Bhuta Mansion Case Study

A family is the best-knit yet the most diverse social unit. What exactly makes a family? It's the bag of feelings that lie beneath the surface of everyday activities. It is everyone wanting different things to eat but still ending up on the one dining table and eating together. It is when the oldest grandpa and the toddler grandson sit and paint together. A family grows, evolves and adapts inspite of the varying interest of its members.

This house, designed for the Bhutas, speak to each one of them in the family. Every space is dedicated to their interests and way of living. Designed upon two plots with a challenge of aligning to an existing house in the plot, the planning follows a meticulous hierarchy governed by the needs of the clients. The spaces travel from formal social (meeting areas), family social (Living & Dining Areas) to private (Bedrooms) and intimate (Bed & Study alcoves) with thoughtfully separated yet connected Servant & Utility spaces.

On entering it is impossible for one to imagine the grand spatiality that follows further. The 'Social Mask' as we call it, doesn't reveal the entirety of the house to a stranger (/messenger) and creates an unsaid restriction for outsiders.

Designed keeping in mind the preferences of 3-generations, the house is an intelligent compartmentalization of lifestyles that caters to all. This is a family of avid readers, music and travel lovers, health conscious, and party loving people. Worked out in levels, the functional planning embrace all their needs. The elevated plinth with a vast lush landscape seizes your attention from any corner in the house. The integrated courtyards allow each individual space interaction with the natural beauty around at all floors.

The sunken plaza with the amphitheatre opening into the lawns is the heart of all parties and get-to-gathers for the family. While the pool in the diagonally opposite corner retains its private sanctity for serene hours of the night. The house, thus, is space sensitive along with being climatically sensitive that maintains privacy and is welcoming & inviting at the same time.

The 'Bhuta House' is an appropriate spatial translation of the family, their interests & values and the evolving needs of each generation. The design attempted to be relevant at each nook & corner to the family needs and yet brings out elements of surprises and joy. With a continuous dialogue with nature, it is a composition of beauty and function.