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    K.N.Associates epitomise organic textural sensibilities and contemporary design aesthetics in R-House

    AUG 20, 2021 | By Kashish Kaushal
    Enveloped by a garden, the house has multiple outdoor nooks perfect to enjoy the pleasant weather; Photographs by Tejas Shah
    Conscious use of local materials reduces the carbon footprint of the home while additions like the locally made swings and jharokhas sprinkle traditional sensibilities; Photographs by Tejas Shah
    A unique wicker, double height ceiling features in the bedrooms. The louvered windows ensure maximum light and ventilation; Photographs by Tejas Shah
    Textured glass in blue and yellow, framed by wooden details add colour and quirk to the space. The 20 ft tall circular cutout connects all the floors of the house; Photographs by Tejas Shah
    Pop of blue brings flair and funk to the room as the capacious plan blurs the boundaries between the exterior and the interior; Photographs by Tejas Shah
    The living room basks in warm sunlight and has uninterrupted access to the surrounding gardens on both sides. The neutral toned seating cluster is equipped with furniture from Tectona Grandis, Ahmedabad; Photographs by Tejas Shah
    Equipped with a dedicated home theatre, the house perfects multi generational living. A wall mural depicting monuments of Baroda grace the accent wall of the space; Photographs by Tejas Shah
    Wooden ceiling coalesces with the brick walls creating an effective sound proofing system, perfect to enjoy the home theater set up; Photographs by Tejas Shah
    The kota flooring continues into the bedrooms, along with the exposed brick walls. The wooden doors lead into the courtyards and let in ample light during the day; Photographs by Tejas Shah
    Seamlessly transitioning into the dining space, the expansive open plan area is well ventilated; Photographs by Tejas Shah
    Sleek and efficient, the modular kitchen by Prato Kitchen blends in with the neutral palette of the house; Photographs by Tejas Shah
    Wooden arches and columns salvaged from old structures grace the entrance, elevating the ethnic charm of the space; Photographs by Tejas Shah
    The exterior of the house gives a glimpse of the aesthetic of the interior with details of grey, wood and exposed brick; Photographs by Tejas Shah

    A palatial bungalow in Vadodara, designed by K.N.Associates finds its muse in natural materials and finishes by creating an abode that is earthy and amicable. Principal architects Narendra Joshi and Pritesh Patel have incorporated their firm’s signature style by assimilating exposed brick walls, jaalis and the traditional jharokha.

    Supplementing the facade of the bungalow, a low brick and RCC wall attributes the periphery of the corner plot. Wooden columns, arches, and brackets salvaged from old structures have been used strategically, on the porch to create a jharokha with extravagant detailing. “In India, such columns can be sourced from Gujarat, Rajasthan, or even the south. We were careful to choose the ones from Gujarat, to root the home to its location,” says Joshi.

    Sprawling across an 8,000 sq ft area, this three level bungalow belongs to a pious family that sacredly bows down to the Gods while entering as well as leaving the premises. To be used by three generations, this ingrained, age-old ritual was factored in by the architects while working on the Vastu compliant blueprint of the house.

    Prancing in joyous abandon, the metal sculpture of a cowherd has been frozen in motion by sculptor Avinash Gondaliya; Photographs by Tejas Shah

    The entrance packs a punch with wide floating steps leading towards the wooden main door. Impressive diamond shaped detailing on the doors with an oversized handle of the same shape greets the visitors. 

    Located just inside the entrance, the worship area is surrounded by a waterbody on three sides, and is connected to the family room, separated by an L-shaped brick jali; Photographs by Tejas Shah

    Surrounded by water bodies on three sides, the worship area is a sight to behold. With an unrestricted view of the garden outside, an antique swing and a jharokha add local flavour to the living room. A noteworthy aspect of the bungalow is the use of polished green Kota teamed with its yellow cousin in a leather finish sweep over the floors, imitating a carpet. 

    A multitude of masks make up a seemingly random display on a brick wall in the living area; Photographs by Tejas Shah

    “The climate in Vadodara is not suitable for carpets, so we brought in the visual appeal without the impracticality. We were particularly careful about the joints where a brick wall meets one in RCC. The edge of the brick was chamfered so that you see only one continuous material when you view the wall,” reveals Joshi.

    Set with textured glass in blue, yellow and green in a geometrical pattern, the round cut-out carries through the diagonal lines of the pattern on the surrounding RCC wall; Photographs by Tejas Shah

    However, the crowning glory of the R-House is a large round cut-out in the wall that connects all the floors. Divulging more about the pièce de résistance, Joshi elaborates, “I have to thank Deepak Ambekar our structural engineer, for the technically demanding staircase which slants upwards in front of the fixed glass window, without any support from the wall. Suspended from cables, it has a weightless appearance.”

    The attached terrace on the first floor from which the garden is visible has outdoor seating topped by a pergola; Photographs by Tejas Shah

    Moving a level up, the first floor hosts three bedrooms and the common space is furnished in reclaimed wood. The double height space enjoys a large window and is protected from the sun by motorised blinds sandwiched between glass. 

    The bedrooms have a wood and wicker ceiling; Photographs by Tejas Shah

    A gym, guest bedroom and home theatre constitute the second floor. The home theatre is a cinephile’s paradise with exposed brick wall interiors and wooden ceiling and flooring. “Although acoustics had been considered, there is no fabric panelling or high-tech sound proofing, since there was no requirement for replicating sound studio specs,” discloses Joshi.  

    The primary bedroom has a wicker ceiling, brass etching on the bed back, louvred wardrobe shutters and its own study; Photographs by Tejas Shah

    This house brings together the best of design elements with an earthy material palette complemented by copious amounts of sculptures and installations. K.N. Associates have managed to offer a consciously curated lifestyle in line with rituals and traditions, creating a brilliant space.

    Scroll down for more images of the R-House—

    The brick jali insulates the worship area from voices and the sounds of everyday activities which are unavoidable when an extended family shares a home; Photographs by Tejas Shah

     

    Curtains from D’Decor, with chandeliers and lamps from Kaanch, Vadodara brighten up the living area; Photographs by Tejas Shah

     

    According to Vastu, the worship area was topped with a glass roof; Photographs by Tejas Shah

     

    Adjacent to the staircase, a 16 ft tall suspended art installation byHemanshi Patwa brings colour to the space. Its lotus leaves are 18 to 24 inches in diameter and made of blown glass, with a metal structure for support; Photographs by Tejas Shah

     

    Exposed bricks and RCC come together in the R-House, with pergolas visible on open terraces; Photographs by Tejas Shah

     

    The double height space on the first floor enjoys a large window and is protected from the sun by motorised blinds sandwiched between glass; Photographs by Tejas Shah

    If this traditional house inspires you, make sure you check out this lavish abode by Azure Interiors!