The Side Gallery House is, in many respects, a natural continuation of the Three Streams House. Both are located on the same site, designed simultaneously, yet constructed in phases.
Situated at the lower edge of a steep, densely forested terrain, the house is approached via intersecting ravines. Nearby, Sanxi House lies just beyond the site boundary on a gentler slope. The location is the project’s defining feature: to the east stands the Tung Fort hill fortress; the landforms are unique and the forest thick, creating a distinctive climate. Notably, the large Pawna Dam to the north-east and the low hills to the south and southwest generate prevailing wind currents, while the strong monsoon rains cascade down the slopes.
The house is designed on two levels: the upper floor serves as the public area, while the lower level houses sleeping quarters and mechanical rooms. The roof follows the stepped terrain, adapting to the site’s gradual elevation changes. It undulates, leans, and hovers, preserving the natural landscape and existing shade trees, creating a framework for views both near and far. The feather-shaped rafters of the roof intertwine with the “tree” shaped supporting structure below, anchoring the building naturally within the sloping landscape.
The original Xuanwu rock wall serves as the foundation for the building’s functional layout. This stone, transforming from a heavy natural element into architectural features, is versatile—found in a variety of residences from historic to modern rural homes and even fortresses. The Side Gallery House does not evoke ordinary novelty but rather a familiar, fleeting sensation that resonates deep within, reflecting the surrounding environment and history throughout the design.
Approaching the house, a cylindrical projection emerges from the landscape, symbolizing the fortress. The residential layout blends the artificial (crafted) with the natural (discovered), avoiding obvious entry points or rigid boundaries. This creates a seamless flow of space and movement. The residence behaves like a living organism, seeking balance within nature—a uniquely stable internal environment.
Project Drawings
△ Base Analysis Chart
△ Hand-Drawn Sketch
△ Hand-Drawn Sketch
△ Hand-Drawn Sketch
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Roof Plan
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
△ Exploded Diagram
Project Information
Architect: Malik Architecture
Area: 12,883 ft²
Year: 2022
Photographers: Bharath Ramamrutham, Edmund Sumner
Lead Architects: Kamal Malik, Arjun Malik, Meghana Tipnis, Netramohan Changmai, Sundeep Sarangi
Interior Contractors: Rajesh Parmar, Manoj Suthaar
Pipeline Contractor: Raju Bhai
Roofing: Epopsi Strumat
Location: Pune, India
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up