The Terra Cotta Facade Frames Light and Connection at Prakashalay | Associated Architects (i) Pvt. Ltd.

Situated in a dense neighborhood of Surat, Prakashalay is a residence shaped by light, circulation, and spatial relationships, with a striking terra cotta facade. Designed by Associated Architects (I) Pvt. Ltd., an Ahmedabad-based design studio, the original residence was built in 2003 for a family of doctors on a 300 sq. yard site.

The Terra cotta Facade Frames Light and Connection at Prakashalay | Associated Architects (i) Pvt. Ltd.

Scaling Up While Staying Grounded

Over the last two decades, their growing family and evolving needs demanded for an expansion and the client decided to double their existing plot to 600 sq. yards. Prakashalay is a 14,000 sq. ft. residence, on a narrow plot with 1:3 ratio, explores openness and transparency in a vertically stacked home, yet stays rooted in the Indian way of living.

The residence is structured with a concrete framework and traditional brick masonry. A terracotta-hued exterior defines the built form, with each floor stepping back to create setbacks, framing levels as the building rises.

This rhythmic layering not only shapes the façade but also allows light and ventilation to flow through the spaces. At the entrance, a brass door introduces a sense of warmth, contrasting with the otherwise muted material palette.

Inside, the flooring choice makes a striking impact. Leather finish black granite runs through the house, an unconventional selection in Indian households where lighter tones are often preferred due to maintenance and cleaning being an important factor.

However, given the sheer amount of natural light streaming in, the dark floors ground the space without making it feel heavy. The surfaces react to changing light conditions throughout the day, adding another dimension to the interiors.

The lower ground floor features riverwash kota stone flooring in the parking, utility areas and verandahs. The flooring transitions into polished kota stone in the interior spaces of the lower ground floor.

Art plays a very important role in this house and can also be perceived as a material for the dimensionality, texture and warmth that it adds to the space. The entrance features a wall art over the console, backed by wooden posts and a cane mesh that functions as a screen.

A Home of Visual and Spatial Links

At AAPL, the design team decided to challenge the site constraints and ensure maximum visual and physical connections between each space.

At the center of it all is a staggered double-height volume flowing through the family room and the reading lounge. As a result, it carves out a sense of openness while maintaining a hierarchy of privacy.

This core allows for uninterrupted sightlines between floors, reinforcing a sense of togetherness within the multi-generational household.

The double-height reading lounge is a key spatial moment, defined by an 18-foot-tall red artwork that anchors the space. Across the house, colors flow with intention—some bring calm, others spark energy. Together, they ultimately shape the feeling of being at home.

Few families offer the rare opportunity to design a project twice—two decades apart, on the same land, for the same people.

Having understood how the family lived in their previous home, the architects were able to respond to both past and present. Consequently, the architects crafted this new iteration to support how the family would live in the future.

The result is a house that is deeply personal and rooted in identity. Yet, it remains adaptable, embracing change while staying connected to its origins.