Nestled within a thicket of sapped trees lies the Kalrav Villa, an abode to humans and birds alike. Facing the east, a glass façade shapes the house’s design as it opens up in the form reminiscent of a flying bird. Exposed concrete and lime plaster support the façade, flaunting a minimal, sleek, and earthy design.
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The intent behind VPA Architects’ design of the Kalrav Villa is the least possible footprint taken up by the house. Throughout the villa, glass windows and balconies facilitate maximum interaction between the house and its invigorating green landscape. The low heightened entrance pavilion welcomes guests into the house before it unfolds into two elevated seating rooms. Water bodies encompass the private and formal rooms, creating an ambiance of a floating island. Further, the islands reveal a central, double-height stair shaft enveloping the landscape and blurring the lines of inside-outside.
Additionally, the architects thoughtfully design a prayer room immersed in the courtyard’s surrounding landscape so as to not confine deities within walls. On one side of the magnificent courtyard, you will find semi-private spaces, the kitchen, dining, utility spaces, and so on. The other side features private spaces which include a bedroom and family seating area. Upstairs are two master bedrooms that meet the “floating” roofs that form the flying bird façade.
Further details include custom open-air bathtubs, kota stone flooring, and fabricated louvers to control natural light. The interiors flaunt neutral color schemes and paintings inspired by nature, birds, and animals to keep the connection to the environment alive.
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