A multi-generational residence on the outskirts of Raipur, The Quadrant House blends new notions of luxury with nature and light.  

Location: Raipur, Chhattisgarh Built up area: 15, 000 sq. ft.

Smaller cities in India are becoming playgrounds for a new architectural vocabulary as young homeowners move away from ornamentation and kitsch, focusing instead on a comfortable living experience centered around natural materials, ample daylight, and seamless transitions between the inside and outside. The Quadrant House in Raipur is the result of one such experiment — the multi-generational home stands in understated contrast with its surroundings, weaving in and out of its landscape.

Located in a plotted development in the outskirts of Raipur, the 1.3-acre site lies at the heart of the community's public space — the society's temple stands to its south, the clubhouse sits across its northern end, and an arterial road forms its western edge. This location prompted an inward-looking design scheme, with a central green space flanked by the residential block to the south and a pool house along the north. The pool house also acts as a buffer between the community clubhouse and the residence, easing the transition from public to private areas.

The site's zoning emerged from Vastu principles, which resulted in two intersecting axes of movement dividing the house into four blocks. At the intersection of the two axes lies the heart of the home: the family living and dining area where the seven members of the household congregate. The pool house forms the recreational block comprising a lounge, a gym, and an outdoor swimming pool.

A driveway leads visitors to a shaded entrance porch, where a sculptural staircase greets them in the lobby connecting to the first floor. The lobby connects to the formal living and dining room towards the lawn and the kitchen and service spaces on the south. A corridor leads further to the central family living and dining area. Bedrooms occupy the western blocks of the lower floor, with deep verandahs and solid walls protecting the rooms from the harsh afternoon sun.

The shared spaces of the house are oriented towards a landscaped court, with sliding windows offering uninterrupted views of the lawn and the pool house beyond. Stepping out of the living and dining areas, one enters a verandah that opens to an intimate patio where the family enjoys their Sunday tandoor luncheons. The large central lawn hosts events and cricket matches — two favourite pastimes of the family. The pool house flanks the northern edge of the lawn, with a deep verandah forming a canopy above it. 

The landscape strategy creates a vibrant visual palette that stands out in its muted background while maintaining a sense of privacy. Tall flowering trees like Gulmohar line the periphery to screen views from the outside, creating a high-density boundary. Low-level flowering plants demarcate the internal driveway from the lawn. A mix of fruit and flowering trees, bonsais, and shrubs create a dynamic and variegated environment, with white, green, and purple flowers forming an eclectic canvas of seasonal blooms. Fruit trees like pear and papaya are part of the edible landscape, becoming accessories to the house in its daily use. 

The architectural expression of the house is inspired by the rice granaries located near the site. Designed to resemble two barn-style volumes sitting atop a solid structure, the upper levels of the residential block are capped by pitched roofs and wrapped in zinc panels, while the lower levels are clad with travertine. The outhouse is encased in a dark local limestone contrasting with the light travertine, with the swimming pool patio floor visualised as an extension and rendered in the same material. 

The subdued palette of the exterior is balanced by a rich display of natural materials in the interior décor, expressed in floor patterns, wall cladding, and furniture elements. The entrance lobby features pristine Thassos white & grey William marble, laid in a pattern inspired by a rug weave. The flooring accentuates the length of the circulation across the house. Bathroom surfaces are clad in various shades of marble with minimal detailing, allowing the variegated patterns of the stone to be the element of focus. In the bedrooms, wood is used to imbue a sense of warmth, with hardwood flooring, cabinetry, timber accents, and pitched roofs encased in wood. The natural material palette in the interior spaces exudes a sense of tranquility permeating the home.

The house is furnished with statement pieces by international brands, and balanced with bespoke furniture by Mangrove Collective that incorporates local patterns and indigenous techniques into the mix. Rugs with Indian-inspired motifs add a vibrant touch to the residence's bare stone and wood floors, along with draperies in rich silk that feature embroidery and patterned weaves. Contemporary Indian art is featured at different locations around the house, like the hand-beaten brass medallions forming an accent feature in the formal living area.

Balancing the aspirations and varied tastes of the home's multi-generational residents, The Quadrant House reflects their sensibilities in a subdued but visually unique expression, weaving in spaces for reflection and recreation amidst nature.