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Outré House – New Delhi
Located in Anand Niketan, New Delhi, Outré House explores an alternative approach to contemporary luxury residential architecture by bringing craftsmanship, material expression and nature to the centre of its design.
Designed by Anagram Architects, the residence moves away from an increasing dependence on industrially produced finishes, standardised construction systems and conventional rectilinear forms. Instead, the project looks towards humble materials, handmade construction and carefully crafted architectural details to create a distinctive identity.
Rediscovering Craft and Material
A central idea behind Outré House is to reconnect the process of making with the materials themselves. Rather than treating craftsmanship as decoration applied at selected junctions, handcrafted elements are integrated throughout the architecture.
Bespoke concrete formwork, poured flooring, curved joinery and rhythmically notched masonry demonstrate this approach. These elements move beyond conventional straight-line construction and allow crafted details to become an integral part of the building's overall architectural language.
The result is a residence where material, construction technique and form work together instead of functioning as separate layers.
Curved Architecture and Fluid Spaces
Urban residences are frequently shaped by city grids, development regulations and real-estate requirements, often resulting in rectilinear buildings and compartmentalised interiors.
Outré House challenges this conventional box-like configuration through curvilinear architectural forms.
The curved geometry helps create more fluid spatial arrangements, allowing different areas of the residence to transition smoothly into one another. These interconnected spaces are designed to encourage interaction and social engagement among members of the family.
Instead of relying on repetitive floor plates and rigid room divisions, the residence uses its geometry to establish a more dynamic relationship between spaces.
Bringing Craft and Nature Together
Another defining aspect of Outré House is the relationship between handcrafted architecture and vegetation.
Precisely turned wooden louvres are combined with vertically installed planters, allowing greenery to become closely integrated with the building's architectural and structural expression.
This combination extends into internal landscaped spaces and rooftop gardens, bringing natural elements deeper into the urban residence.
The interaction between timber craftsmanship, planting and curved architectural forms helps distinguish the house from a more conventional industrial aesthetic.
Bespoke Interior Elements
The emphasis on craft continues inside the residence. A bespoke floral chandelier designed by Mann Singh for the lounge combines artistic craftsmanship with the project's broader interest in natural forms.
Through these interventions, Outré House presents luxury not simply through expensive or exotic materials but through customised construction, craftsmanship, spatial experimentation and the integration of nature.
Fact File
Project: Outré House
Location: Anand Niketan, New Delhi
Client: Satish Garg
Architect: Anagram Architects
Design Team: Vaibhav Dimri, Madhav Raman, Ayush Prakash
Site Area: 317.56 sqm
Project Area: 1,356 sqm
Completion Year: 2015
Photo Credit: André J Fanthome