Designed by the Fictional Project, Tiered Realm House and Studio in Chennai, India, was designed for an artistic couple working in mixed media and textile art. This project is not just a living space, but a workplace full of creativity and community. The entire building aims to promote artistic creation and community interaction through a multi-level spatial layout and an open design concept.
The exterior of the building features a fired brick façade that forms a geometric structure that unfolds upwards and aligns parallel to the street edge. This design is not only visually appealing, but also connects the spaces through vertical voids and multi-layered layouts. The overall design of the building makes full use of natural light, bringing in light through roof skylights to illuminate the multiple spatial levels inside.
The staircase inside the home is a key element that organically connects the floors. Each stop of the staircase forms a different area, including spaces for work, rest, and play. The Mixed Media Studio is the largest workspace, and the west side has been carefully designed to filter the natural light that comes in. The textile art studios are arranged along the east side, suggesting the dual nature of collaboration and independent thinking in the process of artistic creation. The work area on the upper level features a system of wooden shutters, providing a quiet working environment.
The exploration of materials in the interior is further proof of the spirit of artistic collaboration. The work areas are padded with sturdy IPS flooring, while the residential spaces are finished with handcrafted Athangudi tiles. The colours of the interior walls were chosen according to the artist's suggestion, with lighter tones used for the workspaces and darker shades including shadows for the rest and sitting-out spaces to create a different atmosphere. Sliding doors at the edge of the street are made from reclaimed wood and showcase the rich local craftsmanship.
The landscaping around the building incorporates local natural elements to create a comfortable outdoor space. The residence's terrace features stepped seating overlooking the lake in the distance, making it the perfect place for end-of-day gatherings.
The project divides the whole, re-layering it in order to discover new relationships that may well be the most relevant metaphor for the architectural process, allowing each "layer" to become its own domain within an interconnected whole.