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Srijit Srinivas's Clever Solution in Using Limited Land To Become a Functional Brick House

Anabata Media · June 14th, 2022
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India is one of the most densely populated countries in Asia, therefore houses in India are known to have narrow land due to the dense population. This happened to a couple of clients who work as IT engineers, they told architect Srijit Srinivas about the existing condition of his small plot of land in Thiruvananthapuram. With a land area of 283 square meters, the architect had the challenge of designing a building with an area of 117 square meters, where the site location is elongated and has a descending land contour. With limited land, it becomes a new challenge for architects to take into account spatial planning and processing so that they are appropriate to the functions and needs of the occupants. 

Srijit Srinivas Clever Solution in Using Limited Land To Become a Functional Brick HouseBuilding with brick material on a small land.

On the ground floor, there is a living room, dining room, and kitchen area adjacent to the bedroom. The first floor accommodates a master bedroom with a balcony and walk-in wardrobe, a living room for clients that also functions as a mridangam (percussion instrument) classroom, an additional bedroom, and a wardrobe, which also functions as a study area. This house does not have a carport or garage due to limited land, but there is an alternative, namely providing access from inside the house to the car at the front door. 


Srijit Srinivas Clever Solution in Using Limited Land To Become a Functional Brick HouseCombination of brick material with natural colors.

Although this building is narrow, it does not become an obstacle to air circulation and solar lightning. With sloping land contours in the area behind the site, the building adapts to lowering the floor elevation in the kitchen and bedroom areas, this solution can optimize the building's foundation budget cuts. 


Srijit Srinivas Clever Solution in Using Limited Land To Become a Functional Brick HouseThe dining room area that remains open with a minimalist partition.

Utilization of the vertical form of the building into 2 floors is a solution to managing thoughts about narrow building. The dining area on the ground floor has a high ceiling that penetrates the floor above it so that it functions as a void, and it can provide a visual experience for the whole building. 


Srijit Srinivas Clever Solution in Using Limited Land To Become a Functional Brick HouseApplication of floor elevation to adjust the building to the contours of the ground.

When entering the interior of the house, residents are immediately greeted by the inner garden which is illuminated by natural light from the skylights. This can provide a distinct visual experience between the living room and dining room that are connected into one. And there is a minimalist staircase with exposed concrete material pointing upwards around a green area, becoming a visual attraction through the contours of the steps. Interior design elements such as wardrobes, shelves, fenestration, etc. are formed in a minimalist manner but can display the expression of the atmosphere in the room. 


Srijit Srinivas Clever Solution in Using Limited Land To Become a Functional Brick HouseThe continuous room gives a broad visual impression.

The placement of the room is also well planned even though it has a narrow space to sleep but is integrated with the study room and wardrobe. The upstairs living room has skylights mounted on the roof to give the space a warm character. The master bedroom above has a balcony while still providing privacy, breezes, refreshing light interactions, and shade throughout the day. 

This house represents that the design of a room that is functional to the user’s space requirements is important, even though the location is limited. Through careful planning and keeping in mind circulation, natural light, and humans to support life. 


Srijit Srinivas Clever Solution in Using Limited Land To Become a Functional Brick HouseDominated by brick material that covers the entire wall.

Srijit Srinivas Clever Solution in Using Limited Land To Become a Functional Brick House
Air circulation and light enter the room with a brick pattern.

Srijit Srinivas Clever Solution in Using Limited Land To Become a Functional Brick House
Ground floor and first-floor plans.

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Architecture · Future ·