Grey Office project contains a word file with only text and no PDF.

Arhat Villa at New Delhi by Conarch Architects

Located in an upscale Delhi neighbourhood, the project site is a consolidation of two plots designed for families of two brothers for a multigenerational living. The two equal and identical homes are a part of a unified built mass as distinct floor plates with common parking, services, amenities and other co-living areas as opposed to two disjointed structures.
Grey Office project contains a word file with only text and no PDF.

Grey Office project contains a word file with only text and no PDF.

Located in an upscale Delhi neighbourhood, the project site is a consolidation of two plots designed for families of two brothers for a multigenerational living. The two equal and identical homes are a part of a unified built mass as distinct floor plates with common parking, services, amenities and other co-living areas as opposed to two disjointed structures. This early design call allowed for efficient space planning on a compact site and cost-effective resource usage in addition to fostering familial ties.

The challenge of designing for two multigenerational families was compounded by the bigger challenge of securing daylight, views and ventilation in the context of uber high dense East Delhi setting. The three-sided open access of project site to public way has been crucial to the integration of passive strategies with active cooling techniques.

The conical sectional openings (smaller on the exterior and bigger on the interior side)of the glass reinforced cement screen induce air moment for convective cooling while screening the harsh south-west solar exposure. Private spaces within the house are rationalized to meet the end user needs, while the intermingling spaces of the families have a tinge of grandiosity and design emphasis to reflect the culture of collectivism over individualism.

Living areas are strategically organised for double orientation to maximize natural lighting and ventilation through the house. Off late, the typology of urban semi-detached dwellings such as this stands transformed due to street parking problem. This issue triggered a design move- the architectural articulation of boundary wall to engage the pedestrians and activate the street as opposed to inanimate street view of parking garage.

The simple and function oriented design of the houses provides a backdrop for a quiet family life and reflects a desire for comfort, serenity and peace of mind. Material selection enhances the formal expression of the house, with the stone cladding contrasting palette and textures for its timeless and domestic quality. Detailing and choice of materials were carefully developed to imbue the practical requirements of day-to-day living with an aesthetic sensibility. As inherent in the firm’s practice, this three years long project too embodies the spirit of collaboration amongst occupants, builders and designers, essential to the success of our projects.

Project Facts –
Project Name: Arhat Villa
Principal Architect: S K Goel
Name of Firm: Concarch Architects
Cateogary: Large Residential Project
Status: Completed
Location: New Delhi

Share your comments

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent

Jaimini Mehta - Architecture and History

“Unless you ask these questions, you will not realise that it is not history but the perception of history that needs to be revisited.”—Jaimini Mehta

The essay is the first of a three-part series of preview essays for Jaimini Mehta’s forthcoming book, Sense of Itihasa; Architecture and History in Modern India.
The book analyses the works of several contemporary, post-independence Indian architects to demonstrate that since independence, they have revitalized traditional architectural elements and techniques, drawing inspiration from India’s itihasa.

Read More »
Social Media and Architecture. @ArchitectureLive! (Image is AI generated)

“Social media has pulled back the curtain, democratizing the discourse and, more importantly, the architect’s image.” —Athulya Aby

Athulya Aby writes about how social media has transformed architecture, making it accessible to the masses. While it offers opportunities for inclusivity and innovation, it also poses risks of superficiality and prioritizing aesthetics over function. The future lies in balancing online presence with real-world impact, according to Athulya.

Read More »
House near Manchar, Sahyadri, Maharashtra, by Shoonya Collaborative. Photo Courtesy of Shoonya Collaborative

House near Manchar, Maharashtra, by Shoonya Collaborative

The adobe house near Manchar, Maharashtra, designed by Shoonya Collaborative, perched on a Sahyadri plateau, offers views of agricultural fields and a winding river. Inspired by local vernacular architecture and the client’s memories, the design incorporates repurposed materials and traditional techniques.

Read More »

Featured Publications

We Are Hiring