JD House

About Project

“A union between modern residential design and nature, JD House speaks of a design
hybrid between landscape and graceful aging of materiality”

The house is an embodiment of an ‘out-of-the-box’ design thought process which has been implemented in a unique manner amidst a set of design challenges. The architectural solution has therefore been intentionally executed to set a diverse tone for the introduction of a minimalist design outlook in a communal household.

The design response embodies an atmosphere of connectivity within the family unit through a central courtyard surrounded by a U-shaped building. The aged Ficus Benjamina which serves as the focal point of the courtyard promotes the importance of a tightly knit household- a core aspect of the client brief. The courtyard which is surrounded by glass all around creates a sense of visual and acoustic connection between the residents and promotes a synchronized way of living in a single-unit household.

The concept of graceful aging is brought into limelight by the overall visual appeal of the house which has been achieved through the marriage of Travertine cladding and the aged tree. Both features although may seem like contradictory design elements, portray the Ying- Yang relationship by complementing each other and adding to the poetic diversity of the architectural semantics of the building structure.

This single-family residence celebrates the concept of communal living within the household. The idea of communal living is addressed via living spaces that facilitate the distinct lifestyle of the client. As the client’s father is an active member of the local politics in Islamabad, the hosting of influential political figures as guests was consequently addressed through a residential design that is grand in scale, yet sober in its overall disposition.

Moreover, the living spaces on the ground floor surrounding the anchor tree facilitate the client’s parents and guests. These spaces have been designed to be accessible and include the main lobby, living room, drawing room, dining area, and master bedroom. The upper floor, used by the client’s wife and his two daughters, has been designed in a manner that acoustically and visually connects them to the ground level with his parents whilst giving them privacy upstairs.

The basement level otherwise treated as the ‘man-cave’, has designed as an individualized space for the client. This section of the house includes a guest unit, an indoor gym, state of the art movie theatre, kitchen bar, sauna, and an office space with independent access. Landscaping as a key design element has been incorporated within the interior and exterior spaces of the house. On the ground level this has been poetically addressed via the central courtyard and the lawn area with its diverse flora and sculptural features. On the upper floor and rooftop levels, one can observe the provision of views of the Margalla Hills via a rooftop garden, and private terraces. Interior planters and sculptural elements are observed on the upper floor level of the house through pocketed spaces as well. The basement level also enjoys green spaces such as sunken patios that serve as lightwells. Paired with bespoke sculptural features in the sunken patios, the basement area is also treated in a unique and evocative manner that enriches the overall sensorial user experience.