Sanjay and Nikita Shah's house in Ahmedabad is a beautiful representation of nature and architecture coming together in harmony. The aim of the design was to create an experience where the indoor spaces have nature to invite the outdoor spaces to blend in as one. The result is a stunning house that offers a perfect retreat for nature-loving clients.

FACT FILE

SITE CONTEXT

The house is located amidst nature. At any given point in the day, one hears the twittering of the birds and the rustling of the leaves. Architect Hiren Patel aimed to make the most of the natural surroundings. The family that the house is designed for includes a couple, their two daughters and the grandfather. The House With Sloping Roofs spreads across two plots in a locality that is fan-shaped.

The house gets rid of the typical driveway, the car park and the porch to instead have an experience of arrival in a mindful manner. The house welcomes you with a pavilion whose frames capture the view of the house at the gate.

THROUGH THE ROOMS

Upon entering the house through the veranda that feels like it sits in the far-spread landscape, one is greeted by the formal living room. The living room overlooks the lush greens through the glass facade while being naturally lit by the light coming from the north.

Beyond the entrance foyer towards the west, there is a stretched passage that houses the double-height puja room and a single-flight staircase leading upstairs. The living, dining, kitchen and the grandfather’s bedroom are located on the ground level. The grandfather’s room especially is situated close to the puja room because he uses it the most. The passage then opens up onto a multipurpose deck within the open landscape, before leading the way to the south pavilion.

The common family space has been placed in a way that it enjoys a constant indoor-outdoor connection. The double-height glazing windows face north to invite in the most natural light possible. The space additionally overlooks the landscape which comprises the lily pond and a statue of Sleeping Vishnu along with the greenery. These elements help liven up the space, making the house feel like a part of the natural surroundings.

UP THE STAIRS

The positioning of the house and the pavilions reached by the footpaths, divide the plot into three distinct garden spaces. The upper floors hold the master bedrooms and the daughters’ bedrooms — all of which have been given the master treatment. A bridge crosses across the double height leading to the couple’s bedroom.

The master bedroom is picturesque with a balcony jutting out into nature and spacious interiors that are larger than the living room below. A home office that responds to the need of working from home, which has become common in current times, sits next to this bedroom.

The daughters’ bedrooms take up spaces above the grandfather’s bedroom and the kitchen below. The two bedrooms share a passage with an elevator and have an internal connection between them. This floor also has an entertainment lounge.

Keeping privacy in mind, all the private spaces including the bedrooms have been plugged into the south core of the house. The interiors of the spaces were thus pivotal in creating a grounded and humble place.

MATERIALITY

The interplay of flat slabs and sloping roofs is an interesting approach that gives the house its unique character. These roofs while of different types, have been treated in the same language that accentuates both roofing styles in their own manner.

A careful selection of materials and fabrics, lighting, and other details add to the subtle elegance of the house. For example, the wood that started off by giving character to the ceilings has extended into the details of the furniture interspersed within the rooms and to accentuate the fixed surfaces around the house.

Nikita House is an attempt to bring architecture and nature together to create a harmonious living space. The house's design maximises natural light and greenery while simultaneously ensuring privacy for the family. The thoughtful interior design adds to the overall grounded and humble atmosphere of the house, making it a beautiful retreat in the midst of nature.

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