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URBAN CASA
by Planet Design And Associates

made with love in India

URBAN CASA | PLANET DESIGN AND ASSOCIATES 3

Project Location : Ludhiana, Punjab

Architectural Firm : Planet Design And Associates

Principal Architect : Ar. Talwinder Panesar

Head Designer : Manjinder Panesar

Plot Area : 10,000 sq. ft.

Built-up Area : 9500 sq. ft.
No. of Bedrooms :5
No. of Car Parks :3
Start Date : October 2019
End Date : January 2022
Project Cost : 5500-6000 INR per sq. ft.

“The facade combines mass and void; it has two blocks conjoined by a terrace punctuated
by vertical louvres to give a light and airy feel.”
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Introduction
Urban Casa, situated in Ludhiana, is a luxury home for a family of four. Owing to
the clients’ desire for a creative and artistic house, the architect’s interpretation
of the brief was richly designed interiors encased in a minimalist facade.
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Evolution of Form
The stacking of blocks over one another in this South-facing site
helped create projections to prevent direct heat from entering
the house. Some of these are planned as a modernised version
of the traditional North-Indian verandahs, which double up as
spaces for congregation and cross ventilation.
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Entrance Walkway
The entrance to the house is through a projection
designed as the modern interpretation of the traditional
verandah. Granite flooring planned as stepping stones
leads to the main entrance. The projection has two
metal sections combined to form a single column. The
landscaped pathway against the granite backdrop
establishes the rustic appeal of the space.
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Contrast between Exterior and Interior

A minimalist facade greets one from the road, but the
house slowly reveals a different story as you go inside.
Straight lines and distinct blocking signify this 10,000 sq.
ft. residence, of which landscape forms a significant part.
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URBAN CASA | PLANET DESIGN AND ASSOCIATES 15
N

DAUGHTER BED
ROOM
17'-0" X 13'-0"

Toilet/dress
13'-10 21 " x 11'-9"

DRAWING / DINNING
30'-721" X 16'-3"
POW. ROOM
5'-6" X 7'-712"
LIFT
5'-6" X 5'-3"

SON BEDROOM
14'-0" X 19'-1012"

PUJA ROOM
7'-9" X 7'-6"
Marble
Lvl.±0'' Chips Glass Floor
Veneer Lvl.-6''
on wall Lvl.+6'' foyar lvl +36"

Planter

Deck
ENTRANCE (lvl. +3541")

25

UP
Wood 25'-3" X 9'-0"
TOILET Lvl.±0''
UP

1
9'-1012" X 17'-6" RISE = 634 "

23
TREAD = 0 '-11"
WIDTH = 4 '-0"

3
NO OF

21
STEPS = 25
DRESS
7'-0" X 8'-6" EPBAX CCTV

5
Office
11'-6" X 12'-0"

19
Wood
Lvl.±0''

7
17
OR

9
15
W.I.W
10'-412" X 7'-412"

11
13
KITCHEN
17'-0" X 14'-0"

P
TOILET LIVING
12'-9" X 8'-3" 15'-0" X 19'-0"
HEAVY .KITCHEN
15'-6" X 5'-1012"
P
M
DRESS
MASTER BED
ROOM A
15'-6" X 19'-3" +24"
Step lvl +24"
9'-1021" X 6'-112"

SPIRAL

Planter
D
(lvl.±0)
Lawn lvl +20" 3" wd.
bunni
G
(lvl.+24")

Lawn lvl +18"

Deck
MS PIPE
lvl +24"
W.I.W
12'-9" X 9'-0" 4"x4"
Coble Stone

Granite Leather Finish

lvl.+1712"
lawn lvl +24"

PORCH PORCH

grass slope 6"

Ground Floor Planning TOILET

Grass

5'-0" X 7'-6"

A cut-out divides the house into two zones - public and private. B.O.S 7'-0"

The public zone includes the living area, drawing room, dining area
PR
and kitchen. The private zone has three bedrooms for the family - Step
Granite Leather Finish
4"x4"
Coble Stone
Guard

the master bedroom and the kids’ bedrooms. On the ground floor, room

the two zones are connected through a wooden deck, while a Rail For
Slide Gate Porch lvl +18"
Drain Jalli

glass bridge connects them on the first floor.

Ramp
(As/Other Drawing)
Road Lvl. ±0"

Ramp
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Drawing and Dining Room

As one enters through the main entrance, the fluted glass partitions conceal the opulent drawing and dining room. A single
space divided into two using a suspended wall designed in black metal and tile, it’s a well-lit space. Triple slit windows in the
drawing room and full-height windows in the dining area admit daylight and help maintain the indoor-outdoor connection.
Artistic sculptures adorn these spaces adding to the luxe appeal of this contemporary home.
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Kitchen
Designed in tones of grey and black, the kitchen is an
epitome of luxurious sophistication. It is drenched in
natural light during the day, owing to the large window
in front. The segregated cooking kitchen adjoins the
kitchen and has entry from outside for the house-help.
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The Wooden Deck

A wooden deck lined with stone dust marks the
transition from the public areas into the private
zone. The customised sculpture, seated right next
to it, adds to the creative vibe of the house.
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Ventilation and Daylight

Strategically designed to create a cooling tower in the centre of the house, the
public and private blocks connect through a double-height space. This creation
of volume ensures ventilation throughout the house. The projections designed
as per the climate allow one to enjoy the winter sun and admit ample daylight.
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Living Room
The living room transcends the boundaries between the
interiors and exteriors with the outdoor deck that offers
direct views of the lawn. A focal point of the house, the
living room has an undulated granite wall, which forms
the backdrop for the LED cabinet.
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Daughter’s Bedroom
A minimal vibe defines the daughter’s room with
the wallpaper in monochrome tones. A simple
artwork adorns another wall and the window
provides a view of a verandah and greens.
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Master Bedroom
The master bedroom is a monochromatic space
with additions of colour by the bright fabric of
the bed and the veneer panelling that hides the
washroom and dressing area.
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Outdoor Deck (Verandah)

The South-facing block has the master bedroom
positioned along the facade opening onto a wooden
deck. The fabricated deck is supported by metal pipes.
This extension acts as a verandah for the residents to sit
out and enjoy the rain or winter sun.
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Son’s Bedroom
A window looks onto the rear verandah in the
son’s bedroom. The room has a four-poster bed
against a veneer-cladded wall, thus continuing
the use of nature-related finishes in the house.
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Suspended Staircase
The staircase forms the highlight of the house. A black
Spanish grey stone forms the backdrop for the staircase
that has a sculptural quality. The use of aluminium cables
gives it a suspended feel, and the steps made of natural
wood contrast well with the dark-coloured stone.
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Staircase Detail
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BALCONY

Ms work
TOILET Wall Hung Jacuzzi
31'-5" x 13'-0" Seat

STORE
9'-6" x 16'-3"

OUTDOOR SEATING
25'-0"X 16'-9"

Steam Bath

LIFT PANTRY
5'-6" X 5'-3" 5'-6" x 5'-3"
Entry

BED ROOM
18'-0" X 28'-121" UP

5'-0"
GLASS BRIDGE

Down

3'-6"
2'-0"
Wall Hung
Seat
BATH
WC

TOILET
13'-9"X10'-9"

HALL
DRESS 21'-012" x 30'-0"
12'-9" X 8'-121"

PARENTS BEDROOM
22'-3"X14'-0"

SPIRAL

W.I.W
14'-9" X 11'-9"

1"
9'-52

First Floor Planning

The public and private spaces on the first floor are joined by a
glass bridge. This also enhances the connectivity between the
two floors. The private areas constitute two bedrooms – a guest
bedroom and parents’ bedroom while the public spaces include
the entertainment lounge and terrace.
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Glass Walkway
The glass walkway is a transition from the private
to the public spaces on the first floor of the house.
It leads to the terrace and entertainment lounge,
and is characterised by a glass railing overlooking a
green pocket. The walkway gives an illusion of being
suspended, thanks to the aluminium cables.
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Entertainment Lounge
The 15-seater theatre and bar area on the upper floor has customised wooden
Lighting Detail lighting designed as a combination of triangular forms. The room uses grid
panelling and acoustic material to absorb maximum sound, giving it one of the
best home theatre experiences.
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Terrace
A wonderful evening sit-out during winter evenings for
drinks and barbeque, the terrace has a relaxed vibe and
a seating arrangement to host friends and family. The
stone-cladded wall in the bar area complements the
rustic vibe.
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Landscaping
Landscaping forms an integral part of this home, and
it has been planned with detail and precision. Both
imported plantations and indigenous plants dot the
house. It feels like the landscape guides you inside, and
the connection with nature doesn’t fade even when one
has entered the house. The full-height glass windows
used generously in all the public and private areas only
reinforce the virtual and physical connection.
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Material Palette
The material palette is rather neat – it comprises stone,
wood and textured paint. Aluminium louvres, coated
to give a wooden look, are used to add character to
the otherwise minimalist facade. The strips of wood
for the fenestrations are imported from Indonesia.
Technowood’s natural wood veneer, in maple grey is
also used with granite stone.
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Elevation
To design a Vastu-compliant home, the structure had to have all its edges
align and form a proper rectangle in plan. Each elevation therefore, is
a composition of differently sized blocks stacked against one another,
creating multiple projections.
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Conclusion
Urban Casa embodies both a traditional essence through
the creation of verandahs and a modern contemporary
outlook. Minimalist on the outside, it reveals a different
story inside with its artistic interiors and decor. The
landscape brings together this lavish home, making one
feel like the house is a set in landscape and not the other
way around.
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Wall Finishes
01 / Stone
02/ Fabric
03/ Tile
Unique Material Applications
04/ Veneer 01 02 03 04
Cladding: Tile, Fabric, Veneer, Stone
Flooring: Tile, Italian Marble
Tiles: Invisible Grey (Shree Balaji Tiles Studio)
Lighting: Flos
Sanitaryware and Bath Fittings: Axor
Furniture: Home Interiors India
Furnishing: Naveen Bharat Furnishings Pvt. Ltd.
Modular Kitchen: Nolte
Kitchen Tiles: Diesel
Wallpaper: Glamora

Floor Finishes Key Contributors

05/ Engineered Wood
06/ Italian Marble
07/ Granite 05 06 07 Structural: Er. Jatinder Malhotra
Electrical: The Lights And Beyond
Sculptors: Anuradha Prabhakar, Copper Crush

Photo Credits Inclined Studio

Exterior Finish
08/ Concrete Panel
09/ Outdoor Wood
10/ WPC
11/ Textured White Paint 08 09 10 11
URBAN CASA | PLANET DESIGN AND ASSOCIATES

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