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The Bird Song by Alter Architects

Architecture

2023

Photographer : Tejas Shah Photography

Bird Song, a charming villa inspired by the timeless allure of Portuguese heritage sits quaintly amidst lush greenery on the outskirts of the city of Vadodara, striving to constantly be in dialogue with its surroundings. With an aim to retain all the existing neem trees on the site, the house with its old-world charm is envisaged as a space where one can experience and enjoy the stillness of nature.

Occupying an expansive plot, this 2500 square feet villa is a response to the client’s brief of wanting a house that reflects the Portuguese architectural style. The team at Alter Architects saw this challenging undertaking as an opportunity to design a house that is not an imitation of the old but a contemporary interpretation reminiscent of the by-gone era. The house is conceived as a C-shaped block with large arched shaped openings that connects the inside with the outside. While framing picturesque views of the surroundings, these openings graciously extend to the patios, a swimming pool, a gazebo, and a garden adorned with trees and gentle mounds. 

From the outside, it features elements of a quintessential traditional Portuguese dwelling like the white and pale orange-coloured walls adorned with lamps and intricate wrought ironwork, terracotta tiled roof with wooden brackets, floor dotted with potted Bougainville plants and floor patterns in Moroccan tiles, all adding to the elegant and welcoming character of the place.

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Architects : Alter Architects
Area : 4500 sq. ft.
Year : 2023
Website : https://www.instagram.com/alter.architects09/?hl=en

Exterior view of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Exterior view of The Bird Song by Alter Architects

The cobbled driveway directs the users to the main entrance where a series of steps leads them to the raised platform of the villa. Greeted by the swimming pool on one side and the outdoor seating area on the other, the arched opening ushers them into the double-height interiors of the house. The white Jali wall hides the living room that is located on the other side and redirects the user inside. With its open floor design, the space promotes continuity and a seamless transition from the dining at one end to the bar area at the other. 

Natural light floods in from all sides through the large arched openings and beautifully transforms the interiors by creating a play of light and shadow on the walls and floors. The exposed ceiling with the white metal trusses complemented by the elegant black chandeliers lends a distinctive charm to the space. 


Exterior view of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Entry to living area of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Passage to living and dining area of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Passage to living and dining area of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Living room of The Bird Song by Alter Architects

The interior is rustic and unfussy with white walls and grey flooring contrasted with a pop of pastel accents and furnishings. It is further accentuated with paintings on the wall and Moroccan tiles cladded bar counter. To continue the language of the traditional aesthetics, the space is filled with distressed furniture pieces. All this put together translates into a house that strikes a perfect balance between rustic charm and modern sensibilities. 


Living room of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Living room of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Living room of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Living and Dining of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Dining of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Bedroom of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Bedroom 2 of The Bird Song by Alter Architects

A similar palette continues to the bedrooms which are placed on the two far ends of the block, enjoying the view of the outside while overlooking the swimming pool and the garden beyond. The rooms’ muted pastel shades, along with the distressed furniture pieces and hints of wicker contributes to its warm and cozy atmosphere. With its pitched roof and exposed rafters, one of the bedrooms also accommodates a mezzanine level that can be accessed by a wall ladder. To ornate the villa, carefully curated artifacts have been picked to adorn the niches and corners of the house.


Bedroom 2 of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Bedroom 2 of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Toilet of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Outdoor courtyard seating of The Bird Song by Alter Architects

Rooted in simplicity, the house exudes tranquility while also providing the users with a space that is unique and functional. Trying not to reveal everything at once, the house has its own little moments of surprises but not failing to come together as a whole for the user.


Outdoor courtyard seating of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Outdoor seating at pool area of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Pool view of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Pool view of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Dusk light exterior view of The Bird Song by Alter Architects


Plan of The Bird Song by Alter Architects



Tags
Villas
architecture
interior design
residential architecture
residential interiors
2023
3000 to 5000 sq.ft
india
gujarat
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