folded steel ribbons envelope narrow row house in india

Ribbon House by DesignAware pops up in a dense neighborhood

Creative studio DesignAware constructs Ribbon House within a dense residential neighborhood near the historical Qutb Shahi Tombs in Hyderabad, India. The structure sits at the top of a steeply-sloping lane, surrounded by houses sharing walls on three of its sides. The minimal narrow plot and the buildings enclosing the house impose challenges and limitations throughout the design process concerning the spatial layout, natural ventilation, and privacy factors.

The project follows a vernacular architectural vocabulary and integrates Scandinavian design principles paying homage both to the region’s rich heritage and the client’s background. Drawing from traditional local houses, the architecture arranges a courtyard, a verandah, and a jaali reinterpreted to the minimalistic aesthetic. Embracing the concept of an inward-looking design, a central open courtyard stands as the heart of the home preserving an existing pair of neem trees and allowing natural lighting within the space.

The spatial layout forms around the atrium. A perforated light-weight concrete block wall is designed in the shared space with the neighboring house ensuring privacy and ventilation. The Peekaboo wall uses computational design in an intricate play with angles of rotation of each concrete block creating an undulating geometric surface. The reinterpreted jaali skin over the front facade provides access to the greenery in the front yard through the internal balconies and large bedroom windows, while securing privacy from the lane. White ribbons of folded steel cover the origami-like facade and wrap around the side of the house, casting fractured shadows and allowing strips of light to cast on the walls and floor.

folded facade with diffused glow during nighttime | all images by Turtle Arts Photography unless stated otherwise

repetitive patterns throughout the house grant uniformity

The ‘ribbonesque’ facade is designed through various iterations of paper folding and cutting, creating an interrupted and intersecting folded surface. The steel bands explore folding as a means of fabrication. The screen allows residents to view the lane while restricting visual access to the interior from passers-by. On the upper levels, balconies from the front bedroom overlook the internal front garden and the lane. Hydraulic-operated shutters on each level allow for balconies to open up toward the lane or remain closed, creating a dynamic facade. The design team proposes the adornment of the metal strips with flowering vines and the plantation of the rooftop garden over time.

The practice of repetition and patterns is evident throughout the design. At every level, the front bedroom headboards are customized to reflect the folds of the facade at that level, while the master bedroom arranges a larger tufted headboard that mimics the grid of the Peekaboo wall. Opposite to the sleeping zone is Fold, an origami-like foldable partition between the master bedroom and the dressing area. Due to limited area, several space-saving measures are adopted in this house, such as built-in wardrobes and convertible side tables in the front bedrooms.

ribbon-like metal strips provide shading and privacy from the lane while letting in fresh air within the house

white dominates as pops of vibrant hues emerge in the interior

The restrained color palette dominated by white creates a sense of spaciousness, while pops of vibrant hues add warmth and character. Locally-sourced Tandur blue slate is used for the flooring, and in-situ mosaic flooring is designed using stone wastage from the site to demarcate semi-open spaces, such as balconies and verandahs, within the plan. The winders are paved in mosaic flooring and stand out from the rest of the staircase. Wastage from toilet countertops has been converted to customized side tables and benches. The garage at the entrance is paved with rough, unfinished Tandur stone to mimic the mosaic flooring of the semi-open areas.

‘patton wala ghar’, ‘house with ribbons’, pops up in the dense residential block | image by Saikanth Krishna

the central atrium provides vertical visual continuity and sunlight distribution through the different levels

a perforated light-weight concrete block wall, the Peekaboo wall, ensures privacy and ventilation

origami-inspired glass canopy covers the staircase maintaining the theme of folding

the design follows various iterations of paper folding and cutting forming dynamic shapes

1/5

embracing the concept of an inward-looking design, the spatial layout forms around the atrium

the front bedroom headboards are customized to reflect the folds of the facade

Fold is a mirrored dynamic partition enclosing the master wardrobe and reflecting the Peekaboo block wall

ground floor plan

first floor plan

project info:

name: Ribbon House
designer: DesignAware | @designaware

architect and project manager: Takbir Fatima

interior designer and project manager: Abeer Fatima

location: Qutb Shahi Tombs, Hyderabad, India

photography: Turtle Arts Photography | @turtlearts_photography

drone photography: Saikanth Krishna | @saikanthkrishna

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom