Breaking Walls Building Bridges

This project is a perfect example of where architecture and spatial planning have been effectively used to create a functional, effervescent space, well suited for bringing together the different members of a joint family. The specific design was achieved by optimising the orientation of spaces, making strategic connections, introducing ample daylight and creating free-flowing large informal spaces.

- Rashmi Gopal Rao

Built on a plot size of 8000 sq ft with a built-up area of approximately 15000 sq ft, this aesthetically designed residence is a result of a complete remodeling and extension project. Located on the outskirts of Agra, the original house had too many walls that resulted in a cluttered and to a certain extent disjointed space.

The key objective of the renovation project was to increase the visual permeability within the living spaces at all the levels and to create open lively spaces for the entire family to come together. The house currently accommodates a joint family of five and often hosts extended family as well.

The idea was to retain the original structure but install ‘inserts’ to expand the dimensions of the spaces exponentially by bringing in new volumes, plenty of natural light and connectivity. “This project necessitated us to really think out of the box and into it and through it. So, we started by breaking the box open, shuffling the spaces, defining the axis, generating vertical connections and most importantly identifying the inserts, as we call it and their character. We kept our scope very defined, specifically creating voids within the solid and injecting these inserts which act as transitional elements. These sit quietly into the structure transforming the typology of the space sections” says Abhinav Chaudhary, Principal Architect of Flying seeds design studios.