THE BIGGER, THE BETTER
With verdant views and lush lawns, it only made sense to break down walls and let the oudoors inside this spacious bungalow in Ahmedabad by Hiren Patel Architects
This residence in Ahmedabad is a combination of my raw emotions and the freedom I was given by the client to create something that has not been seen before. The inviting grand entrance porch sets the tone for the rest of the home. A central visual axis was derived to let the gaze automatically move towards the gazebo rather than the party lawn. Other eye-catching features include two courtyards in the front and centre, for ventilation and transparency.
UNDERSTANDING THE LAYOUT
The ground floor has a drawing room, dining room, living area, family lounge, guest room and a master bedroom. A beautiful verandah was designed on the ground floor facing east to enjoy the morning sun. Corridors have strategic cut-outs
that let natural light to seep in through the skylights. An eight feet wide passage takes you around the central courtyard that eventually leads to a beautiful staircase. The staircase takes you to the first floor that has open terraces, a multi-purpose hall and four gargantuan bedrooms each equipped with its very own dressing area and private lounge. For privacy (especially for the female family members), an infinity pool has been designed on the first floor. The pool overlooks a lush garden and the trees come up to the first floor ensuring that the homeowners can enjoy a stunning view as they take a dip. The minimalistic design of the structure becomes a bridge between modern architecture and natural green landscapes.
OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES
Designing a home for a joint family is different and at times a difficult challenge. You need to ensure that it has a flexible design, as the members of the family vary from a four-yearold child to grandparents aged 75 plus. Therefore house is designed in such a way that it keeps the family connected yet gives individuals their own space and privacy. So, the home is in a C-shape creating a central green courtyard;
and the bedrooms are kept far away from each other.
KEEPING IT LIGHT
The main structure is on the western side leaving the large east facing garden open. In the morning it bathes in the sun and in the evening the building casts a shadow over the garden. The gorgeous east verandah was created to encourage outdoor living. The best part? The home gets ample natural light throughout the day through the central green and C-shaped passage’s skylight. The pergola in this area casts intricate patterns of shadows that constantly keep changing as the sun moves. That is how one gets connected with the sun even when you are inside. Another intersting aspect is the sculptural canopy at the entrance, which looks great and doubles up as a welcoming gesture. The family also believes in the importance of sports and fitness. This is the reason why the infinity pool has a steam and sauna next to it. Speaking of the outdoors, there’s even an open rest room designed to be used during outdoor gatherings. All in all, this bungalow is just the right mix of spatial planning, functionality and aesthetics.