--- title: "Hikari House: Minimalist Compact Home Design in Meerut" description: "Discover Hikari House, a 20x60 ft urban home in Meerut designed by SIAN Architects. See how modular facades and light courts create an expansive feel in compact urban housing." canonical: https://mytribe.in/sianarchitects/residential-architecture-design/hikari-house-light-life-in-a-compact-footprint last_updated: 2025-09-16 --- # Hikari House: Minimalist Compact Living in Meerut Tribe Verified · Award-winning context-sensitive residential design studio. By [SIAN Architects](https://mytribe.in/sianarchitects) · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in Derawal Nagar, Delhi · ₹180 ₹ per sq. ft. of Built-up Area (estimate) Part of [Residential Architecture & Design](https://mytribe.in/sianarchitects/residential-architecture-design). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/sianarchitects/residential-architecture-design/gallery) A 20x60 ft urban plot transformed into a home for two families, using light as the primary material. This project explores how minimal design and modular facades can turn tight city constraints into opportunities for expansive, peaceful living. ## Photos and videos - [Video: A video introducing Hikari House, explaining how the design addresses the constraints of a dense urban plot in old Meerut. It highlights the concept of using light, courts, and stacked units to create a functional and beautiful home.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bd922ad2-9e1d-4821-9ee9-b1a947f38b8c) - [Video: A video walkthrough of the Hikari House, showing how the design is built around light, restraint, and rhythm. It explains how carefully placed elements create a sense of balance and make space for life to unfold.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8265ff11-e61d-4f2f-ae77-2c1851f894da) - [Video: A video detailing the design of the modular facade. Made from 8x8 inch cement blocks, the screen filters light, provides privacy, and frames views of the neighborhood, all while responding to the home's context.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/90c4ab98-f68f-4299-ad07-a6fde7a0a261) - ![The facade of Hikari House, with its custom cast-concrete screen. This modular screen, assembled like Tetris blocks, mediates light, airflow, and privacy, anchoring the home within its dense urban context.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dd89be42-c05e-4efd-ac2a-91cbb0f3abab) - ![A view of the balcony behind the concrete screen. This space acts as a buffer between the interior and the street, offering a private outdoor area that still feels connected to the city.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/990be292-546e-4cb8-9176-17bdbb423449) - ![The geometric screen frames a view of a nearby temple dome. We used these urban markers as anchors, intentionally framing distant views to make the compact home feel more expansive.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a841ce59-86f9-4a42-a8ab-336307092eb8) - ![The modular facade, with its triangular voids, creates a beautiful play of light and shadow. A bougainvillea vine adds a splash of color to the grey concrete, softening the geometric design.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6a9cb2cf-e8f4-4fc6-9d2d-c2adfedc266a) - ![The balcony space, with its checkered floor and potted plants, shows how even small outdoor areas can become personal retreats. The screen provides privacy without sacrificing light or air.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4657485d-2fd9-4540-9c53-da91893bcf09) - ![An axonometric drawing showing how Hikari House is situated within its dense neighborhood. The drawing illustrates the narrow footprint and the challenge of bringing in light and ventilation.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b49df2b7-39bd-4708-b632-a2196e1a44cd) - ![A sectional drawing of the house, revealing the strategic cut-outs and light courts that draw in daylight and support cross-ventilation, turning constraints into spatial opportunities.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/46d70ed2-eefc-49fa-a7c9-79d2e8ec772c) - ![The ground and first-floor plans of Hikari House. The layout shows how we planned for two families on one small plot, with a central light court anchoring both floors and private bedrooms at the periphery.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/51b7ca3d-fe96-4cae-92d5-2533d7ca4d4b) - ![Light is the only ornament this home needs. A linear skylight brings daylight into the vertical core of the home, creating a rhythmic play of shadows across the minimalist corridor.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f19c6e82-1f35-4128-a0ca-25ee525c3577) - ![A view down the central corridor, where light from the skylight stripes the floor. The polished Kota stone reflects the light, enhancing the sense of brightness in this compact home.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/735c404a-04cf-4b81-9878-2c3aea6cb977) - ![A person stands in the light-filled stairwell, illustrating the verticality of the space. The glass railing and open design ensure that light penetrates deep into the home's core.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/df7a9553-54ac-44f7-857c-477d2ede472c) - ![A view from a carved wooden doorway into the light-filled corridor. This shot captures the essence of the home, where light is treated as the ultimate luxury in a dense urban environment.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/79522632-37a2-4480-a3d3-7247e810f2d8) - ![Another perspective of the main corridor, showing the lattice door and the play of light and shadow. The design proves that simple, well-executed ideas can have a powerful impact.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fb694a1d-178c-4fcb-ab91-583ca74912d3) - ![Looking up at the skylight, the source of the home's brightness. The geometric play of shadows and clean lines is a key feature of the home's minimalist aesthetic.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8915fd91-610a-4b59-9d5e-759a1abd4a85) - ![The pinewood staircase sits beside the light court, connecting the two floors without visual heaviness. A sculptural bench at its base creates a moment of pause within the flow of daily life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/649fb6f5-f84b-471f-b791-106c74a791f2) - ![A detail of the pinewood staircase and custom bench. The warm grain of the wood catches the light, adding texture and variation to the compact plan.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/856e26f1-a20a-4bae-a50f-ef3ae130b295) - ![The staircase is framed by slender black balusters, which provide structure while maintaining a sense of openness. The design connects the living area to the upper floor seamlessly.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a4022b8c-f4bc-4f92-a557-15b29063ed06) - ![The dining area is part of an open, continuous layout. The custom teakwood table with its fluted base is surrounded by soft textures and neutral tones, creating a space that is grounded and adaptable.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e5f48e55-4e54-4138-a6a9-b3f6c4fce415) - ![A wider view of the dining space, showing its connection to the living area. Daylight filters in through sheer curtains, creating a bright and open atmosphere for shared meals.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3d92e4d3-6bbe-48ed-ae52-dc363496be2a) - ![The interior palette is inspired by Japanese sensibilities, with warm wood, muted textures, and tactile finishes. Custom shelving and simple upholstery create a space that feels composed and lived-in.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a1e58367-63a6-4c77-82ac-0432aa551fc9) - ![The custom shelving unit flows from the dining area into the kitchen, creating a visual spine that connects the shared spaces. The design is both a storage solution and a key part of the home's spatial navigation.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/372578cc-d54b-4b9b-990a-526b57641050) - ![A view of the custom shelving that anchors the living and dining spaces. The unit is finished in a warm timber, with fluted glass panels that add a layer of texture and refinement.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8d085bdc-ae37-46a2-8a00-56ecc5863287) - ![The open kitchen, with its light wood cabinetry and grey textured tiles, continues the home's minimal and functional aesthetic. A small window connects it to the light court, bringing in more daylight.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/310a8231-bce9-4836-9c49-3701d2684748) - ![The upper-floor living area, with its clean lines and material integrity. The textured wall, neutral sofas, and custom wood furniture create a space that is calm and sophisticated.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/64780154-53af-470e-8d04-bf13638f183d) - ![Another view of the living area, showing the sculpted wall paneling and warm, earthy tones. The design balances restraint with character, creating a comfortable and inviting space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4f0d470a-b0c1-4ca4-9711-97865f818583) - ![The unique bookshelf, made from waste wood, acts as a sculptural room divider. It was designed as an interactive feature for children and a conversation piece for adults.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1aa3c9c8-3910-40af-9f8d-85cf3595c42e) - ![A detail of the living room, where clean geometric lines are softened by the warm tones of oakwood and plush upholstery. It's a silent symphony of sophistication.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/98197594-949d-4d45-b416-4a942e63b515) - ![A bedroom in Hikari House, featuring a calm, neutral palette. The louvered wardrobe doors and upholstered wall panels add texture and a sense of quiet luxury to the compact space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7a0ea30a-6060-424f-b084-8d832882d7d4) - ![The verandah at Hikari House is designed as a flexible breakout space. A simple wooden swing and potted plants turn this small balcony into an expansive, light-filled retreat.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/504e933d-39d4-4e69-81b3-33b26ce3664a) ## About Hikari House: Light & Life in a Compact Footprint The modular facade here is not just an aesthetic choice; it is a functional screen built from 8x8 inch cement blocks. We arranged them in a grid similar to Tetris pieces to filter harsh Meerut sunlight while maintaining privacy for both families. It proves that you do not need a sprawling plot to achieve a sense of openness if you carefully control how light and air enter the home. When we took on the challenge of Hikari House, we were working with a 20x60 ft footprint in one of Meerut's densest neighborhoods. In urban housing, the natural instinct is often to build up and seal off, but we took the opposite approach. We looked at the site not as a limit, but as a framework for testing light as a material. The home is structured around two key elements: the central light court and the modular facade. The light court acts as a vertical lung, drawing daylight deep into the building's core through a linear skylight. This prevents the interior from feeling like a tunnel, a common trap in narrow, deep urban plots. Instead, the polished Kota stone floors reflect this light, creating a rhythmic play of shadow and brightness that shifts throughout the day. For the facade, we avoided heavy masonry. Instead, we used a modular system of cement blocks that mimics traditional screens but with a contemporary, geometric twist. This screen handles the heavy lifting—it creates a buffer against the street, offers privacy, and frames specific, peaceful views of local temple domes, all while allowing cross-ventilation. This project is about living with less, but living better. By stacking two family units on one footprint, we created shared zones that encourage connection, while keeping private bedrooms at the edges to ensure solitude. It is a study in passive cooling and material honesty, using pine and concrete to create a home that feels light, airy, and deeply grounded in its neighborhood. ## About SIAN Architects We are Surbhi and Deepanshu, and at SIAN, we do not just build walls. We listen to the land, watch where the sun falls, and figure out how two families can share one footprint without ever feeling cramped. Hikari House is our way of showing that when you design with intention, even a small, dense plot can feel like a sanctuary. 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