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Photography: Noughts & Crosses

New Delhi-based team3 designed the Mehra Residence, a residential project that remains connected to its surrounding landscape, bringing in views, daylight, fresh air, and tranquility. Located in an upscale residential neighborhood, the four-story home overlooks Delhi Ridge, a reserved forest corridor that is the largest green zone in the city. The facade overlooking the Ridge comprises deep balconies and fenestrations to bring in natural light and circumvent the heat glare. Wooden louvers screen the balconies and interior spaces from the harsh Delhi heat while facilitating ventilation and openness.

Set in a triangular plot, the fluid floor plan spanning 2090 sq. ft. opens out onto a front lawn on the ground floor and balconies and terraces on the upper levels. Floor plates are arranged around a central circulation core, with the ground floor comprising a lobby, an expansive living area, a dining space, and a kitchen. There are five bedrooms accommodated on the first, second, and third floors, along with a spacious family lounge on the third floor.

On each floor, balconies are placed to ensure expansive openings that act as private breakout spaces with views of the surrounding landscape. As one reaches the terrace floor, a landscaped deck overlooks the Ridge across the road. The home aligns with passive climatic strategies to maintain cool internal temperatures throughout the year. The balconies open onto the south and the southwest side of the plot, bringing in the westerly breeze. Apart from acting as effective shading devices, the vertical screens also offer privacy. The interior design uses deep tones of wooden-finished flooring, complemented by white walls and full-length glass windows inviting in natural lighting.