New Trending - Home Architecture
| Homes are spaces that are an extension of your personality. It is also a space where you unwind and get to be yourself in the privacy that cannot be matched elsewhere. Architecture plays a big role in homes and there have been a lot of changes in homes to meet the needs of today's times. Modern home design is about contemporary architecture and how it helps drive efficacy in modern lifestyles through inventively designed living spaces. |
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| Architecture is not about doing different things it's how we do things differently. Built Expressions understand what’s new in home architecture from the people on the ground. |
| New Vistas |
| Architecture of homes has become more challenging today, given wider awareness on the subject - thanks to the internet and huge spurt in global tourism. Design of homes itself has become a fine art of balance between creativity and ability to really execute the same on-site. "Synergy in creativity is limited to one's imagination and there is no end to the same. |
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Architecture is just not the good external looks to a home or residential building but in fact, every tiny aspect, be it the internal layout of each room, furniture design and sizing, ease and safety of movement within and outside the home, right choice of Bathroom fixture and fittings, furniture, air and light ventilation, security aspects, have all come in for a major rethink and review before incorporation in design," opines H R Girish, CEO, Vakil Housing Development Corporation. Architecture is now not limited to four walls of home. The art of planning designing and constructing a building is changing day by day. Precast technology is the new development in construction industry, where concrete is produced in a reusable mould or "form" which is then cured in a controlled environment, transported to the construction site and lifted into place. "In this technology majority of structural components of buildings (such as slabs, columns, beams, wall etc.) are standardized and produced in plants in a location away from the building site and then transported to the site for assembly. It leads to less time consumption. The structure created by using Precast is long lasting. These components are manufactured by industrial methods based on mass production in order to build a large number of buildings in a short time at low cost," says Kumar Bharat, Director, BCC Infrastructure, Bharat City. As far as interior architecture of homes is concerned there is a gradual shift to factory-finished modular fitting rather than onsite carpentry works. "This means that most of the fit outs can arrive just in time making project turnaround that much faster. Onsite carpentry is cumbersome, time-consuming and non-standard," says Sandeep Mittal, Managing Director of Anutone Building Systems.
Trends
| There has been an enhanced interest to incorporate the various design concepts from across the world while blending the same with some traditional design. Homes interiors are more in keeping with international trends. "The emphasis is on minimalist yet classy interiors both in ethnic and contemporary genres. Indian design and motifs are very rich in detail and colour. These are getting into international methods and delivery to the home owner who |
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gets the best of both worlds - Indian and international," says Mittal. Now the addition is of functional requirements like home interiors that are green and hence sustainable, thermal insulation for the building envelope, fire-resistant products and acoustical finishes to ensure homes are quieter.'Smart and organized' is the new and relevant theme in contemporary homes. Vishal Bhawnani, Spokesperson, Ventura Interiors explains that design needs to be more holistic. "Making small spaces look neat and beautiful is also a good way to organize space. An organized space is further accentuated with a wall-to-wall wardrobe system in rich finishes; A smart kitchen looks neat and feels like a part of the living area, no longer a separate room anymore. There's no greater feeling than going to sleep in a perfectly neat and beautiful bedroom. The floors free and clear of clutter and everything put neatly away where they belong. Lighting is an important aspect of the home decor. Both for illumination as well as for decoration, floor lamps, ceiling suspended lamps, wall lighting fixtures and table lamps add brightness and give shape." Old trends are seeing a re-emergence. Homes are no more about concrete walls –they represent rejuvenating spaces for every individual. The modern home is all about how innovation is able to help us discover the aesthetics of harmony with nature.
Time for Change
| Home design is not only on the external facade but to every fine detail. The home owner looks forward to various themes within his home in different areas/ rooms, thereby breaking away from the tradition of same 'grammar' and 'language' flowing across in a home. “The play of colours, hues and textures of finishes can be so very mind-boggling that it demands a strong design-articulation to bring out the desired effect without making the user or visitor overwhelmed. Advent of new materials have added to the |
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challenges not to mention huge shortage in availability of skilled labour, which is both aware of these as well as has the requisite skill sets, for proper execution of the same," says Vakil. Rooms have taken on new roles. "Think home theatres, game rooms, offices and gyms as examples. Dining rooms have evolved into a formal dining room area supplemented by breakfast areas, along with counter-seating in the kitchens for informal meals. Bathrooms span across options for the whole family, master baths, Jack and Jill baths for the kids, to today's en-suite baths for every bedroom, and a powder room for guests," says Suraj H Asrani, COO, Cornerstone Properties. Houses today are structurally stronger, better protected and more resilient to the vagaries of time. Homes in future will reflect the changes in societal norms, mirroring living aspirations from joint to nuclear families. He adds, "The latest challenge is to bring the outdoors inside, which would make a home far more coherent and cozy. We can explore, indoor water features, skylights, larger windows and central courtyards which function as outdoor living spaces where larger gatherings can be held. The selection of landscaping features and native plants that require minimal maintenance or watering are all part of sustainable living. Non-toxic materials, low energy appliances, recycled timbers and a host of other materials are now realistic options."
Bindu Gopal Rao