Simplicity may not always be enough to create an assertive effect as well as minimalism and naturalness in space arrangements. We can easily observe that the qualities such as color and form of the materials preferred in simple and assertive space designs largely direct the perception of space. Gomati house, where you can examine the reflections of the modern, minimal and magnificent effect of solid (solid and massive) surfaces on the space, inspires you to create original spaces by using natural materials in their simplest form.
Gomati house is located in Malavli village in Maharashtra, two hours away from Mumbai city. This region receives a high amount of precipitation. The owner of the house, designed by Spasm Architects, set out with the expectation of a place away from the noise of the city and intertwined with nature during the design phase. Many radical strategies were adopted in the architectural construction of the house. In the first stage, it was deemed necessary to demolish the building on the site of the project and reconstruct a new building in its place. When the process started with a typical approach, it could be started with the method of completely clearing the land by demolishing the existing old structure. However, during the demolition phase, it was aimed to follow the most sensitive path without damaging the natural structure. For this reason, the wreckage of the destroyed building was stored as a mound and organized as a key component of the project design. The designed structure not only adapts to the terrain, but also ensures that the slope is seamlessly associated with the landscape. The spatial planning is designed to be the opposite of the house typology in the region. The main reason for this is to provide a strong sloping terrain and landscape setup.
The main entrance and living area are oriented to get the best view from the mature trees in the area. Therefore, the basic living areas are located in the north and on the upper elevations of the sloping land. Although the structure is partially submerged into the mound, it adds plenty of sunlight and nature views to the space. Before the construction of the building, the trees and plants in the courtyard were preserved and participated in the project. In this way, while natural light is taken into the space, shaded and cool areas are created with the effect of natural vegetation. The courtyard, which is specially arranged for the wet areas and the dressing rooms for the pool, is surrounded by a porous mesh that provides natural light and ventilation, while providing protection from pests, while at the same time adding an aesthetic appearance to the space. Concave sleeping areas are designed around the trees on the ground floor, which reflect the coolness and comfort of the earth. All bedrooms of the house are connected to a completely natural courtyard, strengthening the sense of unity and serenity with nature. At either end of the bedrooms is a kitchen arranged around the courtyard that connects the two gardens. The planned two large courtyard gardens connect the two main levels vertically, increasing the feeling of contact with the natural environment, air circulation and natural lighting. The courtyard was surrounded by sliding glass joinery, and a new semi-open space was created in the center of the space with the designed seating area. Located on the upper level, the house includes living and dining areas surrounded by monolithic glass joinery with views from the garden. The open dining area designed on the large terrace at this level opens to a swimming pool that extends into the trees at the end of the garden. The pool is positioned on the upstairs terrace and seems to protrude out of the mound. The large surfaces used in the covering of the pool and the lower floor of the house and the walls rising from the natural landscape increase the feeling of unity and create a simple and dominant effect in the space. Solid surfaces, which stand out throughout the building in these volumes, make the space feel continuity and infinity to a great extent.
It is aimed to experience nature from every aspect by adding environmental climatic conditions to the interior in a visual as well as auditory sense. Changes in light intensity can be intensely noticed in the space, as can the soft or heavy sound of monsoon rains. Minimal style is predominantly preferred in interior design. The use of wooden materials in specially designed brass lighting and all furniture draws attention. Sliding glass joinery creates a transparent, permeable and light effect in the corridors that provide transition between the rooms. In the whole project, the monolithic application of a stone material, which at first glance resembles the lines of the stone layers found in the quarry, reveals a high level of craftsmanship and quality. Locally sourced blue-gray “Kotah” limestones were mainly used because of their naturalness, holistic quality, cost, usability in different forms, and the resistance of the stone to wear, the humid weather conditions affecting this region and the best defense against heavy rain. Impermeable materials such as Kotah stone, which is preferred throughout the space, help to protect the house thanks to its moisture-repellent feature, revealing that both a functional and aesthetic approach guide the design. Kotah limestone stands out for its ease of application, as it is a material that can be roughly cut or polished from solid blocks using water jets and used in many forms. Although it seems monolithic at first glance; Limestones are applied in different places with a detailed craftsmanship with different cutting and application techniques, emphasizing the integrity of minimalism with natural materials.
While bright polished surface is preferred in some places, also detail with a rough textured details are used. The ceilings are covered with panels. In wet areas, white Tip Bhanswara marble preferential simplicity is highlighted. The holistic and bold use of the glass, wood and stone building depicts the magic of integrity and simplicity in the space.
Enough from high school wanting to be good to make a bold and deep impact in spaces like from the project. By adding natural material, taking advantage of a wide camera channel is being in the space with natural light and it will be a transition. Considering the climate and space as the basis of energy will be the most suitable natural material. With the simple and expressive stone, you can get a minimal and rich look in warm spaces from the massive city center.
In fact, it is possible to say that it is the most important element to achieve balance as a theme. If there is a dominant color, pattern or material in a space, using a neutral or plain material to balance it is the ideal solution for creating unique spaces.
The easiest way to achieve balance in the interior is to use solid materials and neutral colors in the basic character of the space. Neutralization of the main surfaces of the space creates freedom in furniture and fabrics. Thus, it becomes very easy for you to create a striking effect by choosing complementary or contrasting colors in fabrics.
Combining nature and modernism in decorations can enable you to create a space that is both technical and richly detailed. You can create an ethnic and warm effect by using large size photos in neutral colors and large candles.
It is easily possible to strengthen the serene effect of the space by highlighting the minimal details. By mounting the lighting properly in the space and making choices in color and form in decorative objects in harmony with furniture and fabrics, it will enable you to create a space that is both holistic and different.
In order to create large and spacious surfaces in every way, it would be a correct method to set minimal and functionalism as a theme by eliminating the excesses in the space. However, avoiding ornaments completely in order to always be minimal may not be satisfactory in terms of decoration diversity. For this reason, by catching the harmony in ornaments and fabrics and balancing with large monolithic surfaces, you have magnificent spaces such as Gomati house.
Image Credit: Photographix
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