The Light House: A Modern Multi-Generational Home Design
In Nagpur, we reimagined the traditional wada for a modern family. See how light, timber screens, and open courtyards create a sanctuary that connects generations.
An evening view of the upper levels of 'The Light House', showcasing the glass-encased entertainment areas and rooftop deck that offer panoramic views of the Nagpur cityscape.
The formal living room seamlessly extends onto a spacious wooden deck. This indoor-outdoor space is designed for entertaining guests or enjoying quiet family evenings, surrounded by views of the city.
We design spaces that reflect the user. This serene bedroom, with its custom pendant lights inspired by temple architecture, is a quiet sanctuary designed for the family's matriarch.
A cozy family lounge area featuring a warm wood-paneled ceiling and comfortable, modern furniture. This space is designed as a social hub for daily interactions and relaxed gatherings.
This media room combines moody, dark tones with a bright, airy balcony screened by timber lattices. It serves as a private retreat that can be opened up to natural light and ventilation.
A quiet moment in a 'jharokha', a modern interpretation of the traditional enclosed balcony. These spaces are designed as intimate nooks for contemplation, connecting the resident with the outdoors while maintaining privacy.
The bedroom opens onto a balcony veiled in operable timber lattices, a modern 'jaali' that provides privacy and diffuses the harsh sunlight, creating a constantly changing pattern of shadows within.
About this collection
A central eight-foot-wide atrium anchors this home, acting as the lungs of the structure. We studied Nagpur's sun path meticulously to ensure this core draws in diffused, cool air while serving as a visual bridge between family floors, proving that traditional climate control is just as relevant today as it was centuries ago.
Architecture as a Living Organism
For 'The Light House', our goal was to translate the essence of the 'wada'—the traditional courtyard home—into a contemporary urban residence. The site in Nagpur presented a challenge: a dense neighborhood with little space for open-to-sky gardens. We chose to bring the garden inside, vertically.
Climate-Responsive Design
The most prominent feature is the series of timber lattices, or modern jaalis, that veil the exterior. These are not merely decorative; they are climate-control devices. By analyzing wind directions and sun paths, we designed these operable screens to diffuse the harsh Nagpur heat while providing privacy. They create a constantly shifting interplay of light and shadow, turning the interior walls into a living canvas throughout the day.
Materiality and Craft
Every finish choice reflects our belief in tactile architecture. We used rich, fluted wood for the panelling and custom brass fixtures that age gracefully over time. In the washrooms, black marble paired with fluted glass offers a dramatic, spa-like atmosphere, balancing privacy with natural light. The central atrium is where the family meets, both aurally and visually, keeping the home connected across levels.
A Home for Generations
Designing for a multi-generational family requires balancing private retreats with shared social hubs. The formal living room spills onto a deck for large gatherings, while private bedrooms—like the sanctuary designed for the matriarch—feature custom pendant lights inspired by temple architecture. This house does not just shelter; it encourages conversation, meditation, and gathering, proving that even in a modern urban context, one can build a home that is profoundly rooted.
SJK Architects
We are SJK Architects, a studio in Colaba that sees buildings as living organisms. For three decades, we have been obsessed with how stone, light, and traditional craft can come together to tell a family's story. We do not just design structures; we create sanctuaries that breathe.
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