Single Story 10 Marla House Design – Comfort and Elegance in Simplicity

As Pakistan’s urban fabric evolves, the humble single-story home continues to inspire architects and homeowners alike. In cities like Islamabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, the single story 10 Marla house design in Pakistan continues to attract homeowners (although very less than double story 10 Marla house designs) seeking both simplicity and modern comfort.

This article explores why despite space pressures and modern trends, the 10 Marla single-story design remains an enduring favorite. While double and triple story structures dominate new societies, few families, particularly retirees, smaller households, and expats, still seek the simplicity of living on one level.

For us as architects, single story houses are often the most rewarding to design. They demand precision: every square foot must be justified, every circulation route must feel natural, and every room must connect harmoniously to its surroundings. Unlike taller structures, nothing can hide above or below. The entire family’s life unfolds across one plane.

For an overview of layouts, materials, and design approach, read our full guide on 10 Marla House Design in Pakistan – An Architect’s Guide?

Do Single-Story Houses Still Matter in Pakistan?

Despite being overshadowed by multi-story living, the single story 10 Marla house offers unique advantages that resonate deeply with families. For elderly homeowners, it provides a future-proof home with no stairs to navigate. Architects and homeowners exploring modern 10 Marla single story house designs in Pakistan still find these layouts unmatched in functionality and comfort.

Young couples or nuclear families appreciate the intimacy and ease, while overseas Pakistanis see it as the ideal retreat – a low-maintenance, lock-and-leave house that still feels generous in size.

Architect’s Note: We once worked with a retired air commodore in DHA Lahore who told us, “I want a house that I can walk through without effort.” That request shaped the entire design: wide doors, open living areas, and no hidden steps. The home reflected not only his age but his philosophy of simplicity.

Designing the Flow – Circulation and Efficiency

In a single story home, circulation defines comfort. Long corridors can waste precious space, while poorly placed rooms can create awkward transitions. Our approach is always to reduce dead space, circulation and to design plans where movement feels effortless. This principle guides every 10 Marla house layout we develop, especially for single story homes in Pakistan where efficient planning defines the entire experience.

The drawing room is usually placed near the entrance, allowing formal guests to be entertained without crossing into private zones. Or you can also skip on the drawing room entirely. The family lounge then becomes the heart of the house, connecting to the kitchen, bedrooms, and often the lawn. Bedrooms are placed deeper, ensuring privacy and quiet.

This attention to circulation not only saves space but also sets the foundation for meaningful indoor-outdoor relationships, a defining quality of well-designed single-story homes.

Case Study 1: A Minimalist 10 Marla Home near Islamabad

A family in the outskirts of Islamabad wanted a modern single story 10 Marla house that balanced formality with intimacy, a perfect example of how single level home design in Pakistan can feel both practical and elegant. We designed a drawing room that was supposed to be a study room/library with a separate entrance corridor, while the lounge opened directly into the garden. 

Bedroom flanked one side of the lounge, each with large windows for ventilation. The kitchen, semi-open with a service access to the rear, acted as both a family hub and a functional workspace. With the other side opening to a lawn / courtyard, bringing the nature and outdoor space inside.

The result was a layout where nothing felt wasted, each space served a purpose, and movement flowed naturally.

Indoor-Outdoor Connections – Lawns, Courtyards, and Light

Single story homes offer an opportunity that taller structures often struggle with: seamless indoor-outdoor living. A well-placed lawn, courtyard, or verandah can transform the way a family experiences its home. In many contemporary 10 Marla house designs, this balance between indoor and outdoor spaces is what defines modern Pakistani residential architecture.

In Islamabad, we’ve carved out internal courtyards within 10 Marla houses, ensuring that every room faces greenery. Meanwhile in Karachi, living rooms are aligned with sliding glass doors that extend directly into lawns, so family gatherings spill outside naturally.

Architect’s Note: A courtyard is not just an aesthetic gesture. It changes air circulation, draws light deep into the house, and becomes a psychological anchor. Even a modest one can make a single story home feel expansive.

Lifestyle Customization in Single Story Homes

One of the most overlooked strengths of single story houses is how easily they can be tailored to family lifestyles. We’ve designed homes with:

• Dual kitchens (an open show kitchen for entertaining, and a closed dirty kitchen for daily meals).
• Prayer rooms tucked discreetly near living areas.
• Home offices, especially for expats who return temporarily but still work remotely.
• Small libraries or study corners built into lounges.

These examples show how a single story 10 Marla home design in Pakistan can adapt easily to diverse lifestyles, from expats to retirees.

Case Study 2: A Courtyard-Centered Home in Rawalpindi

 A client wanted every room to feel open but private. We designed a compact courtyard in the center of the plan, for their pet dogs. Bedrooms opened onto it through narrow windows, while the lounge spilled into it with sliding glass doors. 

The courtyard became a green heart, visible yet intimate, giving the house a sense of calm in the middle of a bustling city and their pets the very much needed space.

Cost and Maintenance Benefits

From a financial perspective, single story homes are often more affordable to build than their double story counterparts. This cost efficiency makes 10 Marla single story houses especially appealing for small families and overseas Pakistanis seeking long-term value. With no slabs or upper floors, structural costs are lower. Finishing is simpler, too, as there are no staircases, upper balconies, or second-floor bathrooms. 

To understand how construction budgets break down between structure and finishing, see our detailed guide on the Cost of Building a 10 Marla House in Pakistan.

But the real savings emerge in maintenance. Families abroad worry about roofs leaking, upper floors collecting dust, or unused terraces becoming liabilities. A single story house minimizes those concerns.

Challenges of Single Story Designs

It would be incomplete to romanticize single story living without acknowledging its challenges. While the single story 10 Marla plan offers simplicity, its compact footprint demands creative space management – one of the key design challenges in modern Pakistani homes. On a 10 Marla plot, a single story design can feel constrained if not planned carefully. Families often request three or four bedrooms, which can crowd the plan. This is why space allocation and zoning become so critical.

Another challenge is resale. In markets where double story homes dominate, single story houses sometimes appeal to a narrower audience. We usually guide clients that a single story home is best built when it aligns with their long-term lifestyle, not just short-term trends.

Architect’s Note: Single story homes are like poetry, concise and distilled. But just like poetry, every line must carry weight. That is their beauty and their challenge.

Thinking about expanding upward instead? Compare it with our Double Story 10 Marla House Design – Spacious Living for Growing Families to see how vertical layouts change space flow and privacy.

Practical Advice for Homeowners

If you’re considering building a single story 10 Marla house in Pakistan, here are a few essential design principles to guide you.

• Prioritize lifestyle over bedrooms. Four well-proportioned bedrooms will serve better than six cramped ones.
• Think of light and ventilation. Cross ventilation and skylights are invaluable in Pakistan’s climate.
• Integrate outdoor space. A modest courtyard or verandah can elevate the entire design.
• Don’t overspend on facades. A thoughtful layout will impact your life more than ornamentation.

Not sure where to begin your home design journey? Our Residential Design Questionnaire helps you define your needs, lifestyle, and vision – making your first design consultation effortless.

Conclusion

The single story 10 Marla house is not a compromise. It is a deliberate choice, a design that celebrates simplicity, accessibility, and intimacy. For us at Primarc Studio, these homes often become the most personal projects.

Each 10 Marla single story house design we craft reflects our belief that thoughtful planning and natural light matter more than height or ornamentation. They are not about grandeur but about living well: spaces where movement is natural, light is abundant, and outdoor and indoor blend seamlessly.

Architect’s Note: When we look back at our single story projects, what stands out is not their scale but their clarity. They remind us that architecture, at its best, is not about height but about harmony.