This apartment is built on an openness of the design plan combined with a uniform structure and choice of material.
The apartment in Ahmedabad, with an area of 62 sq mt, demanded a layout spacious enough to combine work and living. UA Lab (Urban Architectural Collaborative) created spaces that are separated through vertical frames, but which can be combined when required. The vertical frames are designed as a combination of transparent, porous and solid planes.
Transparent and porous planes allow for maximum light and air ventilation within internal spaces. While solid planes within the vertical frames take care of the storage units. The frames are kept open where it meets the ceiling and floor surface to maintain the continuity of space within the apartment. The vertical frames and furniture are designed using reclaimed wood that is Valsadi sag.
The choice of single material of the same size and similar design vocabulary gives a monolithic character to the entire space. The reclaimed wood is polished with tel-paani technique (Indian way to polish wood) to allow for a clear finish.
The internal space layout with minimum necessary brick walls is designed to create an open plan. The studio space is enveloped with open frames on two sides dividing it from the living area on one side and the dining area on the other. The space opens into the living area, which could be also used as formal meeting space for the studio work. The daughter’s room is enclosed with a slider door allowing it to open into the family dining space. The interior space layout, choice of materials and design details provides spaciousness and warmth.
The UA Lab (Urban Architecture Collaborative Lab) is a very young design firm formed in 2014 by Vipuja Parmar and Krishnakant Parmar.
Both are principal architects for The UA Lab and have an inclination towards vernacular space design. For every project, the design studio tries to a create a vocabulary that meets contemporary demands and holds vernacular understanding of space design.
Both Krushnakant and Vipuja graduated from the School of Architecture, CEPT University. Prior to setting up the UA Lab, Krushnakant worked in Surat. Vipuja is a visiting faculty at CEPT University, Ahmedabad, and IPSA Rajkot.
