Concrete, courtyard and quietude

Hinging around a central open core, Habitat Architects designs a home amidst nature

18 Mar 2025

Few things remain eternally classic. Paperbacks, a cup of tea and courtyards in the tropics. Drawing his references from traditional Indian homes, Zafar Masud Chaudhary designs a home in Punjab that revolves around a central court. As the CEO, Founder and Principal Architect of Habitat Architects, he brings an indelible modern interpretation to the typology while retaining its biophilic nature.

“The homeowners envisioned a space where luxury is expressed through simplicity, with an emphasis on natural light, openness, and uninterrupted views of the surroundings,” he adds alongside Monika Choudhary, CDO, Co-Founder & Growth Strategist of Habitat Architects. Housing a multigenerational family in an expansive 11,000 sq ft space, it was also important for the designers to account for the varying needs. Few sections shield the inhabitants, providing privacy while the home opens out to social interactions around the courtyard.

“The courtyard becomes more than just an aesthetic centrepiece. It serves as a functional element, offering cross-ventilation and energy efficiency” — Zafar Masud Chaudhary, Habitat Architects

Inside the living room, neutral shades anchor the space; Photographs by Noughts and Crosses

The public spaces overlook the glass-enclosed courtyard; Photographs by Noughts and Crosses

Traversing traditions

Those of us who have wandered through old Indian homes will know the circulation often begins at the centre. Natural light floods in and breeze surrounds the home. “The courtyard becomes more than just an aesthetic centrepiece. It serves as a functional element, offering cross-ventilation and energy efficiency,” the architect explains. As you step inside, the lush garden seems to follow, keeping a visual dialogue between the indoors and outdoors. Communal spaces like the living room, dining area, and kitchen are arranged around the courtyard, with private rooms tucked at the edges of the home, secluded yet still connected to nature through small courtyards off each bedroom.

Treading lightly

Indian homes, even without intention, have always embraced sustainability. This house is no different, choosing eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems. The courtyard becomes a natural source of light and ventilation, diminishing the home’s reliance on artificial lighting and air conditioning. Locally sourced materials like concrete and wood minimise the environmental impact, while luxuries like Italian marble introduce a touch of elegance. “Sustainability is woven into the design, not as a compromise but as a natural inclusion, with rainwater harvesting and solar systems ensuring environmental mindfulness,” Zafar notes.

Volumetric expressions calibrate the experiences of the home; Photographs by Noughts and Crosses

Stoic materiality grounds the architectural envelope; Photographs by Noughts and Crosses

Honest materiality

The structure celebrates material transparency — bare concrete exterior reveals an industrial aesthetic with an undercurrent of luxury. Inside, Italian marble flooring provides sophistication, while earthy shades of grey and brown dominate, wrapping the space in warmth and calm. The design champions clean lines and minimal decoration, letting the architectural form speak for itself. The result is a space that feels both luxurious and grounded, where natural materials like wood and stone strengthen the connection between inside and out. The home remains anchored in nature and rooted in tradition. But like traditions, Habitat Architects’s interpretation of a courtyard house is an evolution of the typology itself.