Project brief - Villa 91 is the aspirational dream of a retired District Judge who wanted to make a 5 BHK mansion for him and his future generations who would call it a home for decades to come. The house was planned to have huge rooms, living areas, sky light / aangan, large library for Law books, huge balconies, kitchen, washrooms and common spaces. The presence of natural light in all rooms was an important criteria to be fulfilled with ample amount of ventilation. ​

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Design process - The project began with a sense of guilt over undoing the damage to a green patch of forest land. While fulfilling the client’s aspirations, the planning also sought to address the loss caused by clearing a mango grove for urban expansion. The grove, which supplied mangoes nationally and internationally, was systematically destroyed using chemicals to justify its removal. A central courtyard was designed as a green buffer and a tribute to the lost greenery, though it was a discreet and ultimately insufficient attempt to compensate for the environmental impact. The use of natural materials and rustic finishes reflected the down to earth nature of the client. Primarily the finishes chosen were white, wood and terracotta bricks. The design and aesthetics was as simple yet powerful as the personality of the client himself.​

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Design description - The Villa 91 is a house built amidst mango orchards of a village in Lucknow. The house is the direct derivation of a retired District judge who wanted to build a humble house with an impactful facade in a limited budget. The two perpendicular brick walls sandwich a huge overhang protruding out as a balcony. The dual facade complimenting each other is also a reminder of the scale of justice which holds the law equal for all irrespective of anything. Just like the huge parametric wall, the interior spaces are also huge with double height living area and a single flight metal staircase with teak steps going to the first floor. All the rooms are adorned with a bay window. The rest of the house is all pure white in finish without any false ceiling at any place. The front facade was intentionally left in a composition of grey, white and red brick to be engulfed partially by bougenvilla and orange bell flower in the coming years.