The house is built on a frame structure consisting of 9 squares that hold and negotiate the program with the surrounding grids. It is on the outskirts of Ahmedabad surrounded by a canopy of the Yellow Gulmohar trees. The built form is essentially a cuboid carved in and projected out in response to the functions inside.
Editor’s Note: “In the warm embrace of yellow gulmohar on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, this abode stands with its striking mud-brown shade. The residence standing on the frame of nine squares, creates a captivating composition of cuboids. The harmonious blend of greys and browns, coupled with meticulous spatial design, invites a feeling of expansiveness and liberation.” ~Simran Khare
The House Is Built On A Frame Structure Consisting Of 9 Squares | Terra Firma Architects
It was designed for a family of four, where the parents would spend their retired life while the children would be engrossed in developing their careers. Fundamentally, it had to respond to the needs of two generations where one can come together to enjoy each other’s company but also respect their time alone. Keeping in mind such a brief, the architecture of this frame structure responds to a variety of spaces of various scales where one can unwind.
This house thus responds to the climate and the lifestyle of the inhabitants. The use of Kota stone and terrazzo for flooring, maximum wooden windows, and inbuilt seatings was to keep the home timeless and user-friendly.
However, when one enters the built form, the axis of orienting is twisted diagonally by the entry, which contradicts the overall massing of the cuboid.
Further, as one progresses, the paths diverge into two of which one moves towards the kitchen and the other to the sunken seating in the center of the house. This central seating is a double volume, which visually connects the entire house and brings it together.
It has been designed to be the most social and interactive space in the house. The staircase is a central element here which wraps around the sunk seating and stretches from one corner to the other in the form of bridges.
The first floor consists of two bedrooms on the south and west sides that overlook the double volume internally, thus creating a very visually connected space.
The functions are distributed based on the use of that space and its microclimate. For instance, The west and south sides house the bedrooms that are predominantly used during early mornings and nights.
So it is largely undisturbed by the day’s heat. The dining and living spaces remain cool throughout the day because of north and east orientation.
The studio space on the second floor is above the bedrooms. Thus, it creates a shaded terrace for most part of day.
Light and shadow form an integral part of the spaces inside the house. The skylights, northern facades and all the openings allow least amount of sunlight to penetrate inside the house. Thus, it keeps the interiors cooler while maintaining enough daylight.
North facade has maximum openings while other facades and openings have been though about with respect to the lighting conditions.
Fact File
Designed by: Terra Firma Architects
Project Type: Residence Architecture Design
Project Name: Terra Kota House
Location: Ahmedabad, India
Year Built: 2024
Project Size: 3000 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Hitarth Majithiya & Netra Bafna
Photograph Courtesy: MKG studio
Firm’s Website Link: Terra Firma Architects
The Firm’s Instagram Link: Terra Firma Architects
Firm’s Facebook Link: Terra Firma Architects
Source: Archdaily
For Similar Project >>> This Aesthetic Courtyard House With Lush Landscape Design Offers A Calm Aura To The Users
The site is located in Ahilyanagar town of Maharashtra, with a design brief of 7,000 sq feet, while the house had to be designed for the hot and dry climate, which responds carefully to extreme temperatures, intense sunlight, and low humidity. The design focuses on reducing heat gain, improving natural ventilation, and creating comfortable indoor spaces with […]
“Pravah” — A House That Breathes is envisioned as the main concept of this home revolves around a fluid, light-filled home where architecture becomes a continuous experience of movement, air, and connection. Located in Pal Gamtal, Surat, the project is a residential redevelopment on a 1,850 sq.ft. plot within a dense urban fabric. The site, […]
SapanoUday is a contemporary residence that balances material rawness with layered textures and crafted detail, aligning modern living with cultural and spatial sensibilities. Designed by Hundreddesigns, the home responds closely to the client’s routines and artistic inclinations while thoughtfully integrating Vastu principles. HundredDesigns The designers defined the architecture through a minimal palette, using exposed concrete […]
KRIPA is a residence that reflects the personality and lifestyle of its homeowner — calm, open, and rooted in nature. The project focuses on creating light-filled, green spaces with minimal private zones, encouraging openness and connection. In a time when spaces are shrinking but expectations are rising, architecture becomes the medium to bridge this gap […]
The Sculpted Sanctuary is a masterclass in modern minimalist design. The project focuses on “Quiet Luxury”. It is the idea that a space doesn’t need bright colors or flashy decor to feel expensive. Instead, it uses raw natural materials, rich textures, and sharp architectural lines. This Home Is A Masterclass In Modern Minimalist Design | […]
SIDHARTHA, is a four-bedroom modern house which is functional and aesthetic driven by the specific needs of the client. The location of the site is in a dense neighbourhood in Bengaluru, India. The contemporary urban dwelling frequently negotiates competing demands. It balances generous daylight and visual connection to the street with privacy, dust control, and […]
Located in HMT Layout, Bangalore, Isha_Srinidhi Nilaya stands as a multi-generational home designed on a compact 60×40 ft (2400 sq. ft) East facing plot, with a total built-up area of 8000 sq. ft. East Facing a lush public park, the residence responds to its urban setting through a layered design that balances privacy with a […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]
Plants for home garden, apart from making houses look more beautiful and inviting, add health and calmness to them. Having any kind of indoor plant, a herb plant or a flowering plant adds some value to your decor and the quality of the space. Always choose plants that will flourish in your space and climate. […]