Kailash Sadan, 1957
Location : Katra Kushal Rai, Chandni Chowk
Architect : Om Prakash Goel
Patron : Aggarwal Family
People : Ram Prakash Mistri, Shrimati Kailashwati
Nestled on a corner plot in Gali Mata Wali of Chandni Chowk, Kailash Sadan is an interesting amalgamation of the Art Deco and Streamline Moderne style. When Shahjahanabad was changing its spatial language, the Jains of Katra Kushal Rai sold off a part of their property to Aggarwals, who were their tenants. Given the division between older structures, the residents and their architect devised a method to open up the corner for them, yet providing a characteristic feature. This turned out to be their lofty balcony, attached to their staircase. In its form, the building has a tripartite facade with a rising central entrance tower, with cantilevered projections wrapping around the windows and curved balconies of this residence. The interiors can be seen having the main staircase with a curving soffit and beautiful use of terrazzo throughout the house. The house also has a central courtyard and an open kitchen which along with the staircase balcony, makes it a well ventilated and lit residence.
The construction started in late 1955/56, completed in 1957 and was designed by an architect named Om Prakash Goel along with Ram Prakash mistri. The house is named after the current owner’s mother - Shrimati Kailashwati.
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Image Copyrights : Rishi Kochhar x Deco In Delhi Acknowledgements : Aggarwal Family
Tripartite Facade
An architectural typology where the axis at the corner is often concave or faceted and treated like the entrance bay, with side wings often detailed with eyebrows, horizontal speedlines / vertical louvres
Curved Balconies
Balcony projections from facades often have curving edges, which adds the notion of flow and smooth edges to the profile. Often eyebrows or eyelids accompany the balconies
Eyebrows
Continuous overhangs as sunshades, curving as the profile of the building, specially continuing around corners
Staircases
Staircases under Art Deco showcase simple clean flights, soffits which smoothly curved towards the subsequent floor, forming a pivotal space in the buildings
Porthole Windows
Circular windows evoked from nautical themes, signifying buildings as ocean liners. These windows sometimes further possess a motif to form a ventilator.
Terrazzo Finish
A mix of Coloured cement with Terrazzo works adding to the details of craftsmanship within the style. Vibrant coloured floors were common to Art Deco interiors and coloured cement further enhanced the details