a series of concrete and brick arches sculpts residence in india

D.L.E.A builds ‘Archiabode – House of Arches’ in india

In a quiet and less populated suburban area in Chennai, India, multidisciplinary design firm D.L.E.A has completed ‘House of Arches‘. Sitting on a corner plot, the final structure uses semicircular arches and different textures that flow within the house to create a feeling of seamless cohesion between the exterior and interior spaces.

Thus, taking shape as a series of pop-up brick and concrete volumes pierced by different scales of arcs, the structure forms a visual dialogue between the spaces, all the while letting green vistas spill over inside. This formation of different masses offers the project a playful touch, shaping a sense of various levels and terraces.

corner view – showing north and east facade

all images by Triple-O-Pixel

a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor 

The brief was to design a 1 BHK (bedroom, hall, kitchen) rental facility including a car area on the ground floor; and 3 BHK flats with large balconies for the first and second floors. For this project, the team positioned the shared places where the family members can interact and spend time together on the north and east sides. By doing so, maximum daylight tackles the habitable spaces while screening the hot rays. Instead, toilets and service areas were arranged south and west. 

As for the exterior, the material palette is pared back mainly to concrete and brick. The architects applied simple gestures to raw materials in order to provide an overall earthy expression that connects the house with its lush surroundings. In an attempt to blur the boundaries between in and out, they opted for the same materials to complete the interior spaces. However, as a relief to the greys and browns, the architects added custom-made yellow and grey encaustic tiles bringing vivid pops inside. The yellow oxide clads the staircase flooring and simultaneously serves as a decorating element for the living room.
north side – front facade

arched elements integrate the structure holistically

In order to expand the space visually, the building line was stretched until the compound wall. Thus, the northern façade is shaped by three staggered volumes. The outermost consists of an exterior staircase providing access to the client’s duplex house. Meanwhile, its roof houses a terrace garden accessible from their informal living space. By using a series of proportionate arches, and a series of smaller arches punctured into the staircase backdrop wall on the eastern façade, the design team sought to integrate the structure holistically. 

The negative pockets that cropped up in the planning of tight spaces, were consciously integrated with the landscape and the building. The northeast corner area was transformed into the main garden while the north volume with the exterior staircase became the entrance. Meanwhile, terraces and balconies bring green pops to the otherwise muted building.
pedestrian entry – series of arches

front entrance landscape

yellow staircase with windows and handrail

exterior staircase with black granite top

entrance landscape

unfolded north and east facade – illustration

project info:

name: Archiabode – House of Arches
designer: D.L.E.A (Design Lab for Experimenting Architecture)

design team: Ar. G. Dhayananth, Ar. Galton Rinaldi, Mr. Chandrasekar, Ar. Sakthi Abilasha

contractor: Mr. Balakrishnan

built up area: 3200 ft² (297,3 sqm)

location: Chennai, India

year: 2021  

photography: Triple-O-Pixel

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. See more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina petridou | designboom