Chatterbox

The Dadabhoy residence is nested in a 500 sq yard corner plot, shaded by the cover of foliage guarding its boundary. The architect has carved out a slender volume within the plot, creating large open spaces landscaped with plants and paved rock patios. The entrance to the house is lined with mock concrete timber planks set in smooth pebbles and framed by a row of fresh green bamboo leaves.  This promenade channels the visitor to the paved patio and main entrance to the house.

The thoughtful placing of each paver, the careful unfolding of views and the quiet transition of materials used signal the slower pace at which the architecture is experienced. In the marked absence of corridors, one room leads to another in graduated volumes of space, measures of lighting and size of openings. There is a concerted effort to ensure each room enjoys views out into the garden, receives natural light and aids the wind direction in ventilating the house.

An earthy palate of materials and tones of colors is used in the finishing of surfaces. The grey of the concrete frames the use of deep hues of golden timber and washed terrazzo. The harmony in the orchestration of a wide range of indoor and outdoor wall and floor treatments and carefully planned views out and into the house dissolves firm boundaries between spaces. Thus, despite the many types of entertaining and living spaces accommodated within the limited plot of land, each room is generously and appropriately sized for its use.

The architect has evidently also lent her expertise in the design of the interiors as building in furniture into the structure of the house to maximize the use of space. Straight, repetitive and sharp lines in the structure of the building are softened with handmade and customized furnishings within the house: the jhoola in the courtyard, the carved lever handle on a window frame, jute sandwiched between double glazed glass screens.

The plan of the house has been organized to define the circulation of visitors and screens to guard views across spaces to accommodate the need for ‘purdah’ between public and private spaces as her work consistently addresses the clients brief.