Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Kochi Biennale Curator's Home Speaks to Its Neighbours
Anagram Architects design a unique studio-cum-residence for Anita Dube, the curator of Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2018
When Vaibhav Dimri and Madhav Raman of Anagram Architects designed this workspace-cum-residence for Anita Dube, a prolific contemporary artist who is slated to be the first-ever woman to curate the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, they conceived a multifaceted building that would serve as a space for the creation of art, and simultaneously act as a canvas for expression by itself. “The studio was envisioned not as the typical introverted artist’s ‘cave’ but rather an extroverted residency where the creation of art and the living of the artist are shared with her precinct,” says Madhav Raman.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Anita Dube, an art historian and critic
Location: Kaladham, in Greater Noida, NCR
Year built: 2016
Size: 280 square metres (3013 square feet); 2 bedrooms; 1 bathroom
Architects: Anagram Architects
Photographs by Suryan//Dang
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Anita Dube, an art historian and critic
Location: Kaladham, in Greater Noida, NCR
Year built: 2016
Size: 280 square metres (3013 square feet); 2 bedrooms; 1 bathroom
Architects: Anagram Architects
Photographs by Suryan//Dang
Located in Kaladham, an exclusive community for artists in Greater Noida, the building is set on a 280-square-metre trapezoidal piece of land, one of the 216 plots that make up the octagonal grid.
From the entrance one moves into the studio, which is spread over the ground-floor and basement levels. A barrier-free open-plan layout offers multiple zones for working, viewing and contemplation.
“Inviting an immersive experience of art, the studio comprises rugged, large-volume workspaces,” Dimri says.
“Inviting an immersive experience of art, the studio comprises rugged, large-volume workspaces,” Dimri says.
Distressed concrete and ceramic mosaic are the primary materials used, which seamlessly flow through the floors, walls and ceilings across the different levels in the house.
Read more about materials in modern architecture
Read more about materials in modern architecture
At either end, steel is used across the gallery, scaffoldings and circulation spaces.
The architectural design also helps maintain comfortable temperatures indoors. The studio faces the southwest, so that there’s sufficient light and heat during the winter months. The thick floors and walls act as a barrier to heat entering or leaving the building, keeping the interiors cool all summer and warm in winter.
The architectural design also helps maintain comfortable temperatures indoors. The studio faces the southwest, so that there’s sufficient light and heat during the winter months. The thick floors and walls act as a barrier to heat entering or leaving the building, keeping the interiors cool all summer and warm in winter.
One side of the studio facade is designed with swivelling panels, allowing for fluid interaction between the interior and exterior spaces. The rotating panels can be turned to display artwork outside, a way for the artist to interact with the public. These panels additionally double as louvres that allow in the breeze while protecting the interiors from direct sunlight.
See more contemporary facades
See more contemporary facades
The workspace extends onto the mezzanine level, which has a study from where one can look down on the large, double-height ground-floor studio.
“In this way, the design offers multiple views and varying perspectives through a multilevel space.” Raman says. The large volumes of spaces also allow thermal stacking of air, a phenomenon that facilitates easy air movement and natural ventilation. The vertical slits that run through the building allow hot air to escape.
Lighting: Vizion Lighting
Look at ways to treat double-height spaces
“In this way, the design offers multiple views and varying perspectives through a multilevel space.” Raman says. The large volumes of spaces also allow thermal stacking of air, a phenomenon that facilitates easy air movement and natural ventilation. The vertical slits that run through the building allow hot air to escape.
Lighting: Vizion Lighting
Look at ways to treat double-height spaces
The various levels in the home also act as a discreet way to separate the public, semi-public and private areas.
“Spaces are created as an unravelling rather than as a construction, revealing as much as concealing,” says Dimri. While the workspaces and domestic staff’s wings are located at the lower levels, the main living quarters are tucked away on the first floor.
“Spaces are created as an unravelling rather than as a construction, revealing as much as concealing,” says Dimri. While the workspaces and domestic staff’s wings are located at the lower levels, the main living quarters are tucked away on the first floor.
The residential quarters are designed to provide basic facilities for short stays by artists The common living and dining area is subtly furnished with a selection of wooden furniture that complements the modernist theme of the house.
The upper level also includes two bedrooms that are designed around a large terrace space.
These areas are also minimally furnished, adding to the sense of openness. Colourful soft furnishings liven up the neutral wall finishes and surfaces.
These areas are also minimally furnished, adding to the sense of openness. Colourful soft furnishings liven up the neutral wall finishes and surfaces.
The blank expanses on the exterior facade are used to screen films, turning the sloping front lawn into a venue for talks and events. This way, the building connects with the urban community within which it is located.
“The outward expression and mediated privacies are incorporated in the hope that they will promote close-knit social networks in the growing peri-urban community.” Raman says.
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Tell us:
What did you think of this home? Let us know in Comments below.
“The outward expression and mediated privacies are incorporated in the hope that they will promote close-knit social networks in the growing peri-urban community.” Raman says.
See more homes:
Houzz Tour: This Mysore Home is a Unique Exploration in Brickwork
Ahmedabad Houzz: Bespoke Interiors Celebrate Contemporary Indian Design
Tell us:
What did you think of this home? Let us know in Comments below.
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