house Sustainable. The special characteristic of this Narrow House is that even after having very limited floor plates, the spaces look very large from inside.
