A vertical street-view perspective of a contemporary 7-marla house biophilic facade detail design featuring a perforated white screen and lush entrance landscaping in Rawalpindi.
A wide-angle street view of biophilic facade, showcasing its geometric volumes, integrated street-side greenery, and sleek modern entrance gate.
CLIENT

Mr. Farman Khan

Project Type

Residential

LOCATION

House 152, Street 03, Block-A, Faisal Margalla City, Rawalpindi

Covered Area

3,230 square feet approx.

Status

2026 - Ongoing

Tags
Architecture design - Interior design - Structure design - Electrical design - Plumbing design - Site Supervision

Navigating Light and Transparency in Faisal Margalla City

Designing for a 7-marla plot always comes down to a game of inches. This is especially true when a client has an ambitious brief. For the Farman House in Faisal Margalla City, we implemented a biophilic facade to manage the south-facing orientation. The site is hit with intense sun throughout the day. Additionally, the client wanted a sense of openness. They specifically requested a ground-floor bedroom and a water body.

The Concept: The Glass Bridge

A full swimming pool proved difficult given the depth of the mid-block site. However, we maintained that sense of “water and light” through the internal layout. The house is split by a central open area. To get from the public entrance to the private heart of the home, you cross a glass bridge. Consequently, this transition allows light to penetrate deep into the plan. This makes a standard-sized house feel significantly more expansive.

The front elevation of Farman House, highlighting the interlocking box volumes, white metal jali screens, and balanced use of wood and stone textures.
A perspective view showing the architectural depth of the 7 marla house, featuring cantilevered slabs and a mix of open and screened balconies.
A detailed view of the ground floor entrance, featuring a minimalist gray gate, linear facade lighting, and vibrant red floral landscaping.
Close-up of the upper floor of a 7-marla house, showing how white perforated screens and wooden louvers provide privacy while allowing light into the residence.

Implementing the Biophilic Facade

The facade is a direct, functional response to the orientation. We used a combination of local limestone for its thermal mass. This was contrasted with fluted panels in a warm wood tone. Furthermore, the most striking element is the custom-fabricated metal screen. This biophilic facade element acts as a trellis for climbing plants. This creates a “living” shield that naturally cools the air. Meanwhile, the vertical louvers ensure privacy from the street without sacrificing ventilation. By focusing on how the house breathes, we managed to fit a complex program into a compact urban lot.

Site Update as of 01 March, 2026

A key focus of this visit was the preparation for the biophilic facade at the Farman House. We reviewed the south-facing masonry to ensure it is ready for the upcoming limestone cladding and fluted panels. The “living shield” concept depends on the structural accuracy of the custom metal screen attachment points, which were verified during this inspection. Ensuring these thermal buffers are correctly positioned now will significantly reduce the building’s energy load once occupied.

Street view of Lovon House in B-17 Islamabad during the brick masonry and grey structure phase.
Top-down view of the central courtyard void and water body foundation at Farman House in FMC.
Detailed view of the internal courtyard and concrete slabs for the Farman House biophilic design.
Internal site photo showing the narrow corridor and concrete bridge structure at the Farman House project.