SUBSCRIBE NOW
    • Homes

    This expansive home in Ahmedabad by architect Veeram Shah revels in an earthy palette

    JUN 6, 2020 | By Aneesha Bhadri
    Right from the entrance, the layout has been adapted to reflect the client’s belief in vaastu; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    A muted palette is seen in the living room; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    A clean and minimalist design continues in the seating area with a swing from POD – Pieces of Desire, a venture by Shah and Nishita Kamdar; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    Earthy tones and a partitioning screen segregate the dining zone; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    Detail of a simplistic setting with wooden accents
    A collaboration with Abstrac led to a creation of themes based on textile design for the bedrooms; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    The son's bedroom, like every other space in the home is defined by a minimal, uncluttered and functional design; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    Each bedroom holds a quiet niche for solitary pursuits and relaxation; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    Veeram Shah also custom created the knobs for doors; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    Natural material and subdued hues are seen in the guest bedroom; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    View of the guest bathroom; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    In the bustling neighbourhood of Ambawadi, Ahmedabad, lies a 3,000 sq ft home for a family of four. The layout has been adapted to reflect the client’s belief in vaastu. “The house was envisioned like the human body, where every element exists to support the other. Only when each part is in sync with the other can the space function efficiently as a whole,” says Veeram Shah of Design Ni Dukaan, who conceptualised the home.

    At the homeowner’s behest the common areas were divided into four distinct part: the entrance lobby, living spaces, dining area and kitchen. “We connected all these spaces by creating a visual continuity in the small details. Also, we used different screens—fluted glass, glass with a cane in-fill, sandwiched glass with organic fabrics—that would let light in and yet maintain visual privacy in these spaces,” says the architect.

    The partition between the living and the dining areas became a crockery storage unit. The kitchen was customised to suit the usage habits of the client. The basin and the extended counter were made on-site by Design Ni Dukaan stonemasons. “We kept the material palette very simple, with wood and terrazzo. The relevance of the fluted glass from the living to the dining was continued in the kitchen shutters. The handles for the screens were custom made,” informs Shah.

    Each bedroom holds a quiet niche for solitary pursuits and relaxation. Minimal, uncluttered and functional, the private quarters form tranquil spaces for the family members. The side tables are designed as extensions of the bed to allow more functionality and free space. The earthy look envisioned for the whole house continues in the bathrooms. They portray a minimal aesthetic with 2×5 handmade tiles for the wet areas and limo coat for the dry areas.

    Textile design plays an important part in adding character to the house. “We collaborated with Brinda from Abstrac to create themes for each room. We customised all the textile work from the furnishings and upholstery to pillows to get all the parts in sync,” enthuses the architect. All the furniture in the house is custom made by Design Ni Dukaan.

    Crafted as functional sculptures merging with the backdrop, these pieces go beyond their label of objects to become defining features of the home that forms a cohesive whole, lending it an identity of its own. A natural material palette is seen throughout, with a base of reclaimed teak, bespoke brass fittings, cane and handcrafted tiles from Piccolo Mosaic. The simple materials are elevated by highlighting their forms, proportions, details and shapes. “We fashioned the handles and knobs to be like ‘bindis’, small elements that give value to minimal designs,” explains Shah.