Work List

3S House

3S House

A residence designed for a multigenerational joint family, balancing privacy, shared living, and strong spatial connections to nature. The home uses a thoughtful approach to structure, materiality, and movement to create a dynamic, evolving domestic environment.

 

A house for a multigenerational joint family warrants a cautious and balanced approach because of varied and often contradicting requirements from all family members. Among all programmatic complexities, the design of private spaces for each sub-family unit and common family areas poses a great challenge.  At the heart of this architectural response lies the idea of a "house within a house"—a framework that brings three generations together under one roof while providing appropriate privacy and autonomy for each sub-family unit.

Among the many programmatic complexities, the careful orchestration of private zones alongside collective family spaces forms the central design challenge. The architecture aims to nurture shared living while respecting individual rhythms, crafting a spatial narrative that embraces both independence and togetherness.

A house within a house brings three generations together under one roof while providing appropriate individual space for each sub-family.

Categories

Residential

Programme

Architecture, Interiors, Landscape

Timeline

2021 - 2024

Status

Completed

Location

Ahmedabad

Size

7500 ft2

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Landscape Integration and Orientation

 

Anchored at the rear edge of the plot and occupying its full width, the house is designed to open towards the northeast, where a lush landscaped garden becomes both a visual and social anchor. Most interior spaces are oriented to overlook and connect with this green expanse, reinforcing a continuous dialogue between inside and out.

This garden functions as an extended living space, hosting large family gatherings and celebrations, and serving as a dynamic backdrop to everyday life. A central circulation spine runs through the house, opening at multiple junctures to draw in natural light and ventilation. This axis not only organizes movement but also frames views and amplifies the connection to nature—making landscape an integral, ever-present layer within the architecture.

Spatial Strategy: Stacking, Shifting, Sliding

 

To navigate the layered needs of a large family, the design employs a spatial strategy of stacking, shifting, and sliding. Architectural blocks—each representing distinct programmatic functions—are stacked vertically and grouped by generational age. These blocks are then strategically shifted and slid to open up a variety of transitional spaces: open terraces, semi-covered balconies, and shaded entrance porches.

These interstitial zones enrich the everyday experience, creating a rhythmic interplay between openness and enclosure. More than just circulation or buffer zones, they act as active interfaces—seamlessly linking interior spaces to the landscaped outdoors and enhancing the spatial porosity of the house.

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Material Palette: Cohesion Through Simplicity

The architectural language of the house is rooted in a restrained and harmonious material palette. A limited set of primary materials—wood-finish concrete, white oak, and marble flooring—define the tactile identity of the home. Complementary materials are introduced sparingly, maintaining a consistent and unified expression throughout.

Transitions between materials are gentle and deliberate, creating a fluid continuity across spaces. The palette blurs the boundaries between function and form, indoor and outdoor, minimal and expressive—resulting in a home that feels both grounded and expansive, quiet yet emotionally resonant.

This residence is envisioned not merely as a dwelling, but as a living organism—responsive to the rhythms of everyday life and evolving family dynamics. Its spatial design accommodates routine, spontaneity, and celebration alike. By bringing multiple generations together while honoring the uniqueness of each, the home fosters an environment of shared belonging and individual growth. It is a house built not just for the present, but for the continuity of family across time.

Credits

Team

Dilip Revar, Vimal Patel
Ami Patel, Aesha Thakkar, Dipal Modi

Collaborators
Structure: The Pyramid Consultants
MEP: Gallop MEPF Consultants