Delhi Houzz: Uber-Minimalism Is the Mainstay of This Cuboid House
Designed by Architecture Discipline, this home is defined by unconventional design & decor in maximalist Delhi
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five
Location: New Delhi
Year built: 2019
Size: 557 square metres (6000 square feet); 5 bedrooms
Architect and interior designer: Akshat Bhatt, Principal Architect, Architecture Discipline
Photos by: Jeetin Sharma
The design brief for the multi-generational family of five focused on building a house “with a strong sense of its collective roots and history, while catering to present-day as well as future requirements”. The result was a contemporary, minimalist residence whose architecture allows complete freedom of customisation while imbuing it with the character that makes a house a home. According to Akshat Bhatt, principal architect of Architecture Discipline, “The idea was to create spaces that would cater to the present needs of the family, but also stay relevant a couple of decades from today.”
The house comprises three levels (basement, ground and first) separating private and semi-private areas, enabling residents to follow their distinct lifestyles, yet remain unified in spirit. The minimalism, both in design and decor, is relieved from starkness by the ample of use of glass, which floods the home with swathes of light, and wood that imbues the home with large doses of warmth.
Who lives here: A family of five
Location: New Delhi
Year built: 2019
Size: 557 square metres (6000 square feet); 5 bedrooms
Architect and interior designer: Akshat Bhatt, Principal Architect, Architecture Discipline
Photos by: Jeetin Sharma
The design brief for the multi-generational family of five focused on building a house “with a strong sense of its collective roots and history, while catering to present-day as well as future requirements”. The result was a contemporary, minimalist residence whose architecture allows complete freedom of customisation while imbuing it with the character that makes a house a home. According to Akshat Bhatt, principal architect of Architecture Discipline, “The idea was to create spaces that would cater to the present needs of the family, but also stay relevant a couple of decades from today.”
The house comprises three levels (basement, ground and first) separating private and semi-private areas, enabling residents to follow their distinct lifestyles, yet remain unified in spirit. The minimalism, both in design and decor, is relieved from starkness by the ample of use of glass, which floods the home with swathes of light, and wood that imbues the home with large doses of warmth.
Set in rolling greens, the 6-metre-tall façade is engineered to allow reverse ventilation and uses timber panels and glass grids to define its cuboid geometry. Bhatt explains, “Timber ages gracefully and can be easily replaced. Moreover, it doesn’t radiate heat either, so the building is thermally inert in its surroundings.”
The landscape includes recreational lawns and children’s play areas (not seen) that are kept minimal so that they allow the building to become the centrepiece of the design scheme.
The ground floor comprises formal and informal living rooms, a kitchen and a relaxed dining space, in addition to three bedrooms.
Living room sofas: Ahuja Furnishers
Living room sofas: Ahuja Furnishers
At the entrance on the ground floor is a double-height formal living room where the ceiling height rises to an unexpected 20 feet, taking guests by surprise as they walk in through the doorway.
Tucked in the corner of the living room is a Pierre Chareau-inspired spiral staircase that connects the ground floor to the first floor and to the basement (which houses the recreational zone and a cellar). The stunning staircase in blue metal wrapping is a study in the juxtaposition of dynamism and delicacy in design.
Browse through more pictures of beautiful staircases on Houzz
Browse through more pictures of beautiful staircases on Houzz
The formal living room extends to seat more people on clean-lined furniture upholstered in a neutral grey. The sombre colour palette is energised by the intermittent use of aquamarine finishes. Solid timber cubes stand in for coffee tables.
Find an interior designer on the Houzz professionals pages
Find an interior designer on the Houzz professionals pages
A casual dining area sits on the other end of the living room. An oblong table paired with round stools makes for a cosy corner for family meals. Low storage racks running the length of the wall and within easy reach are presumably meant for the young of the house. Commenting on the singular roof, Bhatt says, “The high-pitched roof with large skylights reduces the need for artificial lighting.”
Discover how atriums can inspire calm and breezy living
Discover how atriums can inspire calm and breezy living
The informal sitting area abuts the family dining space. Dressed in pale pinks and powder blues, it is awash in light streaming in from full-length windows.
“The corridors of the residence are characterised by white paint and wooden boards. Natural light introduced through skylights and strategically placed windows amplify the transition in the house,” Bhatt explains.
This particular corridor that keeps the overall neutral and wooden palette intact, leads to the three bedrooms on the ground floor, each of which draws inspiration from the users’ interests.
This particular corridor that keeps the overall neutral and wooden palette intact, leads to the three bedrooms on the ground floor, each of which draws inspiration from the users’ interests.
The bedrooms retain the simplistic feel of the house. Dressed in muted shades, they are spacious and classic, each moulded to suit the resident’s lifestyle.
Bedroom furnishings: Tulips
Bedroom furnishings: Tulips
The formal dining room located on the first floor overlooks the front lawn outdoors and the living rooms indoors. Parquet flooring elaborately crafted in three tones, complemented with black metallic accents from cylindrical columns, characterises this space.
The large dining table in polished wood can accommodate up to 40 people and is flanked by an assortment of mismatched chairs, one of the few concessions to colour and form.
Dining table and chairs: Ahuja Furnishers
Read more:
Houzz Tour: A Young Couple’s Minimalistic, Memorabilia-Filled Home
Gurgaon Houzz: Wooden Accents & Minimalist Decor Define This Home
Tell us:
Do you like the minimalism of this house? Share your thoughts in Comments below.
Dining table and chairs: Ahuja Furnishers
Read more:
Houzz Tour: A Young Couple’s Minimalistic, Memorabilia-Filled Home
Gurgaon Houzz: Wooden Accents & Minimalist Decor Define This Home
Tell us:
Do you like the minimalism of this house? Share your thoughts in Comments below.
