jutting planes & projecting volumes form the 'RH21' residential complex in india

within the city of hyderabad in india, the ‘RH21’ residential complex by DA studios adopts the shape of a crystalline formation. jutting planes, projecting volumes, and piercing lines give way to the distinct structure, which seems both ‘unnatural, and all too natural’ amid the dense urban surroundings.

all images by sameer chawda

‘RH21’ by DA studios sculpts and presents itself within the uncompromisingly packed neighborhood. the building takes the shape of a glacier, to establish a dynamic, structured presence in the area. it emerges distinctively, with protrusions, recessions, and seemingly erratic striations, thus creating an interesting and unexpected play of perspective and volumetry. 

before construction, the site was barren, leaving the new architecture to react honestly to the surroundings. DA studios designed a building that responds to not just the cultural and functional requirements set by the client, but also to the spatial context, by shifting, forcing, and moving each plane, room, and volume of the entire structure.

south-east view

to bring in both light and air into a closely packed and fortressed exterior devoid of openings, the architects have compensated with multilevel staggered courtyards and large planar parametric screens. formed to contrast with the concrete that is used as the main material, the screen becomes the immediate prominent feature of the project and serves as a symbol, highlighting the unexpected presence of the ‘RH21’.

project info:

name: RH21
architecture office: DA studios
chief architect: chaitanya D K
design team: pradeepthi I S, rahul ramini, vinaya kumar G, subhash GSK, arun
interior design: aamir and hameeda
landscape design: naveen associates

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