Crafting with timber and grey: three residential projects

From a renovated house in Ahmedabad, India, to a transformed 1970s Los Angeles home, and reimagined apartments in Melbourne, explore how architects use timber and grey to craft unique and harmonious living spaces.

VS House

Situated on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India, the VS House prioritizes the use of materials to create a sensory experience for its residents. The living spaces feature herringbone-patterned grey Kota stone flooring, complemented by teak wall panels, window frames, and intricately patterned timber furniture. In the study area, which is fully clad in timber, the desk showcases a unique combination of spherical and cubic forms. The grey stone flooring under the spherical shape enhances the dynamic feel of the space.

In the bedroom areas, wooden panels serve as a distinctive element for the headboard, extending to the entrance floors and wardrobes. The flooring surrounding the bed is adorned with the same grey Kota stone, complemented by black and white patterned rugs.

Elegant flecked black and grey tiles decorate the walls and floors of the bathrooms, where strategically placed emerald-toned marble accents and a chic wooden vanity complete the design.

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The Hide Out

In Los Angeles, 'The Hide Out' residence, initially envisioned by Frank Gehry, was transformed by Dan Brunn Architecture. The final design adheres to a minimalist aesthetic, characterized by white walls and floors finished with concrete. This simple backdrop provides the foundation for the architectural elements inspired by Gehry's aesthetic and the displayed artworks.

The ground floor features a deliberate arrangement of key areas, such as the kitchen, living room, dining room, and a studio, close to a pre-existing expansive skylight adorned with a fabric covering for gentle diffusion of light. The living area features a large charcoal rug, an expansive sofa upholstered in gray fabric, and a set of black-and-tan leather sling chairs by Jean Prouvé.

A walnut staircase serves as an homage to Gehry's artistic vision, showcasing a dynamic parametric wall on one side that echoes his distinctive sculptural designs. This wooden theme extends to the exceptional reading space, where a spacious wooden enclosure resembles a hollow walnut box with a sloped roof, beautifully illuminated by a thin strip of light and transitioning to expansive glass doors.

Check out this material selection inspired by The Hide Out!

Cirqua Apartments

Cirqua Apartments, designed by BKK Architects, present a contemporary reimagining of traditional residential architecture in suburban Melbourne, featuring brick, standing seam metal, and timber partitions. Large brick structures, extending at different levels and creating spacious terraces, define the architectural concept, where each unit features distinctive oculi, allowing plenty of natural light to flood the interiors.

The living areas, kitchens, and dining spaces inside these apartments extensively showcase light wooden flooring, contrasting with the dark grey tiles and the brick façade used on the balconies. In the kitchen, elegant white marble adorns the backsplash, while sleek silk white finishes are used for the cabinets and the kitchen island.

The oculi theme is carried through with round mirrors and glossy white penny mosaic tiles in the bathrooms, contrasted by matte black flooring tiles. The round design influence extends into the corridors, where small domes carved out of the ceiling surface serve as light sources.

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Visit Saransh Studio's project "VS House"

Visit Dan Brunn Architecture's project "The Hide Out"

Visit BKK Architects' project "Cirqua Apartments"