House of Sailing Planes, Rajkot

This rectilinear plot residence, surrounded by residential plots on three sides with west front street, is situated in a small town, Jetpur in Rajkot District. Thriving for business in textiles and trade in exports, this town has more of a growing settlement, setting the architects up with a unique challenge of creating an appealing and contemporary architecture that stands out entirely.

The client’s brief was simply stated with requirement of 5bhk house in such a tight plot. With the limitation of light source from just one side, this triggered to a desire to create an abode that flourished green with internal courtyard and double height volumes with striking patterns dancing on the walls throughout day. Other than being the only light source for internal bedrooms, it also flourishes green into the house with a cosy and private tea time space with uninterrupted privacy. This meant we had spaces private and a family together to flourish and boom under an open plan spaces at the ground floor. We expanded spaces to pair with open areas to amplify this sense of freedom and luxury creating diverse experiences in a tight enclosed canvas. The ample natural light together with the generous dotting of green make it a soothing and uplifting space. All the more it was quite challenging to integrate a double height courtyard in the residence, as a source of natural light and air, along with it being a cohesive family space. Vastu shashtra compliance being the client’s primary insistence, all the services had to be placed on the front side eventually complicating the visual and experimental connections that an architect’s desires to achieve.

IKS Architects endeavoured the volumes of floating frame and triangular mass for creating diverse experiences and dramas within its physical form. With the idea of minimalistic approach, architecture was purely influenced by honesty of materiality typified by geometrical shapes, bare natural materials, playful colours and textures and a serene experience. The entrance gate is a box entry with metal grill giving it a contemporary timeless look. The seven feet cantilever porch in the front and the protruding triangular mass gives a striking effect to the facade. The floating deck/porch stands on a metal girder equally counter supporting from the inside catches the eyes of every passerby; supported by metal I section girder and cladded with HPL sheet. The distinct triangular mass is a tray for planter extending the bathroom of master bedroom, cladded with red agra stone. Facade is surfed with semi circle shaped plaster treated with rustic textures. Canopy audaciously cantilevers outwards from the main building, complementing the large volume created by the notional canopy. Pergolas cast attractive shadows, the changing sciography providing interest. The contemporary design is dominated by no-fuss straight lines, the carefully premeditated juxtaposition of the different materials with their characteristic colors creating a complex geometry.

The internal courtyard is filled with lush green vegetation typical to the tropical climate. The intensity of light is controlled via a designed metal grill protecting the house from intruders, which also creates an interesting play of shadows on the wall. Natural light and cross ventilation continuously flourishes the entire space throughout the day. The artistic double height wall inspired by raza paintings with wooden ceiling gives awe factor to the entire double height dining space. The metal girder stair with cantilever wooden tread with floored tile gives light feel to the tight space making dining space the most interesting character.

Interior’s approach – With a gist of green at far end sight a simple entrance with an enclosed wooden carved puja space, there’s an open plan layout of public area on the ground floor. As one enters through the main door a lavish living room with timeless interiors welcomes with the courtyard sight at the end.

The first thing that catches the eyes in the living room is a artistic barrier of t.v. unit that divides dining with living, yet just visually. Grey Italian marble paints whole canvas with a contemporary touch with eclectic/impeccable designs of TV. unit. A blue sofa is cheered with brass centre table with a traditional touch rug matched with the stucco plaster of the living room back wall. Minimal approach of sofa and play of textures, colours & light showered double height wall surprises with its artistic geometry. Courtyard at the end is only light source for the parents’ bedroom which, according to their personality is sober with a chic marble cladded on the back wall.

Kitchen and wash room tucked in the corner with a corner window monitoring the entrance is a corner in beige with statuario white platform. Kitchen has a neutral palette with modular furniture and classy bar chairs with wooden hanging lights. The multifunctional floor space has twists and turns with eye catching elements at every corner. The living wall is painted with stucco texture with a frame highlighting a painting. The bedrooms on the upper floors define a private space with two light source and minimal interiors. The bedroom area features a modern bed with a rich, fabric headboard and a stark black accent wall behind. The chic bedroom also features a lounge area, which perhaps is its most interesting feature. With a view of the lush outdoors beyond, this is the ideal space to kick back and relax after a long day. Splashes of invigorating blue are seen in the room through the headboard and upholstered sofa.Two Master bedrooms are decorated with white and blues giving a calm view at every sight. Both rooms have a special sitting luxurious corner with veneer embedded decor to have a classy look. Cupboards are detailed with v beading Patti and textures on doors. Bathrooms are cladded with special handmade tiles in green and grey shades.

Each bedroom has a special space for leisure. The repetition of stucco textures with different colours gives harmony to different furniture and functions. Fabrics of headboards are imitated with overall decor of the room. A special veneer faced sitting deck has been crafted near full height windows visually connecting the drama of natural stone cladded in the courtyard. Flawless carpentry adds up the details to shine at every junction. Living and dining are dominated with pastels, while each bedroom has reigning colours matched with the personalities. The son’s master bedroom are touched with theme of white and blue hues, parents room with beige and evergreen marble cladding and the guest rooms with mix of colours with textures. A colour palette of white, blues, wooden, grey brings a sense of calm the space. Lavish bedrooms and vanity corners bring one of a kind space to the bedrooms.

The panache aesthetics and impeccable designs give this house its signature style.