Vraj Garden

  Architect HIREN PATEL’S design for a house in Ahmedabad weaves the outdoors into the structure and in the process creates an unusual plan for a living space. A unique aspect of the house is the use of different materials in largely unpretentious ways, writes Amrish Mandlik.

The gazebo experience is accentuated by the rugged beauty of natural stone. The simple white wall and timber floor is set off by painted patterns on the ceiling.

A brief to an architect to build a ‘liveable home’ is about as basic as a brief can be. The challenge is then two-fold whether to interpret it literally or to find out a way to improvise within a concept. Architect Hiren Patel admits that the brief was ‘as good as it gets’. Hiren also admits to a recent shift in his design sensibility, which manifests itself in a keen appreciation for the role of outdoors (read landscaping). This brief then presented him with the perfect opportunity to experiment to design a modern home differently.

The design for this house in Ahmedabad is a composition of interesting forms, in which functional spaces are liberally interwoven with the outdoors and one which makes extensive use of indigenous materials. In fleshing out the design, Hiren explores alternative definitions of space for altered lifestyle patterns, which are also indicative of contemporary values within an urban setting. Thus this minimalist design seeks to resolve within itself different proportions and explore alternate uses of traditional materials. Interspersing brick and mortar with calculated punctuations heightens the quality of light in its spatial spread and gives a different look to the entire structure.

The presence of clearly defined lines of the concrete mass creates a play of shadow and is an almost unconscious regulator of the light filtering into the space. This also makes it hard to distinguish where the inside ends and outside begins. As a result constant drama prevails as one moves inside the house.

An underlying rhythm in spatial connectivity, lends warmth to personal corners and airiness to public spaces.

One enters into a double height lobby where a cut mirror mural discreetly nudges you towards the main living room which further leads on to the front garden and then the gazebo. The double height volume of the lobby is awash with natural light, filtered by a glass block skylight. The ground floor also houses a large dining room, besides the living room, the kitchen and private courtyards. A large C-shaped window in the living room opens onto a placid lily pond that evaporates boundaries between exterior and interior. The liberal use of skylights, be it in the drawing room, family area or even bathrooms, creates an intriguing play of light throughout the day.

The passage between kitchen and living room has been worked out almost completely in glass, which allows the space to be used as a display gallery. At the same time it provides for connectivity between the courtyards. The family and dining areas are connected and the family members can move out of the dining room into the ‘champa coutryards’. Landscape is an essential to be found everywhere; and each room has large glass panels that double as picture windows. There is an underlying rhythm in the connectivity of various spaces, which lends warmth to personal corners and an expansive airiness to public areas.

Special care was taken of the kitchen area by providing generous activity spaces, storage and a separate backyard kitchen garden. The design of the house has ensured that the private activities are cocooned into secluded and secure spaces, while the public areas are large and open to nature.

Timber flooring lends warmth to three bedrooms on the upper level. The simplistic interior blends with and enhances the somewhat intriguing architecture of this house and its landscape. As a matter of fact, the interiors need no extraneous ‘decoration’- the honesty of materials and interesting forms tell their own story. Conscious use of indigenous materials, artefacts and wall finishes add that personalized touch to the interiors. The entire house is planned in such a way that there is no segregation between the exterior and interior, the built form and the landscape. Specially designed light fixtures add a unique touch and create a soothing and comforting ambience. These also brings out the sculptural quality of the house, imparting it a unique style.

>Extensive landscaping with both hard and soft elements creates point of interest and beckons one to explore the garden. The gazebo is a serene sit-out; its ambience accentuated by the rugged beauty of natural stone. The fact that slate has been used for cladding lends a rugged feel. Juxtaposition of different materials such as stone, brick cladding and exposed RCC bring in a sense of harmony with the surroundings, especially since this house is one of the first to come up in a new development area outside the city.

Clever juxtaposition of different materials creates a sense of harmony and balance between the house and its surroundings.

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