The ‘House by the Park’ is responsive to its environment, flanked by a building to its north, a shady street to its east and a triangulated park to its south with its resident old trees.

The design response on the north cleverly shields the built-up views through a series of angled concrete fins that span 3 floors of the structure, bringing in a quality of soft and diffused east light into the interiors. Contrastingly, the response to the park on the south is completely open and it is the dialogue between the built form and park that changes from space to space. The double height wooden decked south verandah opens up vertically to welcome the tall branches in, while the master bedroom frames another old tree trunk.

One of the most interesting elements is the folded plate Mild steel and wood staircase that flanks the concrete fins, and runs vertically on all 3 levels. Its strategic location to the north was necessary in order to open up the living spaces and bedrooms at each level to unobstructed south views of the Park, while intelligently shielding views to the north. While moving through this spine there are views of the park through square cutouts on each level. Conversely from the living areas the square cutouts frame the staircase and fins like a graphic artwork, almost negating the need of a painting.

The materials used outside were a response to the dense natural vegetation surrounding the house. We wanted to use tactile materials that would be in harmony with nature. The concrete, corten steel, ribbed wood and polished cement all have a textural quality to them, and feel warm when juxtaposed with the surrounding green.The interior shell has large swathes of polished kota stone, ribbed timber on the ceiling and sustainable wood door and window frames through the house.

The carpet area of 8000 sft is spatially organized as follows. The ground floor comprises public spaces like the foyer, informal and formal living rooms, the dining room , Kitchen, a guest bedroom and a generous South Verandah overlooking the park. The first floor has an open family room, the master bedroom and 2 children’s rooms. Finally the second floor has the third children’s room, an entertainment lounge leading to a large open terrace.

The plinth of the house which sits 8ft above the road due to its contoured site is negotiated gently via steps flanked by a series of layered concrete and corten steel walls. The 5-bedroom house on 3 levels orients itself and takes advantage of the views on east and south, and is always in conversation with the surrounding green.