An Urban House by MISA Architects – Redefining Contemporary Living in Ankleshwar, India

Located on a bustling street in Ankleshwar, An Urban House designed by MISA Architects challenges the conventional notion of urban homes as closed, fortress-like structures. Instead of retreating inward, this 6,650 ft² residence (completed in 2022) embraces an inside-out architectural concept that merges privacy with openness, while engaging the community beyond its walls.

Inside-Out Design Concept

The design revolves around a central open courtyard—the heart of the home that brings together circulation, communal activities, and natural ventilation. This courtyard acts as a dynamic spatial connector, branching into semi-private zones such as the living, dining, and kitchen. Each of these spaces maintains a visual and physical relationship with the courtyard while ensuring varying degrees of privacy.

The living room is strategically placed at the quieter end of the house, while the floating stairway with breezy treads adds elegance and lightness to the design.

Spatial Hierarchy and Vastu Principles

On the upper floor, the bedrooms transition into the private realm, planned in accordance with ancient Vastu Shastra principles. Their orientation optimizes natural light, airflow, and thermal comfort throughout the day. Interiors follow a minimalist design language, with understated finishes and a material palette that emphasizes timelessness. Instead of ornamental clutter, the house relies on stone patterns, motifs, and Rangoli-inspired flooring, which celebrate traditional Indian craft in a contemporary way.

Materiality and Construction Techniques

The home is wrapped in 18-inch cavity brick walls, designed to balance thermal insulation, noise reduction, and structural efficiency. These custom-designed cavity bonds minimize material use while maintaining durability and aesthetic appeal. To optimize costs, conventional bricks were used for internal surfaces, while continuous concrete bands at sill and lintel levels reinforced wall strength.

The brick façade thus becomes more than an envelope—it is a climate-responsive skin, filtering light, air, and views while grounding the house in its urban context.

Public and Private Thresholds

Unlike typical urban residences that distance themselves from the street, this house blurs the boundary between private and public realms. The compound walls feature shaded sit-outs and small openings, inviting passers-by to pause and rest. Aligned to the south, these perforated walls provide shading throughout the day in Ankleshwar’s hot and dry climate.

This gesture transforms the residence into more than a private dwelling—it becomes an extension of the street culture, reminiscent of vernacular Indian urbanism where homes once nurtured social interaction at their thresholds.

A Contemporary Ode to Vernacular Indian Architecture

An Urban House by MISA Architects is not just a residence; it is a statement on urban living in India. By embracing community integration, climatic responsiveness, and timeless design, it reinterprets the essence of traditional Indian homes in a contemporary context. Instead of isolation, the house fosters connection—between family members, between indoors and outdoors, and between private life and the city beyond.

All photographs are works of Inclined Studio