Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Mandvi Home Blends in With its Location
As a response to the extreme climate and densely packed surroundings, this introverted home looks only above for light and ventilation
After migrating abroad, the owners saw this ancestral property, in the heart of Mandvi, as a means to stay connected to their roots. But it had to be made comfortable enough to make them want to visit their old hometown. “The client’s brief was simple,” says Sanjeev Panjabi of SPASM Design Architects. “They needed a home equipped with modern-day comforts … Yet it had to retain the flavour of the region.”
Given the extreme climate and that the site was located in the densely packed inner city, the architects visualised an introverted home that, to an extent, turned away from the views outside, and would draw its light mainly from the sky overhead. Sangeeta Merchant adds, “Drawing inspiration from the materials and spaces around, we designed a structure that sits perfectly within the context of its surroundings, yet stands as a modern interpretation of this old harbour city.”
Given the extreme climate and that the site was located in the densely packed inner city, the architects visualised an introverted home that, to an extent, turned away from the views outside, and would draw its light mainly from the sky overhead. Sangeeta Merchant adds, “Drawing inspiration from the materials and spaces around, we designed a structure that sits perfectly within the context of its surroundings, yet stands as a modern interpretation of this old harbour city.”
During its heyday, Mandvi was a major port in Gujarat and therefore became a walled city with heavy fortifications and darwazas (gates) says Merchant. “Inspired by the fort walls and the gateways of that time, we completely clad the body of the building in a locally procured stone called khavda. To give it an aged look, the stone was then pitted (pre-aged) to echo the feel and texture of the worn bastions of ages past,” she adds.
Wooden slats are used to construct the roof leading up to the front entrance, as well as the fence containing the entire property.
As part of their research, the architects visited many homes in the neighbourhood to learn about local spatial configurations and materials that had been used. Merchant explains, “As a result of this, we have achieved a design that recreates the same sense of space, light quality and intimacy as the homes that exist around this house.”
Entering the home after negotiating the noisy bustle of the narrow, winding streets outside, one is struck by the sense of peace and tranquility within.
Entering the home after negotiating the noisy bustle of the narrow, winding streets outside, one is struck by the sense of peace and tranquility within.
The ground floor living area is primarily white with minimal furniture that is a collection of pieces the owners already possessed. Some were sourced from antique stores in southern India and neighbouring areas.
Taking a cue from other homes in the neighbourhood, the flooring throughout the house is made of white Bhaswara marble, while the walls and ceilings are seamlessly rendered in cool white lime plaster. Details, such as in-wall storage units, make for cleaner looking rooms and better utilisation of the available space.
Taking a cue from other homes in the neighbourhood, the flooring throughout the house is made of white Bhaswara marble, while the walls and ceilings are seamlessly rendered in cool white lime plaster. Details, such as in-wall storage units, make for cleaner looking rooms and better utilisation of the available space.
The home is split across three levels with the public areas – dining, living and kitchen – on the ground level. The first floor consists of the private spaces – the family room and four bedrooms with attached bathrooms, while the terrace level houses the outdoor entertainment lounge.
Another vernacular element the architects wanted to include in response to the climate was the sky courtyard. Merchant says, “Courts used to be incorporated into the architecture as a means to mitigate heat that could move up through the house via a staircase. We thus tried to retain this as a major feature.”
Lights suspended at various heights create a dynamic element in the court. “We needed something here to activate that volume and it had to be contemporary,” says Panjabi. “Thus, we fashioned this light installation from Russian pole lamps and chains to create drama as one ascends the stairs.”
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The ceiling of the first-floor family room soars at double height, to counterpoise the courtyard space, which it faces. “We wanted to bring in light, ventilation and a sense of volume since it gets very hot here,” says Panjabi.
The only colour in this space comes from a blue accent wall with a display of colourful cow-head artefacts. He continues, “We painted the wall on a whim, to accentuate the double height, while the cow heads and Krishna-blue colour were chosen to highlight the main influences in the region.”
The only colour in this space comes from a blue accent wall with a display of colourful cow-head artefacts. He continues, “We painted the wall on a whim, to accentuate the double height, while the cow heads and Krishna-blue colour were chosen to highlight the main influences in the region.”
While the home looks inward to minimise the views of the outside, the treatment of the rooftop terrace on the second floor provides that much-needed sense of openness and release. “The timber jaali around the terrace creates an intimate lounging space to enjoy cool evenings … The jaali is designed in such a way that the blue of the sky bleeds into the gaps between the timber verticals, akin to the balustrades of the neighbouring homes,” says Merchant. The jaali draws the eye upwards, from the intimate terrace enclosure to the infinite space of the Kutch sky.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: A House of Courtyards
Houzz Tour: A Contemporary City Home With a Clever Terrace
Tell us:
What do you think of this modernised ancestral home? Share your thoughts in Comments below.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: A House of Courtyards
Houzz Tour: A Contemporary City Home With a Clever Terrace
Tell us:
What do you think of this modernised ancestral home? Share your thoughts in Comments below.
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Who lives here: Three generations of a family
Location: Mandvi, Gujarat
Year built: October 2016
Size: 300 square metres total built-up area
Architectural designers: Sangeeta Merchant, Mansoor Kudalkar, Anish Shetty, Vishal Patel and Sanjeev Panjabi of SPASM Design Architects
Photos by Sebastian Zachariah and Ira Gosalia | PHX India
In response to the climate and its packed surroundings, the house has been constructed with narrow screens of thin timber verticals that maintain privacy and let in only a light breeze while restricting the sunlight.
Traditionally, houses in Mandvi were built of load-bearing walls and timber. Although this house is constructed with a concrete frame, the architects did incorporate timber as a jaali made of thin wooden verticals. The jaali wraps primarily around the roof terrace, filtering the sunlight. “Since the buildings are tightly packed next to one another, the jaali also prevents neighbours from peering into the outdoor entertainment area,” says Panjabi.