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    Ace Associates bring the tropics to Ahmedabad within the stylish Akshardham Villa

    SEP 14, 2020 | By Vedika Nair
    The exterior facade of Ace villa is made up of bricks with ample serenity surrounding it; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    This outdoor seating area is covered in a bevelled Kadappa floor from World of Stones; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    The living room is cloaked with hues from Asian Paints and Italian marble flooring from Nitco; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    The living room uses a Natuzzi sofa, chair from Gulmohar Lane, D'Decor blinds as well as artefacts from Address Home, Gigi and Vases from Pure Home+Living; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    In the dining zone are chairs from Be Komfort and vase from Pure Home+Living; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    A Dupont Corian countertop is seen in the kitchen with appliances from Hafele and accessories from Elica; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    Wood is abundantly used across the home—including in the living room, where Natuzzi sofa chairs share space with a Fabindia coffee table; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    Bed linens from Apartment 9, Natuzzi sofa chairs, Fabindia coffee table, Jaipur Rugs carpet and lights from Gigi are seen in this bedroom; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    A vibrant orange Be Komfort sofa is characterised by an Apartment 9 bedspread and Jaipur Rugs carpet; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    The master bedroom is decorated with a Sabyasachi wallpaper by Nilaya, Good Earth bedspread, carpet from Jaipur Rugs and lights by Fabindia; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    With the ever-growing concrete jungle surrounding us, Akshardham Villa by Ace Associates strives to encapsulate nature’s influences through a blend of lush accents and contemporary interior design.

    This 8,500 sq ft abode is fashioned—by Ashish and Nikhil Patel along with Nilesh Dalsania and Vasudev Sheta of the Ahmedabad based practice—to connect all indoor and outdoor spaces. It also breaks away from traditional architecture, and is built on contemporary themes using Italian marble and wooden finishes, a modern tropic influence and soothing colours.

    Additionally, Akshardham shares space with an adjoining villa, including a grand verandah and lawns with exotic landscape elements on either side. Ample vegetation ranging from lotuses to date palms accentuate the home’s tropical theme. 

    Akshardham Villa is peppered with ample vegetation and a water body; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    The entrance of the home is connected to the double-heighted living room—the heart of the home—via a wood and marble finished passageway. It is this lounge that allows a visual connection between both, the upper and lower levels of the home. 

    A corridor in wood and marble leads to the double-heighted, formal living room; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    Composed of a wooden, lit-up ceiling and earthy stucco finished wall, the formal living room is illuminated by a panoramic window during the day. “Our favourite space has to be the formal living area, considering we got to play with materials and colours to our heart’s content,” says Nikhil Patel, one of the principals of the design practice.

    This ritzy space is accessorised by wall art, paintings from Harmony Arts in Vadodara and a Jaipur Rugs carpet; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    The central hall houses the family living and dining areas as well as the prayer zone, while the north and south verandahs are often used by the homeowners for some downtime. A custom modular set with state-of-the-art amenities makes up the kitchen.

    Buddha statues and flooring from Simpolo make up the outdoor area; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    A stark difference is seen in the two bedrooms accommodated on the ground floor. While the guest bedroom is contemporary, the parent’s room is restrained. A linear staircase with open risers and a glass railing in the central hall leads to the first-floor lounge, where massive windows allow natural light to stream in.

    Candle stands from Gigi are placed on a wooden console; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    The master suite is connected to an ensuite facility and a walk-in wardrobe. It is designed with opulent, modern elements and a stunning traditional Sabyasachi wallpaper, creating a cosy aesthetic. 

    Paintings from Harmony Arts decorate this space; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    In contrast to the home’s luxe spaces, the son’s bedroom opts for a cooler, more industrial theme with concrete surfaces and other modern elements. We love how an indoor elevator takes us to the uppermost level of Akshardham, where an entertainment zone is created.

    A Kohler sink and accessories from Jaquar are used in this bathroom; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    When asked about the studio’s design philosophy, Dalsania shares, “Ace Associates is a practice of young architects who provide innovative and environmentally sustainable architecture driven by function, clarity and beauty. As a firm, we are accustomed to working with a contemporary vocabulary.”

    A rock basin is used on a navy blue console; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala