Less house more home

The spectacular traditional home of Rohit Ranjitkar in the alleys of Patan shows Moin Uddin how small can also be beautiful

12 years ago, Rohit Ranjitkar, an architect, was looking for an old traditional house in an urban setting with tranquil environment to settle in. After looking at multiple options he had his heart set on this 150 years old house. 

When he initially bought the house he says that it was in a dilapidated condition. After a couple of years he refurbished the house and finally decided to move in with his family.

“This new location was closer to my office and I finally realised my dream to live close to a heritage site (Patan Durbar Square),” says Ranjitkar. The house is built on two annas of land and is five storeys tall with four bedroom and six bathrooms. Ranjitkar has mostly employed old used wood from the salvage shops while renovating the house. For flooring and roof he has used pine wood as well as shorea robusta wood for the stanchions.

He has creatively placed warm lighting to create a very pleasant feel to the house. Also to make the most of the small area he has used the basic design elements of a studio apartment.

Master bedroom

The spacious master bedroom is an oasis of calm and a true retreat from the hassles of everyday living. It’s the most restful, romantic, and functional area. Ranjitkar enjoys watching television using the mounted projector above his bed. The wall opposite serves as his screen.

Bathroom

In this lavatory, the sink, toilet and fittings are locally sourced; the cabinets are made of wood, the walls are clad in off white colour, and the flooring is pinewood.

Kitchen

The kitchen, acts as the heart and hub of the household alongside the dining area. Ranjitkar has carefully planned and designed every detail of this room. He used a modern open concept with stainless steel countertop, an undermount sink and brunette cabinets. “This is our happy place. We spend most of our time here and also entertain our guests here,” says Ranjitkar.

Children’s bedroom

“A child’s bedroom is a safe haven, a place of comfort and a manifestation of identity as they grow,” says Ranjitkar. He has made it as spacious as the master bedroom for his children to play, hang out and study. He has placed low beds for his two children.

Rohit Ranjitkar is the Country Director of Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust.

A version of this article appears in print on February 18, 2016 of The Himalayan Times.