Sajjad Residence

A house designed in layers both vertically and horizontally, with a great sense of visual and spatial connectivity despite having a large number of independent living spaces.

The residence is designed around a central courtyard at the basement level, that serves a plethora of functions, beyond being the perfect communal space for the family to gather, entertain and grow. It allows for a large number of windows across the house which flood it with natural light, the multiple orientations it creates greatly increases the ventilation of the house and serves to keep it cool during the summer. A majority of the living spaces open directly into the courtyard or into a series of balconies which creates an intimate neighbourhood inside the house for the three generations of the family residing here. A hallmark of Manzil Studios, a fine harmony exists between privacy, division of spaces and a sense of connection throughout the house. This inter-connectivity plays out vertically as well as horizontally across the house. The architectural planning has taken advantage of all available space and maximized the potential of each individual program. Large open windows and the vertical space the courtyard opens up ensures that no rooms feel small as the sun moves through the house as the day goes by.

A multitude of formal and informal spaces are littered across the residence, offering just as many unique experiences and views. This also ensures that no corner of the house is devoid of life or light. Private and public spaces are simultaneously independent yet fluid. This dialogue between spaces, and thus their users, forms the essential design principle of this house. The materials used reflect a restrained palette without compromising on refinement. Indoors, this creates the perfect canvas for the client’s extensive art collection to be exhibited while on the exterior the contrast between the dark stone and white paint is one of the many interesting juxtapositions of this project.

Fundamentally a generational family home, Courtyard House 3 is designed on the principles of sound design that encourage connection, belonging and growth.