A stone home in the 21st century? 

From stone by stone to brick by brick

The home demarcates a clear boundary between the personal and the private. Unlike conventional homes where this gradual shift marks itself through the interiors, here, the difference is echoed in the walls, too. “The public area is encased in stone, and while having an old-world charm, still has an edge of the modern to it,” enthuses the design team. In a display of judicious design, the rubble wall cladding extends inwards, manifesting itself as a feature wall in all rooms.

Aptly described as a “punctuation in the linear form” of the house, the courtyards make the evident material transition smoother. No more wooden doors. Guests now enter through sliding glass doors and walls, rubble stone swapping hands with an industrial finish ceiling. We’re now in the residents only section. “The private areas, while being very modern, have a comfortable, lived-in feel to them,” sums up the design team.

Diverse yet interconnected

Did they run out of stone when it came to building the home’s latter half? Not really. The home sheds conventional cohesiveness for material experimentation, much like our diverse urbanscapes today. A quick glance outside any jharokha in one of Jaipur’s many forts, and the sight of stone palaces and apartments co-existing in the same pincode will greet you. In Mumbai, swap the palaces for gothic spires. Such is the dichotomy of cities today.

The home embraces the same within its interiors. Industrial-finish ceilings and a gazebo with a 1.5 storey pitched roof lie within a stone’s throw away from each other. Wooden floors intermingle with stone. Walk further, and a seamless surface complete with an in situ jacuzzi greets one within the wellness centre and spa — a feat achievable through nanotopping. Within these diverse contexts and buildings, what brings it all together? “Colour plays a pivotal role in uniting these diverse elements and weaving a tapestry of visual harmony,” explain the design team. The pieces click. An occasional pop of blue, a penchant for red (which glows against the earthy palette), and a kitchen as green as the courtyards — it all fits together.

Ask any seasoned metropolitan dweller and they’ll attest to how the cityscape often feels like a never-ending game of Jenga. In this sea of concrete, The Stone House strikes a skilful balance between its architectural ancestors and present company. Much to the delight of the homeowners, it proves the nostalgic and practical can co-exist. We can carve ample space for both.

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