Thirdspace Architecture Studio has unveiled The Pool Pavilion, a groundbreaking residential project that masterfully integrates water, light, and spatial harmony within a densely populated urban neighborhood in Belagavi, India. The innovative design centers around a semi-open swimming pool pavilion that serves dual purposes as both a climate control mechanism and an experiential extension of daily domestic life. This unique architectural approach transforms traditional residential design by placing water at the heart of the spatial composition.
The eastern portion of the property has been reimagined as a distinctive pool pavilion, characterized by striking terracotta screens and an elegant glass canopy overhead. This carefully designed zone functions as a crucial transitional space between the home's interior and exterior areas, effectively managing natural light penetration, temperature regulation, and privacy concerns for residents. The architectural strategy creates a sophisticated buffer zone that enhances the living experience while addressing practical environmental challenges.
The home's public spaces are strategically positioned between the transparent pool enclosure and the solid private living block, establishing a thoughtfully planned sequence of interconnected volumes that achieve an ideal balance between openness and enclosure. Carefully planned sectional openings throughout the structure enable layered visual connections across different spaces, while soft reflected light from the pool surface creates dynamic lighting effects that continuously animate the interior spaces throughout the day.
The architectural plan strictly adheres to traditional Vastu principles while simultaneously maintaining exceptional spatial flexibility for modern living needs. The overall design philosophy seeks to achieve perfect equilibrium between programmatic density requirements and the creation of an open, breathable living environment, successfully aligning the clients' specific requirements with both environmental considerations and contextual neighborhood constraints.
The challenging site conditions demanded the accommodation of multiple essential functions within severely limited space, including parking facilities for seven vehicles, comprehensive service areas, four bedrooms, a fully equipped home theater, and the swimming pool. The architects successfully resolved these complex spatial requirements through a series of precisely calibrated architectural moves and innovative space planning strategies.
The residence is elevated on a substantial high plinth, a design decision that allows the semi-ground floor level to efficiently house all service areas within a compact, well-organized layout. This strategic elevation frees the upper ground level entirely for primary living zones, which are thoughtfully organized along a clear north-south architectural spine that maximizes natural light and ventilation.
The swimming pool occupies the prominent eastern edge of the property, effectively transforming what would typically be a required setback area into a functional and beautiful semi-open pavilion space. This pavilion is distinctively defined by decorative terracotta jaalis (perforated screens) on three sides and topped with a sophisticated glazed roof structure above, creating a unique architectural feature that contributes significantly to passive cooling by naturally moderating both temperature and humidity levels throughout the year.
The pool pavilion also serves as a central focal element within the home's spatial hierarchy, creating seamless connections between the living and dining areas through adjacent decks and comfortable sit-out spaces. The interior design employs a carefully restrained palette of high-quality timber finishes and sophisticated neutral tones, beautifully complemented by diffused natural daylight and mesmerizing reflections from the pool surface that create ever-changing light patterns throughout the day.
The thoughtful use of natural materials combined with expert light modulation techniques supports the home's impressive environmental responsiveness while establishing a calm, serene visual identity that promotes relaxation and well-being. Externally, the building maintains a measured, predominantly opaque architectural expression that creates an intriguing contrast with the remarkable openness and transparency of its interior configuration, offering privacy while maintaining connection to the surrounding neighborhood.
