Ajay Patel Residence

Delicately merging with the landscape, the house emerges boldly with clean lines and earthy materials in the suburbs of Vadodara in a 9665 Sq. Ft plot area. A classic synthesis of the modern exteriors and fusion of contemporary and ethnic interiors, the home has a unique taken on the traditional idea of a courtyard, thanks to our client who came up with the need of warm courtyard house with 4 bedrooms and a family space. Unlike most times when challenges guide the design, it was the enthusiasm of our client and the faith they put in us that guided the design till the end.

A twist to the traditional courtyard, the house evolves around the niche created in the centre that is a nuclei connecting all the areas that seem to open up towards it. The texture that was a result of trial & error sum to make perfect sense in the façade when the daylight flush it with various depths, created in it during the course of the day.

Even as we enter, a breathable space with an informal sitting catches attention which further follows up the slate stone wall suspending customised art work designed by Dipen Gada himself, hints at what to expect inside. The pergolas enhance the space by casting sciography throughout the day making it enigmatic.

Meandering through the landscaped lawns, we halt at the foyer where an enticing life-size sculpture sits under a champa tree. A sense of tranquillity is epitomised by the sculpture that rests on a stone brooding over a flute fusing all the spaces together harmoniously. The house at this juncture, seem to float above the water body that envelopes the house. The waterbody is lined with blue mosaic and holds marble white lotus fountains gracing the exteriors.

The intricately carved wooden door with a traditional brass handle, priced possession of the client over ages, unfolds the house inside to another charismatic sculpture, handpicked over one of the random visits to the artist’s studio. A high level of customisation has gone into this home. The passage with multi-coloured leather finish kota with design engraving guides the way, defining the pooja area & living primarily.

The pooja area is a simple open space looking out to the east sun and the landscape outside through stained glass slit windows. The delicate mother of pearl inlay in the floor highlights the importance of the space. The double height living room is an expansive enclosure with the traditional keralian style columns with jaisalmer pedestals demarcating the space on one side as opposed to tall bold concrete fins guarding the large opening to the west façade with design detail on them.

The concrete fins allow restricted light inside that double up as a sitting forming an integral part of the living area. The sciography cast by the fins catalyse an enchanting effect bringing alive a sense of drama. The double height is capped by an exposed RCC slab layered with a specifically customised wooden panel with brass inlay sourced from Anjana handicrafts, Ahmedabad.

The wooden panel is lit by large metal lamps hanging from the ceiling that is tailored to emphasise the overall décor and lighting up the whole space. The art work is carefully picked to suit the ambience. The art on the glass partition between living and staircase is customised with circular metal rings and lotus shaped glass tea-light holders tailored by local artists again designed by Dipen Gada himself.

The family area is further north where ample daylight floods the huge space through large openings and wide doors that lead out to the gazebo overlooking the water body. The family area is a large yet cosy space founded by walls that are acoustically treated and fabric panelling that helps in sound control.

The gazebo is enveloped with low fence and roofed with pergolas that is embraced with the canopy of the trees guarding the compound wall. Kitchen and dining are kept basic and cluster free with minimal décor but enriched by the use of materials such as Kota for flooring, exposed RCC slab and carefully designed & picked furniture units. A dash of colour in furniture adds splendour to the space.

The ground floor also house a day room subtly hid behind the staircase and a parent’s bedroom that is designed as a meditative, serene heaven with an artistic terra-cotta tiles bed back done by an artist rendering richness to the space. An elegant staircase leads up to the first floor passage that overlooks the double height living room providing a closer view of the ornamental ceiling panel with the magnanimous lamps.

The first floor passage is a sojourn that takes us down the memory lane where the oikas finish wall forms a perfect backdrop for the family collage being focused at the end of it. The wooden trabeates in the ceiling make way for hanging lamps that light up the passage at night which is otherwise flooded with natural light through large windows during the day. The bedrooms are minimal & functional yet glamourized by the carefully picked tapestries and artefacts.

The master bedroom adorns a work of classic sophistication through tiled back poster bed and wooden flooring. The bedroom opens out to a terrace garden on the first floor overlooking a large window that supports a kota ledge creating a cosy sitting. Daughter’s bedroom is elegant with wooden textured bed back & an articulated wall with bookshelves & a kota platform created to function as an informal sitting.

The son’s room is modern that makes a bold statement marked by dark walls as suggested by the client. A collage of his choice of characters paint the wall on one side and an asymmetric bookshelf glorifies the adjacent wall as we enter. Aesthetics and functionality seamlessly fuse together to weave the fabric of this unique house. The play of light through structural elements and choice of colours bring out the crisp flavour that defines the house and beholds the warmth created through the distinctive elements.

Fact file

  • Client’s Name – Mr. Ajay Patel.
  • Plot Area – 9665 Sq. Ft
  • Built Up Area – 6810 Sq. Ft
  • Design Team – Dipen Gada, Mrunal Bhogayata, Nidhi Patel, Krimmy Patel, Prakash Prajapati.
  • Project Coordinator – Rahi Construction.
  • Photography – Tejas Shah.
  • Text – Nidhi Patel.