H-CUBE HOUSE >

Adajan, Surat, Gujarat

Plot Area: 1,200 sq ft

Built-up Area: 2,400 sq ft
Project Timeline: 2016 – 2017
Project Cost: 4,000 per sq ft

Designed by Studio Lagom architects and sited in the city of

Surat, Gujarat, the house, with its modern and contemporary

stance, rests saliently in its nondescript urban context with

its arresting details and conspicuous design.

Sited on a 35’X35’ corner property in the densely-populated

city, it is abutted by access roads on the west and south

side. The major challenge was the compact nature of

the site along with a lack of a primary axis, that usually

defines the spatial integrity of a space.

STUDIO LAGOM, SURAT

Principal Architect:
Hardik Shah

Project Team:
Anisha Jariwala, Nishant Gandhi, Vivek Nayani, Raj Prajapati,
Sweta Gajiwala, Doriwala, Kruti Sheta-Patel
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The conceptualization of this residence design

commenced with a site-spatial zoning exercise

After leaving adequate setbacks, a 25’ X25’ footprint

within the plot was allocated for the building. This

box was further divided into vertical grids spaced

at 10’, 5’ and 10’ respectively. The 5’ X 25’ rectangle

which rests in the middle, was established as the

primary entrance to the residence.

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Above: Water body incorporated in the courtyard adja-

cent to the staircase

Left: Lightwell created with the staircase to puncture

the massive volume of the structure, providing light
and air to an otherwise congested space

Connected to the discrete staircase at the rear portion that

was part of the service area zone, the entrance is nestled

between the wall of the elevated garden block and the

structure. A water body was incorporated in the courtyard

adjacent to the staircase, whilst creating a lightwell to

puncture the massive volume of the structure and provide

light and air to an otherwise congested space. In order to

enhance the functional inquiry of the design, this exercise

was extended vertically and internally.

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Due to its compact footprint, it was perceived as a three

Above: Living area as a semi-public area on the first floor
storey building, with the ground floor allocated to parking,

and the upper two floors serving as living spaces forming
a 25’ X 25’ mass in elevation, reinstating the concept of a
cube which became the dictating notion for the design.
Facing Page - Above & Bottom Right: Master suite on the second
floor. One example of the play of light and shadow in living spac-
es, with subtle muted material palette complimenting the serene
and minimalist ambience

The first-floor seats the living area as a semi-public area

arranged in a C-orientation, with the dining space serving Facing Page - Bottom Left: A three storey building, depicting the
concept of a cube
as the connecting element. The second floor houses the

two bedrooms, one of them being the master suite.

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Master suite on the second floor with a muted material palette

complimenting the serene and minimalist ambience

The protruding cube in the elevation has been cast in exposed concrete, serving as a stand-alone visual identity of the design.

Architecturally, the building is treated as four cubes, which have been altered and re-located to simultaneously achieve aesthetic

and functional stability. The upper floor has been designed around the master bedroom, which emerges as the central defining

Other bedroom on the second floor

theme, escalating the execution of a protuberant cube in the elevation.
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Right: Lightwell, to provide adequate light and air, perforating the built
mass

Facing Page: Louvered fenestrations screened by local plants outside

are incorporated in each of the living spaces in the south west zone

To perforate this mass with adequate light and air, louvered

fenestrations screened by local plants are incorporated in each

of the living spaces in the south west side that is premeditated

to be the major wind direction. Recessed and exposed spot

lights, along with articulate skylights serve as sustainable

daylight strategies to reduce the load on artificial systems.

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Door opening up to the master suite Dining area on first floor, with adjacent kitchen intentionally
on the second floor designed to not be visible from the living area
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Product & Material Applications

Lighting > Hybec

Colour > Asian Paints

Sanitaryware > Duravit

Bath Fittings > Grohe

Furniture > 3A Cube Inc. Design Studio

Furnishing > Atmosphere

Carpets & Rugs > Fabindia

Hardware > Blum

Ply > Century

Veneer > Timex

Laminates > Greenlam

Stone > Kadappa

Air Conditioning > Mitsubishi

Key Contributors

Structural Design > Hitesh Rathi (Rathi

Consortium)

Civil Contractor > Nital Shah

Landscape > Roots Design

Photography Credits

Photographix | Sebastian + Ira

Enabling the client brief together with architectural with form and spaces. This triple-storey design filters this

investigation, the challenges of a compact site and a crowded residence from urban chaos to a peaceful seclusion without

neighborhood have been explored as opportunities to juggle compromising on visual linkages and connection.