expert speak
DOWN UNDER
From ideas to tips, seven architecture firms show that the basement is full of amazing design possibilities
RAISING THE BAR
“The major challenge with this home was not just the basement but to work around a 15-year-old structure with minimal changes. This turned into an opportunity for us to try something atypical,” says architect Amit Aurora. A great example is the half-broken wall in the basement between the lounge and bar area. “To create a sense of excitement and add a dash of colour, we used recycled beer and whiskey bottles to create a sheer-like look. Wooden logs, planks and bar stools along with metal foot rests added to the raw look,” says architect Rahul Bansal. No additional doors were added to let the space feel seamless. Since there are no windows here and all lights are artificial. “Cleverly designed pendant lights made from lassi glasses with antique gold finish were suspended over the bar counter fitted with backlit onyx ledge creates drama,” adds Aurora. Another interesting element is the graffiti commissioned specially for the basement foyer (right). “Sufficient ventilation has been provided as well as sump tanks for plumbing works,” says Bansal. What Arora Residence Location Sainik Farms, New Delhi Area
1,186.86 sq ft
Tip A window less basement is a challenge. Use lights that can mimic changing daylight inside in real time.
THE BIG SCREEN EXPERIENCE
“Here the idea was to explore how a basement space can be used for functions other than the conventional parking area. Hence a part of the basement was converted into a home theatre,” says architect Deepak Guggari, adding, “The traditional concept of a light well is emphasised here by creating a light court adjacent to the home theatre which captures enough natural light and facilitates ventilation.” The home theatre room can be accessed directly from the house through the basement lobby. Further, box type water proofing has been used to prevent water seepage in this space. What Courtyard House Location
Viman Nagar, Pune Area
1,425 sq ft
Tip Introduction of natural light courtyards in the basement open up the space, while getting rid of the boxed basement feel.
ENTERTAINMENT INC
“The basement floor has a large entertainment space with a small pantry. Along with a personalised home theatre, it also has a study area which is directly accessible from outside. Clubbed with the bar and separated from the dining area by way of furniture, the drawing establishes itself as an open space, providing complete visibility of the entire basement,” says architect Anika Mittal Dhawan. The basement also has an in-house home theatre along with sliding-folding doors which when opened, create a seamless space between the dining and the drawing room. “The powder room in here has a dual-tone cyan wall which is highlighted by the use of subtle Italian marble on the remaining walls and stunning drop mixer,” says Dhawan. The best part? The whole space is automated by Anusha Technovision. What Homecast Residence
Location Greater Kailash, New Delhi
Area 1,450 sq ft
Tip Bathroom construction in the basement is simple when the existing drain is deep enough. Contingent upon the existing plumbing, various options for WC are available such as pressure-assisted toilet, up-flushing toilet and composting toilets, to name a few.
COOK UP A STORM
“We dug a basement in an existing Mews House and created a personal kitchen and family room. The room opens out to a small landscaped outdoor deck, made possible by bringing down a light well from the floor above,” says interior architect Rajiv Saini. Since it was an old home with common shared walls with the neighbours, the major challenge Saini faced was to prop up the entire house, while they dug below to create the basement. “Light was brought in by way of a light well, and cutting another area of the ceiling to ensure adequate natural light. The landscaped outdoor deck ensures natural ventilation as well,” says Saini. What
Mews House Location
South Kensington, London
Area 1,000 sq ft Tip Natural light is as important as the ventilation in a basement and should not be ignored.
WORK IT OUT
Located in the basement, Anagram Architects’ new office is much larger than the previous establishment and has long, broad tables and open plan spacing. “The unique entrance staircase has immediate appeal and was envisioned as a public-ish zone where people from within the creative field could sit and unwind/interact,” says architect Vaibhav Dimri. To tackle the lack of natural light in the basement there are skylights and light wells skirting the external basement walls which throw in diffused light as the day progresses. “In addition, the back wall of one
sky lit gallery displays a large mural of a mechanistic ant, which quirkily flanks the visual expanse of the studio,” says architect Madhav Raman. What Anagram Architects Office Location Hauz Khas, New Delhi Area 300 sq m
Tip At least one part of the common area in the basement should get natural light.
EXTENSION OF THE LIVING ROOM
“We had to design a contemporary weekend home where the site had contoured levels. So skylights were introduced that let natural light filter in through a large stairwell volume into this space,” says architect Krupa Zubin. As you enter this semi-recessed space with fish ponds on either side of a small staircase, it feels like an extension of the main living area. “The indoor pool here is definitely a ‘chill out zone’ for the family and the idea was to have it connected to the rest of the home visually,” says architect Zubin Zainuddin. Therefore, as one steps down into this level, the material surfaces of natural wood on the floor and the use of outdoor furniture makes the space look and feel like a welcoming part of the home. “In such a space, lighting plays an important role. The ceiling has a fibre optic installation that livens up the space in the evening,” adds Krupa. An interesting feature is the effect of stacked glass on the grand stairway that is different during the course of the day as the skylight filters in light from dusk to dawn. What
Weekend Home Location Thrissur, Kerala Tip Being a part of the architectural phase of a project helps us plan and integrate design and service solutions. Besides this, effective planning of the space both during the day and night is critical. Play with natural light as much as possible during the day and create a well lit experience in the night.
DOUBLE THE FUN
Though the brief for the basement was clear, it was anything but simple. “It had to incorporate the kitchen and dining room of this home along with a bedroom, bathroom, powder room, utility room, lounge and a study,” says architect Narayan Moorthy, adding, “The unique property also adjoins large green areas on two sides which we wanted visible from as many daily use areas of the home as possible. We were unwilling to compromise on this even from the basement.” So, there’s an extensive use of large glazing internally to separate and divide rooms in the basement while maximising views through expansive exterior glazings. “We have also used a number of well-placed proportionate sunken courts with plantation and water features as light, view and air sources,” says Moorthy. Another challenge was to maximise the connect of this sunken basement to make it feel like an extension of the floor which an optimally sized double height space fulfils. What Private Residence
Location Vasant Vihar, New Delhi
Area 1,800 sq ft
Tip Plan the plumbing in the basement well. In this project we have used sumps drained by good quality automatic pumps to dispose of sullage generated by kitchen and bathrooms and the rainwater that falls into the sunken courts.