Fact File
Typology: ResidenceName of Project: House of Generations
Location: Ahmedabad
Built-Up Area: 2100 sqm
Photographer: Umang Shah
The design aim was to craft a dwelling that offered both privacy and a bond with the lush green surroundings, along with a judicious use of materials.
Hartmut Wurster, Principal Architect
In the heart of an urban landscape where towering structures rise like sentinels, a captivating private residential villa stands tall. The house introduces a captivating sense of layering. A deftly placed glass element demarcates the interior from the semi-open and open spaces, allowing a gradual transition into the built environment.
A custom-designed flexible façade that can be retracted and folded, is the defining element of the villa. Its intricately designed louvers, inspired by the traditional jaalis of the region’s vernacular architecture, not only uphold the desired privacy levels but also regulate the micro-climate within the villa, offering a respite from the scorching summers of Ahmedabad. Deep balconies and adjustable screens add to the experience.
Minimalism resonates throughout the architecture; with a seamless continuity, the villa boasts a select few materials. The floors are of a single expanse of marble, the walls of lime plaster in varying shades, the facade showcases the elegance of stone, and the flexible screens are of wood. The interior décor is highlighted by a double-height expanse adorned with designer lighting fixtures, and a skylight. Cantilevers and opening screens, facilitate cross ventilation and provide glare and heat control apart from privacy. Minimal, clean-lined furniture blend seamlessly with the overall design philosophy. Beyond the villa’s walls, a lush green courtyard creates an enchanting sensory experience.
