Hidden treasure A blank, concrete facade belies the crafty areas and spacious indoors of this house Above and facing page: Set amid a busy neighbourhood, this 9000 sq ft house in Amritsar sits on a tight site. Architect Dinesh Panwar has used concrete and wood in the double-storied structure, and created strategic small openings for windows. Following pages: Reflective marquina and wood have been used for the floor in the formal living room. A DeMajo chandelier is the only dramatic light fixture in this area. A facade is usually a good indicator of the architectural style employed, while reflecting the design of the interiors. Sometimes though a blank canvas is necessary so as not to reveal the interiors and maintain mystery. Architect Dinesh Panwar s Amritsar project is one such house that reveals little through its concrete exteriors. The principal architect of New Delhi-based firm Urbanscape has designed the box-like structure for a family of six. The 114 ft x 46 ft plot didn t give us much scope for an expansive property, says Panwar. Besides, the Westfacing plot sits between two houses so privacy had to be created for the residents. The linear structure makes use of the entire plot. The partially exposed concrete struc- ture protects the house from direct sunlight and keeps it cool throughout the day. The West sun is blocked by suspended wooden louvers. The number of windows and doors has been limited to ensure privacy. A lawn occupies the northeastern edge of the plot. Spread over 9000 sq ft, the house consists of two living rooms, two dining areas, a kitchen, home theatre and five 2 more homes at trendsideas.com Home Trends Vol 2 No 2 2011
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Left: Although sparsely decorated, the lobby and the corridor feature interesting elements. Ceramic tiles clad on the wall provide an interesting backdrop for the 100-year-old irregular log, which has been paired with a wooden console, both bought from Viya Home. The wood and metal staircase receives light from the internal courtyard. trendsideas.com 7
bedrooms with bathrooms. A ground floor corridor that runs along an internal, landscaped court connects the lobby to the formal living room, dining area, kitchen and the informal living room, says the architect. The court channels light in the interiors while visually binding the top two floors. A paneled door leads to the formal living room, which is a dramatic space with reflective black marquina floor and champagne upholstery on the furniture. The formal living room extends to the dining and bar, which in turn are connected to the kitchen by large, ebony shutters, says Panwar. The dining area offers views of the internal court on one side and the lawn on the other. A wooden platform accen- Facing page: The informal living room combines the seating and dining areas. The chesterfields from Stanley complement the Pinakin dining table. The Swarovski lamps add a soft glow to this space. Above and left: A black-and-white modular kitchen conceals storage cabinets and drawers while a wood paneled wall hides the cooking range and other appliances. A painting from the owners collection depicts a traditional Indian kitchen. Home Trends Vol 2 No 2 2011 more homes at trendsideas.com 9
tuates and draws attention to the sheesham and glass staircase. In addition to the three bedrooms, a casual seating area also finds place on the first floor. According to the architect, the owners wanted a space where they could unwind at the end of the day and this lead to the designing of this all-pastel area. Glass, exposed concrete and smooth walls come together in the master bedroom. A Baker-style bed with an immense headboard dominates the space. Walk-in wardrobes and a dresser find place at the rear, while the room extends in to a balcony. Panwar adds, Although the balcony overlooks the main entrance, wooden louvers partially hide the space, ensuring privacy. All the bedrooms have walk-in wardrobes and separate dressing areas. The bathrooms are spacious and equipped with classy fittings and storage areas. The biggest challenge, says the architect, has been to get all the materials to the city of Amritsar. We had to source materials from all over the country as well as from abroad. This was a time-consuming process. Facing page: The sheesham and glass staircase offers a view of the landscaped court. The first floor has three bedrooms and a private seating area. Above and left: The master bedroom is sparsely furnished. A Baker-style bed with a leather headboard from Pinakin dominates the room. A vibrant artwork stands out on the exposed concrete wall. Planters have been used to add greenery to the adjacent balcony. 10 more homes at trendsideas.com Home Trends Vol 2 No 2 2011 Home Trends Vol 2 No 2 2011 more homes at trendsideas.com 11
Architect/ designer: Urbanscape Associations: Council Of Architecture (COA) Window/door: Domal Aluminum Systems Furniture: Pinakin, Alchemy, Urbanscape Flooring: Classic Marble, Rathi Granite Wallcoverings: Elemento Paints: Oikos Paints Lighting: Swarosvki, DeMajo, Floss, Lucifer, Artemiede by vis a vis, Jaguae Lighting Splashback: Blue Pearl granite Oven: Kaff Stove/hob: Kaff Ventilation: Cata Microwave: Kaff Refrigerator: LG Bath: Villeroy & Boch, Flaminia, Simas, Kohler Vanity: Villeroy & Boch Basin: Villeroy & Boch, Flaminia, Simas, Kohler Hotwater systems: Sola Hart Tiles: Palladio Toilet: Villeroy & Boch, Flaminia, Simas, Kohler Accessories: Keuco, FCML, V&B Bedlinen: Bhavna Kohli Art Work: Vaikuntham sketches, Asit Kumar Patnaik, Shirish Bhatt Outdoor lighting: Erco, LEDS Sculptures: Odessey Left and above: Mosaic tiles add drama to the children s bathroom. The 6ftx12ft space appears much larger thanks to its linear design and the use of mosaic tiles. The bathtub has been recessed into the elevated platform to prevent children from slipping. Story by Kamna Malik Photography by Sameer Chawda Share this story online at Trendsideas.com/go/33120 trendsideas.com 13