7,024 Exterior Design Ideas

When purchased by a young couple with a growing family, this historic home was fully gutted, and ready to be transformed for modern living within a traditional footprint. The remaining original details such as the three-story curved wood staircase and stone fireplace surrounds were brought back to life and highlight the updated design. Previously hidden attic windows were exposed when vaulting the third-floor ceilings.

Andre J Fanthome

Photographed by Hemant Patil

Nayak House: Contemporary Guest House Nayak House is a highly customized guest house located in Kolkata. The primary architectural challenge for this project was extreme spatial constraint. Built on a compact, urban plot of less than 2 katha, the design required meticulous space planning and structural innovation to maximize the usable footprint without compromising on aesthetics or functionality. As a leading architecture firm in Kolkata, our goal was to prove that limited square footage does not limit design potential. ​The Exterior: Our architectural approach for the exterior was driven by a deep respect for the surrounding neighborhood. Rather than overwhelming the compact site, the facade is intentionally sleek, understated, and minimalist. Utilizing clean geometric lines and a contemporary material palette, the building maintains a quiet, modern dignity that blends seamlessly into the urban fabric of Kolkata. ​The Interior: While the exterior is reserved, the interior design completely flips the narrative. Stepping inside Nayak House is meant to reflect the vibrant energy of the "City of Joy." A bright, dynamic colour palette that instantly makes the compact spaces feel expansive and welcoming. By maximizing natural light penetration and utilizing smart, built-in storage solutions, we created an interior that is as highly functional as it is visually striking. The Result The Nayak House stands as a testament to intelligent residential architecture in West Bengal. It perfectly balances a minimalist architectural shell with a rich, vibrant interior design, delivering a premium guest house experience on a highly restrictive plot