Excerpt: The Elevated Compact House, designed by Prashant Parmar Architect – Shayona Consultant, offers thoughtful space planning that breaks limitations of small plots by incorporating breathable design, natural light, and ventilation. With garden balconies on every level, the design of this residence features two cantilevered cuboids integrated into the three-story structure, giving the house a distinct character.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] Large plots are not essential for lavish homes, but thoughtful space planning can break the limitations of small plots by making it breathable, inviting adequate natural light and ventilation. This Elevated Compact House is a unique example of going beyond the limitations.
This 1400 sq ft west-facing plot, with site dimensions of 35′ x 40′ and a built-up area of 4700 sq ft, is located in the densely populated area of Paldi, Ahmedabad. The front of the plot is attached to the main road on the west side and society road on the south side. And there is a common wall on the east side and an adjacent plot on the north side with minimal margins. To give a unique identity to this house, the architects have created 2 cantilevered cuboids in this G+3 structure by providing garden balconies on every level.
The architects faced a significant challenge in accommodating the client’s extensive programmatic requirements within the constraints of the limited plot area. The design needed to incorporate four generously sized bedrooms, each with its own garden balcony and attached bathroom, as well as parking for three cars. Additional spaces included a servant room, a dedicated puja space, a lift for vertical movement, a drawing room, a spacious kitchen and dining area, two store rooms, and a large terrace garden. Furthermore, the bungalow was to be equipped with high-tech automation, adding another layer of complexity to the design process.
Also, in this limited floor plate, the client wanted to have all the activities connected with nature or balconies. But, the architects took it as an opportunity and expanded the bungalow vertically which eventually led them to fulfill the client’s requirements and explore their expertise in the vertical facades. To cut the harsh sunlight from the South side, solid walls have been created on this side with minimal openings. This bungalow is equipped with a high-end automation system for the ease of the client. To get a seamless and subtle feel, Italian Marble has been laid on all 3 floors.
Ground Floor: On the ground floor, there is parking provided for 3 cars, a lift, a servant room, puja space, and a vestibule. The automated sliding gate is adorned with WPC planks with MS frames, which also provide privacy for indoor activities. To maintain the privacy, the architects have provided the squarish perforated grey-coloured jali wall on the south face, which creates an interesting pattern of light and shadow in the parking area.
Main Door & Grill Door: In continuation with Jali wall pattern, the grill door and main door are beautified with fluted panels, CNC Cut Work, Corian, and black colored back-painted glass.
First Floor: The first floor features a well-placed drawing room with a west-facing garden balcony, ensuring ample natural light. The space is highlighted by beige stone cladding behind an Italian leather sofa and enhanced by a wood veneer ceiling. The dining area, seamlessly connected to the drawing room, balcony, and kitchen, exudes luxury with its Italian marble dining top and beige leather chairs, complemented by fluted panels on the TV wall. The modular kitchen is designed with a minimalist aesthetic, featuring light grey matte cabinets and dark grey quartz surfaces. Additionally, the floor includes a bedroom, designed with clean details and attached to a small garden balcony, as well as a store room.
Second Floor: The second floor features two spacious bedrooms bathed in natural light throughout the day. The son’s bedroom connects directly to a balcony, fostering a strong connection with nature. It is uniquely characterized by knitted MCM cladding with vertical profile lights, and tinted mirrors on the wardrobe shutters enhance the room’s spaciousness. The master bedroom, located on the main road side, also includes a large balcony to maintain a link with the surrounding activities. The room’s design is distinguished by a soothing mix of stone veneer and marble-printed PVC fluted panels as a bed backdrop, complemented by colored PU polish, veneer wardrobe shutters, and fabric-textured ceiling wallpaper. Both bedrooms come with large dress and toilet areas.
Third Floor: The third floor serves as the heart of the bungalow, featuring an expansive open terrace garden with informal seating and an attached large bedroom. The suite room is designed with leather-finished fluted panels as a backdrop to a beige leather pleated bed, offering a seamless and clutter-free look with a camouflaged door leading to a spacious dress and toilet area. This bedroom opens directly onto the main terrace garden, with large DGU reflective sliding glass doors providing privacy and natural light throughout the day, complemented by sliding grills for added security. The terrace garden, a favorite spot for the client, is designed for year-round enjoyment, featuring an automated sliding roof and a natural brick-clad wall that enhances the cozy atmosphere.
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