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    #Coverstory Hiren Patel takes us through Gopin—a lush villa that is inspired by the countryside

    AUG 30, 2021 | By Shriti Das
    Inspired by floor standing diyas of southern India, the majestic sculptures are devised and detailed by the architect himself. Standing tall at 18 feet they are engineered in steel and painted in a resplendent shade of wine that domineer over the stunning landscape with frangipanis, date palms, banyan trees and flowering shrubs; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala; Produced by Mrudul Pathak Kundu

    A tropical forest envelopes us as we step into Gopin, an exquisite villa located on the outskirts of Surat. Situated next to the bank of river Tapi, the precinct teases us with its built forms meandering within and beyond dense foliage. A labour of love and lasting friendship, Hiren Patel, principal architect at his practice Hiren Patel Architects has built the abode for his friend and industrialist Lavjibhai Daliya with a simple and straightforward brief.

    Playing hide and seek with the foliage is the entrance courtyard, inviting its dweller to explore and meander; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala; Produced by Mrudul Pathak Kundu

     

    Designed to accommodate huge gatherings, the dining area is a confluence of multiple styles ranging from Pottery Barn accessories, tableware from MUJI, tabletop from Bali, a chandelier from Klove Studio and chairs made at Waylin; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala; Produced by Mrudul Pathak Kundu

     

    Engulfing a massive volume with a bamboo ceiling, the artwork on the wall is created by the architect to impart depth and dimension to the massive space; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala; Produced by Mrudul Pathak Kundu

    “My friend who is from Saurashtra, mentioned that his homes back in the village are humble yet beautiful with their sloping roofs and basic geometries. We thought, let’s experiment with our native architecture and materials and see where that takes us,” smiles Patel of Hiren Patel Architects. Sprawling over 27 acres, the home is planned as a series of courtyards, verandahs and freestanding buildings akin to clusters of homes in villages…

    …Click here to discover more about this home in Surat featured on the cover of the August-September issue of ELLE DECOR India…