House around a staircase
Designed for an infotech professional and a textile designer, the house addresses a small site constrained by neighbor encroachment. The design strategy prioritizes sustainability and a compact yet spacious feel, utilizing a "carved" approach to volume that maximizes light and ventilation despite the restricted side setbacks.
The interior features a cascading split-level layout organized around a light-weight metal and wood staircase. This flowing triple-height volume connects the double-height foyer, dining area, and bedrooms. Space-saving interventions, like a mezzanine in the children’s room and a Dutch-door system, ensure every inch of the 1,200 sft plot is functional.
A sustainable urban home crafted from earth and light, demonstrating elegance within a compact footprint.
The design centers on a low-carbon footprint, employing Cement Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB) in a rat-trap bond for insulation and texture. By eliminating plaster and leaving mud, wood, and stone exposed, the house gains a raw, tactile character. To overcome the lack of side light, openings are concentrated at the front, back, and through skylights. A recycled wood grill system on the east façade filters morning light while ensuring security. This "carved" architecture proves that small-scale urban living can be ecologically sensitive, economical, and deeply connected to nature.
Photography: Shine Parsana
