Sailing the Waves of Innovation: The Boathouse is a Fusion of Nature and Architecture
The genius of the architect shines through as she meticulously leverages the site's unique topography and the potential of the scantily developed community to create a harmonious living space.
FACT FILE
Location | Shilaj, Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
Plot Area | 6,867 sq. ft. |
Built-Up Area | 3,300 sq. ft. |
Number of Rooms | 3 |
Completion Year | 2020 |
Vastu Compliance | Yes |
UTILISING THE NATURAL TOPOGRAPHY
The site's gentle 4-meter slope between the front and the rear provided an exciting opportunity where the architect envisioned and materialized a basement and a splash pool, both ingeniously integrated into the design. The basement, now a cozy den and home office, offers a retreat within the home. Adjacent to it lies the delightful splash pool, a compromise from the initially planned full-size swimming pool due to space constraints. Nature and humans converge in this charming aquatic oasis, complete with fish, moss, and plants, ensuring a delightful ambiance maintained by natural organisms and the gentle flow of water from fountains.
SPACES TO SOCIALISE
In the heart of the Boathouse lies a spacious living room, offering a view of the pool below through a welcoming balcony. The room features unique seating inspired by French Mah Jong-style modular sofas and fixed seating arrangements. The inverted beams ingeniously create functional spaces within them, transforming hollows into livable areas and furniture pieces. A linear window showcases picturesque views of the surrounding greenery, embraced by the soothing evening light.
The kitchen, nestled in the service bay, boasts a distinctive design. The island platform with ample storage and an integrated dining space forms the core, while large French doors invite the lush rear garden inside. The innovative layout enhances functionality and encourages communal dining experiences.
MIXING STYLE AND STRENGTH
A soaring triple-height void, the epitome of architectural transparency, graces the space between the bays, housing an exquisite steel and wooden staircase. This staircase connects all the spaces from the basement all the way to the top floor. A set of passages seamlessly connects all the spaces, allowing free flow throughout the void, embodying modernity and openness. The passage is made out of steel bars that allow thorough transparency on each and every floor. So even a person standing on the top floor can see what is happening in the basement, thus allowing interconnectivity throughout the house.
BEDROOMS ENVELOPED BY NATURE
The primary zone on the initial floor is predominantly private. It encompasses two bedrooms, each situated in its own section. The master bedroom resembles a suite, featuring a distinct seating area and gardens on three sides. On the other hand, the second bedroom is more modest, equipped with an adjoining bathroom and a balcony.
Ascending to the master bedroom, a feeling of tranquility and serenity envelops. The sunken sleeping and seating areas are discreetly separated by a wooden partition. Adorned by a wooden ceiling with a single-sided slope, the room is an epitome of elegance and light. Adjoining terraces and gardens on both sides create a seamless union between indoor and outdoor spaces, basking the bedroom in natural light and refreshing breezes.
The Boathouse project is a tribute to creativity amidst constraints. With limited resources, this architectural masterpiece exemplifies sustainability and environmental concern, seamlessly merging with the natural landscape.
It's a testament to how innovation, inspired by nature, can give rise to a dwelling that breathes and evolves with the environment, setting sail toward a sustainable future.
To watch the complete home tour, peruse the drawings in detail, and browse additional photographs, visit Buildofy. While there, don’t miss out on the other impressive contemporary homes in Gujarat and across India.