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Architecture

2021

Photographer : Palak Javeri

The site is set in Ahmedabad. Entry into the site was restricted to the southeast corner. According to Vastu the entry should always be from the northern or eastern side. This was overcome by providing a long driveway coming from the south to a canopy and then the main entrance into the house is provided from the east. This gave the user a nice avenue to walk through as well as creating a sense of privacy for the bungalow since the main entrance is not right at the entrance of the plot.

Our client has lived previously in a traditional Pol house and he wanted the elements to be reflected and inspired by the historical design of Pol houses. Therefore the concept behind the design was inspired by the same. Throughout the house, we see bits and pieces of history reflected through brilliant design and this keeps the design true to the concept and the rich historical past of Ahmedabad. From the materials, color palette and artwork displayed throughout the home, one can always relate back to the antiquity of Pol houses.

The volume of the entire house is divided into three main zones - public, semi-private, and private. The public zone consists of the entrance foyer, the office, and the Mandir. The semi-private zone includes the living area, the courtyard which binds the house vertically, dining and family area. The last zone comprises of all the bedrooms.

In the basement, there is a swimming pool with an entertainment zone which is at the Northeast corner of the house which is required to be the lowest point of the site as per Vastu. These volumes are seen in the planning as well as the volumetric division of spaces where the public zone is single height as it consists of the entrance, office, and the Mandir. The semi-private or living area is double height to suffice the volumetric need of that space. And lastly, the bedrooms, are single-height and two-storied to make the spaces feel cozy and private.

All the internal spaces in the house have an attached deck or balcony space. The idea was to bring the landscape indoors which is dear to the client. The dining area opens into a lush space that is shaded with a jali which has a modern form shaped in leaves, casting an interesting shadow at the floor level. Extention of the covered canopy also pushes the main window of the rooms inside acting as a passive strategy for keeping the rooms cool during harsh summers.

Ahmedabad,Gujarat,India

Architects	:	Mandviwala Qutub and Associates
Area	:	18000 sq. ft.
Year	:	2021
Website	:	www.mqa.in

Entrance

Courtyard

The central courtyard connects all the levels of the house to the basement and creates a continuous visual connection with all the levels of the house and naturally illuminates the basement. The jali pattern at the top of the skylight reflects the pattern of the jali used in Pol houses. The courtyard or Brahmasthan is kept completely construction free except for a tree that was originally on the site and it continues to grow there.

Cutout in Courtyard

In the central courtyard a walkway was created with different sizes of polished pebbles and materials which created a comfortable indoor walking space, providing desirable reflexology and a comforting and lively spirit to the space.

The temple is completely carved out of white marble and it gives the clients the feeling of having a spiritual axis to the house. The design is made age friendly and fully accessible with a majority of the living and private spaces being at the same level and ramps provided wherever necessary. The walking path in the large backyard is made of rubberized soft material for clients to walk peacefully without hindrances.

Swimming pool in the basement

The swimming pool was set in the basement to provide privacy. Skylight placed in East and West part and the courtyard together bring in natural light into the basement, especially at the pool and the gym.

Living Area

The materials used for construction were all locally sourced. Teak India and Ita Gold, Indian natural stones, were used largely during construction for external cladding and Italian marble in warm tones was used throughout the house internally. The warmth of the Italian marble created a beautiful play with the landscape and made the bungalow true to its context.

Living Area

Interior design and fitting artwork balance each other. A large piece of art, inspired by Jain scriptures, called ‘Pattachitra’, is seen from the courtyard and entrance foyer and it wraps around the upper floor. It is a traditional cloth based scroll painting and has various mythological narratives and folktales inscribed in it.

Another textile artwork inspired by moonlight and the tree of life, appropriately titled ‘Moonlight’, is displayed in the living area. This is a 30 feet long composition which is inspired from the colors of moonlight and represents life and family.

Staircase

Entertainment Zone

View of cutout in the courtyard from the basement

All of this artwork was inspired from Jainism and spirituality and this was one of the most important details for the client. Dotted around the bungalow one will find artwork paying homage to the abundant history of Ahmedabad from the mural of Ashtamangal which is displayed at the entrance, to sketches of Pol houses, which are displayed along the staircase.