Architectural Cases

A Victorian terrace house in London has undergone a remarkable transformation, spearheaded by the local architectural firm, TYPE. The project meticulously integrated a palette of tactile and warm materials, including pale brick, clay-fired tiles, and ash carpentry, to create a dwelling that exudes sensory richness and comfort. This thoughtful expansion caters to a young family's needs, introducing a spacious kitchen and dining zone on the ground floor, alongside an extra bedroom and a dedicated home office within the newly converted attic.

The architects at TYPE embarked on this renovation with a clear vision: to infuse the interiors with profound sensory depth. Their approach was rooted in a natural and tactile material selection, meticulously chosen to complement the existing 19th-century edifice. This careful consideration resulted in a design where every element, from the touch of surfaces to acoustic properties, lighting, and even subtle scents, contributes to a holistic and human-centric living experience. The studio emphasized that no single component dominates; instead, a series of subtle yet impactful interventions collectively redefine daily life within the residence. The material choices, while contemporary, deliberately echo the original construction's use of clay and timber, which are prominently featured throughout the new extensions and refurbished areas.

On the ground floor, a previously cramped and dimly lit galley kitchen has been significantly enlarged, now accommodating a generous dining area bathed in natural light from an elongated timber-framed skylight. A full-height pivot glass door seamlessly connects this vibrant space to the garden, extending the internal paved flooring outwards to form a cohesive patio. Adjacent to this expansive doorway, a frameless corner window protrudes into the garden, offering an intimate connection with the outdoors. This window features an integrated ash bench, mirroring the bespoke carpentry of the kitchen cabinetry and central island, thus maintaining a harmonious material language.

For the exterior of the ground-floor extension, the design ingeniously incorporates two distinct shades of hand-moulded masonry. A lighter white brick defines the lower section, while the upper portion is rendered in a soft pale cream, adding subtle visual interest and depth. This deliberate choice underscores the studio's commitment to craftsmanship, tactility, and creating a sense of warmth. The selection of robust, timeless, and natural materials was paramount, ensuring the home could withstand the rigors of family life while retaining its aesthetic integrity over time.

Ascending to the newly created attic spaces, residents discover walls adorned with ash panelling and integrated storage solutions. The flooring, crafted from cork, ensures optimal acoustic comfort, contributing to a serene environment. Despite the attic's modest dimensions, a series of strategically placed skylights and windows flood the area with light, offering expansive views of the sky and the surrounding cityscape, framed by the gently sloping, white-painted ceilings. The master bedroom, in particular, boasts a large vertical panoramic window that captures breathtaking vistas of London, while a skylight positioned directly above the shower transforms the bathroom into an open-air sanctuary, offering a unique connection to the sky.

The comprehensive overhaul of this Victorian terrace by TYPE studio has resulted in a dwelling that harmoniously blends historical character with contemporary design principles. Through meticulous material selection and thoughtful spatial planning, the project successfully enhanced both the functionality and the sensory experience of the home, creating a dynamic and comfortable living environment tailored for modern family life.

The premier Aranyani Pavilion, known as Sacred Nature, has made its debut in New Delhi, featuring a distinctive curved form adorned with a verdant roof. Conceived by the architectural firm T__M.space, this structure serves as a dedicated venue for engaging in conversations about environmental topics. Positioned within the expansive Sunder Nursery park, this undulating installation, which will be accessible to the public until February 13th, marks the initial project in the yearly Aranyani Pavilion series. This initiative, spearheaded by Aranyani, an organization committed to environmental restoration and artistic endeavors, aims to facilitate dialogues centered on ecological issues.

The pavilion's design by T__M.space purposefully integrates a planted roof that gracefully ascends and descends in a spiraling motion, fostering a profound connection between visitors and the natural world. Guiding individuals through its elegant curves, the structure leads to a central, oval-shaped chamber housing a significant stone. This arrangement is meticulously crafted to evoke the reverence associated with traversing India's sacred groves, where such stone markers carry deep symbolic resonance. The interior lattice structure, a creation of the Indian design practice Ekarth Studio, utilizes Lantana camara, a plant identified as an invasive species in India, contributing to the degradation of the nation's forest ecosystems. The pavilion's roof is meticulously cultivated with over 40 indigenous plant varieties, encompassing those valued for their edibility, medicinal properties, and cultural importance.

Tara Lal, the founder of Aranyani, articulates the pavilion's purpose: to bridge the historical chasm between humanity and nature, a divide exacerbated by colonial legacies. She emphasizes the ambition to ignite both local and international discourse on ecosystem restoration and the revitalization of interconnected relationships. The Sacred Nature pavilion will serve as a vibrant hub for a variety of performances, talks, and workshops during its tenure at Sunder Nursery. Following this period, the pavilion will embark on a permanent relocation to the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls' School in Jaisalmer. Furthermore, the edible and medicinal flora nurtured on its roof will be distributed to community-led environmental programs throughout Delhi, extending its positive impact.