Houzz Tours
Surat Houzz: An Airy House is Connected to Water, Greenery & Sunlight
This sheltered oasis scores high on privacy, comfort and design
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two daughters
Location: Surat, Gujarat
Year built: 2017
Size: 1300 square metre plot (14,000 square feet) with 1021 square metre built-up area (11,000 square feet); 5 bedrooms; 7 bathrooms.
Architecture and design firm: Hardik Shah, founder and principal architect, Studio Lagom
Photos by Photographix | Sebastian + Ira
“Simple aesthetics, a minimal material palette and connections to nature are the main drivers of the design,” says architect Hardik Shah of Studio Lagom. The villa, secluded from the city chaos and cocooned within a realm of greenery, blurs the lines between built spaces and nature. The ‘skewedness’ of the house comes from the garden where its elements have been built at an angle slightly off the straight line. This creates different points of view and perspective to the landscaped area. Shah visualised the entire project as interconnected vistas, so living spaces seamlessly blend with sit-outs that open on to the garden, internal water features visually connect with the exterior ones, and expansive glass windows and louvred doors invite the outdoors into the home.
Who lives here: A couple and their two daughters
Location: Surat, Gujarat
Year built: 2017
Size: 1300 square metre plot (14,000 square feet) with 1021 square metre built-up area (11,000 square feet); 5 bedrooms; 7 bathrooms.
Architecture and design firm: Hardik Shah, founder and principal architect, Studio Lagom
Photos by Photographix | Sebastian + Ira
“Simple aesthetics, a minimal material palette and connections to nature are the main drivers of the design,” says architect Hardik Shah of Studio Lagom. The villa, secluded from the city chaos and cocooned within a realm of greenery, blurs the lines between built spaces and nature. The ‘skewedness’ of the house comes from the garden where its elements have been built at an angle slightly off the straight line. This creates different points of view and perspective to the landscaped area. Shah visualised the entire project as interconnected vistas, so living spaces seamlessly blend with sit-outs that open on to the garden, internal water features visually connect with the exterior ones, and expansive glass windows and louvred doors invite the outdoors into the home.
“Rather than a forbidding, fortress-like compound wall, here an interesting elevation involving Valsadi teak battens, softened by cascades of creepers, intrigue the passer-by,” Shah says.
A clever hierarchy of plantation creates a screening effect, shielding the villa from the concrete structures surrounding it.
A discreet gateway leads to the two entry points of the main home, both of which lead to the first floor. The first way in is via a ramp that arrives at the elevated garden. “The idea was to create a journey of sorts, a constricted, perambulatory approach that finally releases the visitor into the garden,” Shah explains.
The garden has a central sunken lawn, surrounded by trees. It also features a lotus pond that is visually connected to the internal pooja kund (water body), the sit-outs extending from the living spaces and a gazebo. “An artistic dimension was added by extending the floor pattern of the gazebo into the kund,” Shah says.
The second entry is via the elevated main door that opens to the first floor of the villa. “With a cantilevered garden on one side and a creeper-clad wall on the other, the home extends a green welcome,” says Shah. The ground floor, accessed via the parking area, has the spa and gym.
The first floor has the open-plan living-and-dining room, kitchen, guest bedroom and home theatre room, while the second floor houses private spaces. “The spatial programme of the villa and the zoning of the plot were also dictated by the sudden floods that the city sometimes experiences,” he continues.
The first floor has the open-plan living-and-dining room, kitchen, guest bedroom and home theatre room, while the second floor houses private spaces. “The spatial programme of the villa and the zoning of the plot were also dictated by the sudden floods that the city sometimes experiences,” he continues.
The main entrance has louvred partitions and a small lobby that shield the main living space from direct view. “The entrance exemplifies the material palette of choice – exposed concrete, plaster, wood and stone – along with natural light, greenery and water,” Shah says.
As you enter the home, to the left is the puja room that is surrounded by a kund. “The water body is inspired by traditional temple tanks. The continuous sound of the tiny waterfall, along with the sunken water body and the height, create a soothing aura,” Shah says. The glass inset behind the tower brings the surrounding greenery into the room and visually connects the interior water body with the external lotus pond.
Tiles: Lapato finished z-black granite
Tiles: Lapato finished z-black granite
In the living room, large windows connect the interior with the green exterior. Placing the pelmet and curtain hardware near the ceiling and using full-length drapes gives the illusion of a higher ceiling.
The living area is sunken in comparison to the dining area. It distinguishes each zone while keeping both connected. Varied ceiling treatments help visually demarcate different zones.
A live edge dining table, which showcases the natural edge of the wood, adds interest to the dining area while the louvred floor-to-ceiling windows make the landscaped surroundings a part of the internal space. “The wooden louvred doors and windows pull light inside the built space, forming shadows. The play of light and shadow is another noticeable character of the villa,” he says.
Windows and interior woodwork: Burma and Valsadi teak
Windows and interior woodwork: Burma and Valsadi teak
Opposite the living room is a sunken pebbled courtyard that has been designed with an additional seating zone. “These pockets of seating allow people more freedom to use the space as per their choice,” Shah says.
The slatted skylight floods the staircase block with light while a large subtle grey artwork on the wall adds visual interest. “The 34-foot-high wall is engaging, with its Kalamkari inspired rendition by Kruti Sheta-Patel and the sciagraphy enabled by the skylight. The strict geometry of the shadows presents a wonderful contrast against the gentle arabesques of the artwork,” explains Shah.
The second floor houses the family’s private areas, such as the bedrooms and a small library.
The second floor houses the family’s private areas, such as the bedrooms and a small library.
In the master bedroom, the industrial vibe of concrete walls and black granite flooring has been tempered with warm wood pieces, natural light and colour infused through artwork and soft furnishings.
“The study area in the master bedroom projects outwards. The protrusion of the facade is deliberately developed to highlight this crucial area; it is cantilevered and given a separate identity through the material change,” reveals Shah.
The L-shaped glass slit that runs along this concrete box allows a constant dialogue with light, greenery and the outside world.
The ensuite bathroom is a spa-like space with ample greenery, lit by sunlight streaming through an overhead puncture. “The skylight and the landscaped patch in the shower cubicle satisfy the client’s requirements for connections with nature. Here, we have used leather-finished granite tiles balanced by polished travertine,” Shah says.
“The study area in the master bedroom projects outwards. The protrusion of the facade is deliberately developed to highlight this crucial area; it is cantilevered and given a separate identity through the material change,” reveals Shah.
The L-shaped glass slit that runs along this concrete box allows a constant dialogue with light, greenery and the outside world.
The ensuite bathroom is a spa-like space with ample greenery, lit by sunlight streaming through an overhead puncture. “The skylight and the landscaped patch in the shower cubicle satisfy the client’s requirements for connections with nature. Here, we have used leather-finished granite tiles balanced by polished travertine,” Shah says.
In the bedroom for one of the daughters, the architect has used a tall panelled headboard fixed to the wall. “The attempt was to design an elegant space that would be ageless but still resonate with youthful energy. The black leather-finished granite floor tiles set off the warmth of wood beautifully, while the silk panelled headboard adds to the mellow air,” Shah says.
Working with a similar material palette, another bedroom, occupied by the second daughter, reveals streamlined furniture and straight lines.This scheme is brought to life by vibrant soft furnishings and artwork.
Separate from the main villa and accessed via the parking area, the ground floor houses spaces for relaxation, such as a gym and a spa which includes a jacuzzi and steam room.
With walls and the floor clad in black leather-finish granite, the spa is infused with greenery. “Sunlight streams through the slatted skylight, which is actually at the garden level of the main living zone,” Shah concludes.
Read more:
Baroda Houzz: Geometric Designs & Play of Contrast Define This Bungalow
Bangalore Houzz: This Home Balances Principles of Vastu & Good Design
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
Read more:
Baroda Houzz: Geometric Designs & Play of Contrast Define This Bungalow
Bangalore Houzz: This Home Balances Principles of Vastu & Good Design
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
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