HOUSE OF VOIDS by Sifti Design Studio

The House of Voids at New Amritsar Colony is nestled in an upcoming township in the city of Amritsar. The plot is narrow and deep, bounded by residential buildings on three sides while facing a beautiful park on one edge. This context challenged the possibility of opening up the interior to air and light while maintaining privacy – which became the driving force behind the layout of spaces.

A combination of passive design techniques has been used to make the enclosed spaces comfortable and open to the elements of nature. From the outside, the mass of the home is solid and unassuming, giving almost no hint of the vibrant interior. A four feet buffer with cut-outs along the south side has been introduced, which follows the sun's path to catch light in all the spaces. The entire mass is punctured with green spaces and courtyards, which become necessary voids allowing porosity between the interior and exterior spaces – blurring the line between the two. This, coupled with the tall clerestory windows, allow natural light to filter through both storeys. The usage of glass bricks in the bathrooms is another strategy to let light in.  

The materiality of the house complements the quality of light – both strive to be rich, natural, and grounded. In keeping with the quiet modesty that the house assumes, an important feature was to use of reclaimed wood in areas such as the living room partition and the main entrance door. What would typically be an opulent entrance, is instead a humble form of reused hardwood and plywood coming together in a restrained elegance of its own. Upon entry, the living, dining, and kitchen are wrapped in minimal white tones, to mute the interior against the lush green cut-outs. The floor is highlighted by an inlaid carpet of black Chittorgarh marble for its peculiar beauty and durability. The walls are made of fly ash brick, laid in a rat-trap bond to enhance the much-needed thermal barrier in a city like Amritsar. The material is left in its raw and exposed form in most areas, the tones of grey adding a natural, earthy feel to the walls. The brickwork seamlessly flows from the exterior façade to the interior spaces, bringing continuity and scale when one makes the transition.