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Architecture

2023

Photographer : Maulik patel, Nitin Panchal

In a country with a history and culture like India's, it is always interesting to see how young architects bring that context into their modern efforts. The quaint, vivid “Vashi farm house” featured in this article was designed by Ahmadabad based architect himanshu patel from d6thD design studio with overt principle of vernacular architecture in mind.

Three generation of family- grandparents, a young couple and their children enjoy together in ‘vashi farm’ located in amalsad village at Navsari suburb of south Gujarat. Client wanted a home in their native land that would not only accommodate their living but be reminiscent of rich culture and tradition of the region.

d6thD has arranged the program into a H-shaped plan, conceptualized around the idea of two distinct ‘green room’ spaces. An indoor courtyard and outdoor garden area reference traditional modes of living — blurring the line between interior and exterior to the point where one runs seamlessly into the other.

The property is designed with a series of variously proportioned sloping roofs, intended to help offset the heavy rainfall native to the region. A deeply covered balcony acts as a space of transition between the hot and humid exterior environment and the warm heart of the home. Communal living spaces are arranged around the central courtyard, evoking a sense of community and family ancestry specific to the house.

Feature wall of locally available Mataka (Earthen water storage pot) at site entrance recall the age old tradition of storing drinking water. Bronze human figure sculpture at drop off area merged since the natural and manmade are in sync and it makes the composition special. A fascinating drop-off area semi covered by wooden pergola and a lily water body lead you towards the corbelled brick wall entrance with two small Nandi idols which references the religious distinctiveness of the owners’ attachment. The twisted brick columns greet visitors to home, and support a stone verandah which divides the house into separated public and private areas. Series of twisted brick column around courtyard adds drama into the welcoming gesture.

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Architects	:	d6thD Design Studio
Area	:	4843 sq. ft.
Year	:	2023
Website	:	https://www.instagram.com/the6thd/

Exterior view of Vashi Farm House by d6thD Design Studio

The open plan living space accommodates a seating area, dining room and kitchen and visually increases the sense of space inside the home. Old marble tiles with ceramic inlay are used to create vibrant geometrically patterned flooring. Warli wall painting below colored stain glass unfolding the story about traditional lifestyle in living space Customized ‘sheesham’ wooden sofas follow an burnt orange palette, a hue that is complemented and expanded throughout the house’s decor. Most of the furniture has deliberately been kept lightweight, to facilitate moving it around whenever required.

Gazebo just above the entrance door surprisingly creates a sense of security element and at the same time it becomes an almost sensual feel sits out for the upper level bedrooms where the couple spends most of time enjoying the an unobstructed panoramic view of vast landscaped garden.

Exterior view of Vashi Farm House by d6thD Design Studio

Entrance of Vashi Farm House by d6thD Design Studio

Courtyard of Vashi Farm House by d6thD Design Studio

All the bedrooms have attached bathroom flooded with skylights so that the feel of an open space is not lost for an instant. Exposed cement finished wall and crazy kota stone flooring compliment the robust looking textured granite back panel with brushed golden faucets in rain shower area. The staircase leading to the upper floor is interestingly half done with solid thick kadappa stone steps and half done with open riser wooden planks, adding to the openness of the space.

‘The materials and techniques employed in this house are not only time tested and reliable but clearly reflect a cultural and climate sensitivity towards the area,’ explain d6thD. ‘The foundation is of random rubble stone masonry, and the 14” load bearing exposed brick walls in quetta bond act as thermal insulators.’ Every bedroom opens out onto a private balcony offering views to either the garden or courtyard, and allowing residents to fully engage with the surrounding landscape.

Courtyard of Vashi Farm House by d6thD Design Studio

Living room of Vashi Farm House by d6thD Design Studio

Passage between living and dining of Vashi Farm House by d6thD Design Studio

Passage to staircase of Vashi Farm House by d6thD Design Studio

Staircase of Vashi Farm House by d6thD Design Studio

The house itself integrates a number of different roofing techniques: the ground floor bedrooms have locally made clay pot filler in RCC slab. a low height rough kota stone roof with a steel girder tops the veradah and and high volume pitched roof with decorative clay ceiling tiles reference the ornamental traditions of the locality. the reuse of old wooden door windows and marble flooring is evident throughout the house, and has even influenced its core shape: many of the house’s circular surfaces are a result of reusing curved window frames.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the house remains true to its context and testifies itself to the norms of vernacular architecture, instead of vying for an identity amongst lipstick architectural buildings.

It is a joyous experience to all those who has built this, who live here and those who visit this house. They say that there is some immeasurable hidden dimension that rejuvenates and vitalizes them once they are in this house. Could we call it the spirit dimension? We call it the 6th dimension; dimension to feel good- says architect.