The Monochrome House: Privacy and Openness in a Contemporary Design 

September 21, 2021

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By 

Shan Arcega

In the 13 years that DADA & Partners has existed, it has been known for completing a plethora of projects. From residential architecture, landscaping, campus planning, and urban design projects that are dominantly modern in style. This year, one of DADA & Partners’ new projects is the Monochrome house in New Dehli, India. This contemporary home was fitted for a young couple who wanted it to work as a youthful residence and a space that’s fit for entertainment. 

Within four stories are entertainment spaces that mix with the landscape design. The south face’s side is designed to be open enough that natural ventilation and natural light can freely spill into the room. The south face’s openness also brings the courtyard access all the way to the rooftop, shifting into an internal courtyard that serves as a separator between the living room and the parents’ room on the ground floor which practically serves as a transparent podium that engages with the outside. With its corner location, the courtyard feels visually larger and merges with the external landscape that’s highlighted by slim profiled frameless floor-to-ceiling glass. 

The home is flanked by exposed concrete walls and is connected by a long flight of staircases made of metal and timber. It staggers inwards and originates from the building edge to create a skylight at the top of the second and third levels. 

Below this skylight is a triple-height wall garbed with black limestone, creating depth, subtle changes in shape, and casts a shadow by pulling in the daylight. The use of exposed concrete combined with black limestone are the elements that form the home’s ‘monochrome’ theme.

One of the home’s key elements is a den and entertainment lounge on the top level. These spaces connect to the outdoor deck, providing panoramic skyline views. 

Aside from these different architectural features, the Monochrome House also features charcoal aluminum louvers on the west facade. Overhangs also work as additional designs while reducing heat gain, making the home thermally efficient. 

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