The project The House of Thirds, developed by Architects Collaborative, utilizes a modest 270 m² plot in an established neighborhood, fitting in like the final piece of a puzzle. This irregular lot, positioned at a convergence, forms a highly inclined triangular pentagon.
The program's needs also presented unique characteristics, resulting in a residence for a single family with seven levels of construction. The project includes a two-level basement purely out of curiosity, a ground floor supported by pilotis designated for parking, and four upper floors, divided into two individual apartments and a duplex at the top. The central motivation, aligned with recent urban trends in Delhi, was the optimization of available space.
The primary challenge lay in the configuration of the land itself. Initially, design studies focused on contouring this hybrid shape and rationalizing the internal spaces. However, it was concluded that it would be more effective to embrace the existing geometry, allowing the corners and angles to flow organically into the design.
The longer face of the plot, a 26-meter inclined south wall, served as the main source of natural light but also required protection from nearby neighbors and mitigation of solar heat gain. To solve this, the layout was segmented into three distinct parts, arranged from east to west, and connected by two central courtyards.
These two courtyards, which are deep openings in the south facade, act as dividing elements. Each is composed of two halves: the first is a Zen courtyard or a water courtyard, both open to the sky. The remaining halves constitute an entrance hall and an intermediate transition courtyard, being covered areas integrated with the open courtyards. Internally, both courtyards function as communal spaces with double-height ceilings, where the living room is located as a focal point between them.
The open kitchen and dining room, united by a monolithic island, are located to the west and interact with the living room through the courtyard, promoting a highly integrated floor plan. The basement functions as an autonomous duplex, using the two courtyards as deep wells to ensure natural light and ventilation. A side mezzanine on three sides provides space for storage and a guest room, while the lower level is primarily dedicated to the common area.
Due to the proximity of neighbors on all sides, privacy is maintained through 15 cm slits on the periphery of the house, allowing only glimpses of the interior and creating a dynamic effect of light and shadow along the path. The main light sources, the two courtyards, complement the building's geometry through a custom shading system for the plot. This system consists of pivoting solid wood panels, controlled internally so that residents can manage the light entry as desired.
Externally, the built volume manifests as a monolith, punctuated by wooden columns at two points. The color palette used externally is mirrored internally, employing shades of gray speckled with the natural textures of the materials. The floor, made of concrete of an identical tone, was an experiment that resulted in cracks, which were filled with a brass-toned resin, giving it a unique character comparable to the concept of 'kintsugi'. The arrangement in three fragments, together with the two courtyards, contributes to naming the project 'The House of Thirds.'