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Veraval Houzz: A Coastal Gujarat Home With Kerala Influences
Pitched ceiling, brick walls and a pond define the Kerala-inspired architecture of this home by Hiren Patel Architects
“Though born and brought up in Gujarat, the widely travelled homeowners trace their roots back to Kerala. They wanted this home to reflect their global travels and connect them to their lineage,” says Hiren Patel, founder and principal architect of Hiren Patel Architects. Adhering to this brief, this home’s architecture highlights distinctive vernacular elements such as sloping tiled roofs, deep verandahs and traditional ceramic tile floors.
Native plants flank the narrow paved walkway leading to the house. A hand-pulled cart makes an eye-catching garden fixture. According to Patel, the lady of the house is very passionate about landscaping.
10 Clever Urban Gardens
10 Clever Urban Gardens
The main door opens into a passageway lined with expansive doors and windows to facilitate ventilation and bring in natural light.
The interiors of this tropical retreat draw inspiration from the homeowners’ lifestyle; they frequently travel to Europe, especially Italy. Considering this, the architect used ceramic tile flooring across the house to imbue the rusticity and earthiness of Italian villas. The tiles are sourced from Kerala.
Find an architect from the Houzz directory to design your home
The interiors of this tropical retreat draw inspiration from the homeowners’ lifestyle; they frequently travel to Europe, especially Italy. Considering this, the architect used ceramic tile flooring across the house to imbue the rusticity and earthiness of Italian villas. The tiles are sourced from Kerala.
Find an architect from the Houzz directory to design your home
The passage leads to a family lounge and dining area. A pitched wooden ceiling with exposed wooden beams draws the eyes upwards and add softness and depth to the interiors. The pitched roof also keeps the home cool during the warmer months.
Behind the sofa is the dining space. The cross-legged dining table has an unpolished rustic look and is anchored by an area rug. An antique chest of drawers and a cabinet flank the table.
A small verandah abuts the family room on the east and permeates the space with indirect light.
9 Indian Homes That Celebrate Vernacular Architecture & Design
9 Indian Homes That Celebrate Vernacular Architecture & Design
There is another verandah on the west, which is used for outdoor dining. According to the architect, this semi-open area is a great way to enjoy both the outdoors and indoors.
Swathed in white, a skylight and kitchen island anchor the modular kitchen next to the dining room.
Browse through more pictures of modular kitchens on Houzz
Browse through more pictures of modular kitchens on Houzz
“As one walks along the lily pond passage, they cross the two guest rooms and a powder bathroom to reach the master bedroom at the end of the corridor. Glass windows give uninterrupted views of the pond outside. The corridor is lined with an antique wardrobe and dresser along the walls,” says Patel.
In Kerala vernacular architecture, every home has an ambal kulam or pond. This one has a long lily pond that runs parallel to the corridor.
Get complete insight on Kerala architecture
Get complete insight on Kerala architecture
At the end of the corridor is the master bathroom. The design of this room is a confluence of two cultures. A traditional Gujarati bed with vibrant cushions and quilt offsets the neutral palette interiors. The vertical height of the pitched roof gives ample space for a mezzanine area.
Paint: Asian Paints; furniture: FabIndia
Paint: Asian Paints; furniture: FabIndia
One can directly access the garden from the master bedroom or make the most of the views from the cosy window seat.
The master bathroom features earthy ceramic tiles and windows with louvred wooden shutters for privacy. A large glass window further back looks out to the tropical garden.
Surrounded by lush foliage, this L-shaped swimming pool is a great way to beat the heat.
Read more:
Kerala Houzz: Vernacular Architecture Comes Alive in This Home
A Luxurious Multigenerational Bungalow in a Gujarat Village
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
Read more:
Kerala Houzz: Vernacular Architecture Comes Alive in This Home
A Luxurious Multigenerational Bungalow in a Gujarat Village
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Veraval, Gujarat
Year built: 2009
Size: 930 square metres (10,000 square feet); 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Architect and design firm: Hiren Patel Architects
Photos by PHX India | Sebastian + Ira
Nestled in Veraval’s lush coastal region, this home serves as an idyllic retreat for the homeowners. Clad in tiles sourced from Kerala, the angled roof offsets the ground storey house’s horizontal scale.
“We are proud of how the architecture blends seamlessly with the natural landscaping. Even with a large wooden roof structure, the brick-walled house looks grounded and connected to the earth,” says Patel.