The nature of concrete

A curving concrete shell meets lush Gujarat landscapes in this retreat by Achyutam Designs

26 Aug 2025

If Bilbo Baggins (the protagonist of J. R. R. Tolkien’s 1937 novel The Hobbit) ever traded the Shire for the outskirts of Gujarat, his home might look like its identical twin. The modern age’s wonderland-esque house is for three generations, Achyutam Designs crafts an 8,000 sq ft den that swaps fairytale thatch for a spectacular shell of exposed concrete.

Named after the protective shell of an animal, Carapace House tucks its inhabitants into a cocoon of curves and glass, offering shelter without severing the connection to the outdoors. The architects Ashish and Shikha Parmar rethink the idea of a house — which is less about walls and rooms, and more about the space’s fluidity that blurs into the land itself.

“After layers of discussions, we found that the family was in search of a house with no walls, no windows and no boundaries”

— Ashish and Shikha Parmar

TUNNEL VISION

Rather than relying on vertical walls, the home is defined by a sweeping shell structure: a tunnel of exposed concrete that curves across the site, giving the building a standout sculptural presence. Transparent planes replace solid walls, offering uninterrupted views from end to end and out to the greenery beyond.

With no other structure in sight, the house feels intrinsically in tune with its setting. Outside, a variety of surfaces and levels echo the textures of natural terrain, anchoring the architecture firmly within its natural surroundings. It is the light, however, that gives the home its shifting character. Reflections from the pool ripple onto walls and floors, while the sun’s path casts ever-changing shadows through the glass. The shell’s plain, expansive surfaces act as the perfect canvas for this daily theatre, making dark tones richer and pale shades brighter.

MATERIAL MATTERS

In this home, materials aren’t just finishes — they’re an extension of the landscape. Exposed concrete, brick, Kota stone, lime stucco, slate and terrazzo are left in their raw state, letting natural textures take the lead. Together, they create a soft, pastel backdrop, warmed by neutral, wood-forward furniture. Large window walls draw in the lush greens of the surrounding landscape, lending a gentle vibrancy to the otherwise muted scheme. Underfoot, a playful terrazzo inlay meanders through the Kota stone like a stream, stitching the spaces together.

OUTSIDE IN

Inside, the landscape doesn’t recede, but follows you in. From the pool and lily pond framing views with layers of water, grass and sky, to the glass shell that opens the interiors to the outdoors, the architecture prioritises connection over separation.

Even the private bedroom at the back looks out to a chikoo plantation, its cosy deck extending into nature. This commitment to openness came with challenges — accommodating services without vertical walls meant opting for ductable air-conditioning units to keep surfaces uncluttered. To preserve the sense of flow, an island platform with a floating chimney subtly defined the kitchen from the living area without enclosing it. “Bathrooms were the most enjoyable space we designed, as there is an amazing hobbit-like feeling while using them,” admits Ashish.

Much like stepping into the pages of The Hobbit, this is a home where boundaries dissolve and every turn holds a quiet surprise. By not just thinking outside the box, but erasing it entirely, Achyutam Designs has created a weekend retreat that is less a structure and more a living landscape.