(LAKESIDE IDYLL)

A strikingly designed home by Hiren Patel Architects for an art collector sits serenely on a big lake on the outskirts of Ahmedabad

Lush landscaping envelops the house, reflecting off the big lake in front of it. Simple geometric forms and the play of vertical and horizontal planes form the basis of the design, adding creative depths to the volumes and passages of the home. The client is an artist and art collector, and the house has been designed keeping his sensibilities and ideas in mind. The façade, with a monochromatic finish in white combined with a rough RCC finish, allows the house to merge into the surrounding greenery and the natural environment.

One approaches the house through lush landscaped walkways dotted sculptures, to reach a wooden deck, projecting on to the lake in front. The cantilevered deck is very much a part of whole experience of living in this house, as the dining area and kitchen both open on to it. Sitting on it, sipping a cup of coffee, is a blissful experience!

A double-height lobby with light streaming in through a skylight welcomes one in. The quality of light adds to the beauty of the space and highlights the paintings on the walls.

The client is an artist and art collector, and the house has been designed keeping his sensibilities and ideas in mind.
The living room has full sized windows facing the lake, which visually connect the interiors to the lake and garden.

The architect has experimented with different materials and finishes throughout the house, which creates an element of interest as one passes through various areas. The lobby and living area have flamed granite flooring, the kitchen has polished kotah, while bedrooms have wooden floors. The front bedroom, which serves the family as a studio-cum-library, has a lovely verandah with a sun-breaker above.

The living room has full sized windows facing the lake, which visually connect the interiors to the lake and garden, while the large expanses of glazing allow plenty of natural light to pour in.

The living room is connected to two of the bedrooms through a frameless glazed passage, which creates a lot of depth. One can almost feel the green courts on either side of the passage while entering the bedrooms.

High ceilings in the bedroom along with plenty of light streaming through the open court outside the room, makes it a haven of serenity.

The RCC wall of one bedroom goes upwards to form a sitting area outside, adding a dynamic element to the space, while louvers on the south side act as sun-breakers.

The whole house is nestled in a green cover which was the dream of the client, who was very involved with the architectural planning and landscaping. Being a designer and an artist he had lot of ideas for his house, the architects incorporated those to finally come up with a compact house design for his family and artist friends.

The experimentation with different material finishes throughout the house creates an element of interest as one passes through the different areas.

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