Houston Houzz: An American Home For An Indian Family
Based on a traditional Hindu grid and with a gallery devoted to Ganesh, this home for 3 generations in Texas still speaks to modernism
John Hill
16 January 2018
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City. I have Bachelor of Architecture and Master in Urban Planning degrees, and over ten years experience in architectural practice, split between Chicago and NYC. Currently I'm focused on writing and online pursuits. My daily blog can be found at http://archidose.blogspot.com
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City. I have Bachelor... More
Can modern architecture be used to enable a family’s traditions and heritage? The knee-jerk answer might be no, since early-20th-century modernism ignored tradition in a number of ways. But given that today’s modern architecture combines modern style with today’s technologies and ways of life, is it possible that it can be just as suitable a backdrop to heritage as another style?
A balance of modern life and the heritage of a three-generation family is but one way of describing the Ramchandani residence in Houston, designed by Intexure Architects. This ideabook will walk you through the house to explore the above questions and also see how the house relates to its landscape, and how the owners take advantage of the spaces around the house.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: 3 generations of an Indian family
Location: Houston, US
A balance of modern life and the heritage of a three-generation family is but one way of describing the Ramchandani residence in Houston, designed by Intexure Architects. This ideabook will walk you through the house to explore the above questions and also see how the house relates to its landscape, and how the owners take advantage of the spaces around the house.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: 3 generations of an Indian family
Location: Houston, US
The Ramchandani residence has a large, double-height space at its heart to separate but also connect the rooms on either side.
On the rear side of the house, that double-height space is visible through full-height glass walls partially shaded by an overhanging roof. Note the concrete walls that extend from the house – the one on the left props up the second floor, and the one on the right is freestanding – as these are important parts of the design.
It’s also worth pointing out the variety of outdoor spaces: The open space by the pool, the smaller spaces under the balcony and low roof, and the sheltered outdoor kitchen at the end of the driveway.
Here’s how to turn the outdoor space into a super comfy lounge
On the rear side of the house, that double-height space is visible through full-height glass walls partially shaded by an overhanging roof. Note the concrete walls that extend from the house – the one on the left props up the second floor, and the one on the right is freestanding – as these are important parts of the design.
It’s also worth pointing out the variety of outdoor spaces: The open space by the pool, the smaller spaces under the balcony and low roof, and the sheltered outdoor kitchen at the end of the driveway.
Here’s how to turn the outdoor space into a super comfy lounge
The front of the house helps to make the plan pretty clear, while showing how the windows respond to the exterior. The double-height space, here facing west, is covered in translucent panels to cut down on direct sunlight in the afternoon and provide some privacy. For reference, the brick-covered volume below the metal panels on the left houses the garage.
The plan is basically H-shaped, with the double-height space occupying the crossbar and other spaces on the sides. It is based on a traditional Hindu nine-square grid, with the double-height space in the middle, theoretically connected to the eight other squares. The plan does not rigidly follow the grid; some of the smaller squares are allotted to outdoor space (both in the front and the back), and the central space – defined by curved concrete walls – is used as a means of energy flow through the house.
The plan is basically H-shaped, with the double-height space occupying the crossbar and other spaces on the sides. It is based on a traditional Hindu nine-square grid, with the double-height space in the middle, theoretically connected to the eight other squares. The plan does not rigidly follow the grid; some of the smaller squares are allotted to outdoor space (both in the front and the back), and the central space – defined by curved concrete walls – is used as a means of energy flow through the house.
Walking through the front door, one is immediately within the double-height space, looking east toward the backyard. The concrete walls define the sides, but only up to waist height upstairs; space flows from the centre to the rooms on the side. Through the concrete wall in the distance are the kitchen and family room.
Wondering what to do with a double height living room?
Wondering what to do with a double height living room?
Looking to the west and the front door, we can see the bridge that connects the two legs of the "H" across the central space. The bridge's placement means also that one enters into a more compact space, making a subtle transition from the entrance to the great room.
Some partial-height translucent panels help to set off the walkway under the bridge from the rest of the great room. The visual terminus of this axis, looking toward the stair we saw through the large wall of clear glass on the front of the house, is a small side yard.
The double-height wall of glass at the stair may not make sense when seen from the street (putting the residents ascending and descending on display), but from the inside it makes more sense. The view of the tree is very important, a fact reiterated by the extension of the concrete wall in the grass that is pointing to it. Just as with the glass facing the backyard and the side-yard view in the previous photo, connection to nature is a major part of the design.
See how a tree grows through this Banglore home
See how a tree grows through this Banglore home
So far we've walked through the front door, looked around the impressive great room and walked toward and up the stair via the walkway under the bridge. Now up on the bridge, the appealing aspects of the modern design come to the fore.
The translucent panels provide a soft light that heightens the experience of walking from one side (the master suite, behind us) to the other (two bedrooms and a game room). Next to the guardrail in the distance is a spiral stair, another means of moving up and down besides the stair at the front of the house.
The translucent panels provide a soft light that heightens the experience of walking from one side (the master suite, behind us) to the other (two bedrooms and a game room). Next to the guardrail in the distance is a spiral stair, another means of moving up and down besides the stair at the front of the house.
More translucence is found in one wall bordering the central space, where frosted glass panels overlap the concrete wall. On the other side is a hallway leading to the master suite; the concrete is a base, and the glass panels are a backdrop, for what Intexure calls a Ganesh gallery.
These Indian statues are given prominence on the private side of the house, but their blurred image is visible in the more public central space.
Want to have a puja room at home? Here’s how to build one
These Indian statues are given prominence on the private side of the house, but their blurred image is visible in the more public central space.
Want to have a puja room at home? Here’s how to build one
For the most part the interiors are simple, allowing the furnishings and heritage pieces to come to the fore. And as in this view of the master bedroom, the outdoors is always considered. South light and cross ventilation happens above the bed, and the east-facing balcony allows one to step outside immediately after waking up.
Looking for vastu tips for your bedroom?
Looking for vastu tips for your bedroom?
Elsewhere in the house are devotional shrine niches, such as in this study. A base cabinet in the millwork on the right opens to reveal important mementos.
A window out of frame on the right (similar to the one looking out to the side yard space at the end of the hallway seen earlier) gives balance to the shrine. Also, double doors provide access to the backyard underneath the master bedroom balcony.
A window out of frame on the right (similar to the one looking out to the side yard space at the end of the hallway seen earlier) gives balance to the shrine. Also, double doors provide access to the backyard underneath the master bedroom balcony.
The outdoor areas are set up to be an extension of the inside, in terms of the nine-square grid and spiritual aspects. Intexure’s design provides some flexibility regarding what the family can do and where they can do it.
The modern design serves to create a simple and calm backdrop for the three generations under one roof – and to highlight the trees and the sky.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: A Surat Flat Celebrates Traditional Indian Elements
Tell us:
What did you like the most about this home? Tell us in the Comments below.
The modern design serves to create a simple and calm backdrop for the three generations under one roof – and to highlight the trees and the sky.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: A Surat Flat Celebrates Traditional Indian Elements
Tell us:
What did you like the most about this home? Tell us in the Comments below.
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