DA studios has introduced ‘RH23’, a constructivist house located in hyderabad, india. through their design, the architects explain their concept; the house as architecture is not just its walls, volumes, not the mere imposing form of exposed concrete. on the contrary, it is a powerful presence which aknowledges the weight of the life it protects, yet it does that effortlessly. 

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in the twilight, northern view

all images courtesy of DA studios

 

 

starting from the exterior, the very first layer of the building by DA studios provides a sense of massive presence, with the 6 sentry-like thick walls being visible from the street. these walls establish an engagement point with all visitors and passersby. the interesting perspective of the building begins right at the property line. through the oblique presence it shifts along with its heavy planes from their perpendicularity to parallelity, as the viewer moves along the band of drive way, to eventually stand right in front of the building.

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sentry planes

 

 

the built tectonics show clear layering of spaces one after the other, laid in parallel to create a controlled spatial experience. these planes are constructed in an orthographic manner to create public, semi-private/public, and private spaces within the house – both transversely and longitudinally. in this manner, the connections between these different areas start from the very outside, to the in-between, to the inside, to the inner most, like a series narrowing down at every stage.

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north facade

 

 

meanwhile, the spatial character in the volumes plays a different significance, when viewed as a whole. the formation starts with vast openness on the outside, proceeds to a more controlled openness, to a double heighted volume, to a more closed environment, a metaphorical isolation for oneself. the experience within the house is dynamic, and changes constantly, even if one finds the building static and stable from the outside. the constructivist style of both thought and art translated into the design is apparent. in order to create the right tectonics, the specific style was sought as it has the tendency to bring out the strength and the weight carried to their best capacities.

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planes – volumes – transparency, view from the front garden to the formal living

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teal room, sleeping chamber

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formal dining, overlooking the kitchen garden and patio

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formal kitchen+breakfast overlooking the lush kitchen gardens and away from the street sounds

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walnut room, guest sleeping chambers

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a line of movement, wide and imposing hallway, leading to all the spaces around

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anchor room, master chambers, a set of rooms holding and anchoring the house and its house hold together

 

 

 

project info:

name: RH23 – a constructivist house
architecture office: DA studios
design team: chaitanya d k (chief architect), kasi raju av, subhash gsk, harshini reddy

 

 

 

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: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom