Succinct And Simple Bungalow Design Of Vadodara | Studio Yamini
The project involved creating a home for a family of three, on a corner plot within a society of private villas in Vadodara. Being a corner plot, resulted in a little extra space that had to be used differently. The brief was succinct and simple: a large living room, dining, kitchen, guest bedroom and a common bathroom on the ground floor and two master bedrooms with ensuites on the first floor. The compact plot — it measured a tight 1,650 square feet — yielded the architects a footprint of 875 square foot (built-up).
The important aspect of this project, therefore, was space management — and much of the design deliberation revolved around strategies of leveraging the footprint of the ground floor without making it seem cramped. The most challenging aspect of working on this project, state the architects, was to accommodate the maximum in minimum. Their thoughts, naturally, turned to an open-plan articulation.
The living and dining areas were orchestrated as an ‘L’, with the long arm being the living room and the adjacent dining area arranged perpendicular to it. The furniture configuration — meticulously planned beforehand — used minimal pieces to achieve the ‘open and larger’ sense of space.
Additionally, most of the furniture was kept as loose pieces to create a lighter feel. All the public areas were kept open, whereas the private areas like bedroom were concealed within four walls. Large windows were provided to get more natural light — which again helped in making space look bigger and facilitated cross ventilation.
A minimal material and colour palette also aided in effecting a spacious feel: plain white walls, Kota flooring, and teak wood furniture. The white walls helped in reflecting light and giving the home a visually buoyant feel; Kota stone brought in an earthy look and teakwood (mostly recycled) made it warmer, cozier and more homely. Among the materials, Kota plays a strong role in interior treatment.
The architects have tried to use the natural stone — often disregarded decor-wise and relegated to high-traffic areas — in a different way by leveraging its natural variations. The architects had the Kota cut into planks and fixed these in a herringbone pattern. The overall lighting has been kept soft to further enhance the ambiance. Direct as well as indirect lights have been provided in the design to achieve both the moods.
While the clients found the design philosophy of ‘keep it simple’ difficult to digest initially, they grew to like it after a few sampling exercises were undertaken and as the project progressed. Today, visitors find it hard to believe that so much has been done in such a small area. The simplicity and ‘plainness’ which were concerns earlier have become points of appreciation.
Fact file
Location: Bungalow at Vadodara.
Area: 1,970 square feet (total built-up G+1)
Design firm: Studioyamini
Design team: Mitul Shah, Mehul Shah, and Kajal Shah
Photograph credits: Photographix | Sebastian + Ira
Artists: Backdrop in children’s bedroom by Ashish Chakraborty
Materials
Brown Kota (floor), white paint (walls); teakwood (paneling and woodwork) and gypsum (ceiling)
Editor’s Note: There’s something truly special about homes crafted with thought and care—where every corner and detail speaks to its users, becoming part of their memories. For siblings Akhila and Kaushik, Sona Reddy Studio brought this vision to life in One Summer House, a rustic farmhouse tucked within the vibrant city of Hyderabad. Designed with […]
Editor’s Note: Matharoo Associates created this unique expression of design, where textured concrete façades hide quietly behind the surrounding landscape that has been carefully retained. With thoughtful deliberation, they achieve a perfect balance where practicality, creativity, and functionality come together seamlessly. As sunlight falls across the surfaces, it creates an intangible texture, almost like watching […]
This southwest-facing bungalow, with golden accents in its interiors, is a refined expression of contextual and climate-responsive modern architecture. The home embraces its orientation with an intelligent façade design that balances aesthetic appeal and environmental performance. With the sun’s harshest rays hitting the structure in the latter half of the day, the architects incorporated a […]
This North Facing villa opens towards the East to always soak in the cool and diffused light. Its orientation is mindful of the adjoining clubhouse and its expansive garden. The planning allows the villa’s private lawn to visually merge with it, creating a larger and cohesive space. With a connection to the open space at […]
An Urban Sanctuary Woven with Craft, Warmth, and Light Explicitly tucked into a quiet residential pocket, this home with a jaali facade is a thoughtfully layered expression of calm, character, and craftsmanship. Every surface and corner is rooted in intention — where light, material, and memory meet. The Jaali Design in this Layered Home Exudes […]
The design of the house prioritises connectivity to nature by incorporating green elements like vertical gardens or landscaped courtyards. This is achieved through various means, such as large windows framing scenic views, outdoor living spaces seamlessly merging with the surrounding landscape. The emphasis on connectivity to nature creates a serene and harmonious environment, fostering a […]
“Viraam,” a 4000 sq ft house design that embodies its literal translation: “a pause.” The vision is to create a sanctuary for relaxation, introspection, and to escape from the constant demands of daily life – an urban void for personal retreat. Editor’s Note: “Viraam is not just a house, it’s a pause. A place to […]
Set in the serene landscape of Nashik, the Dabholkar Residence by GDA is a home, embracing stone clad walls. Here, tradition and contemporary design exist in harmony. Designed to reflect the family’s deep connection to tradition and art while embracing the style of contemporary living, it is a space where architectural details, heritage furniture, artwork […]
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 […]
The door design for main door is a defining feature of any Indian home, embodying both style and cultural significance. In a country rich with diverse architectural traditions, the entrance to your home reflects not only personal taste but also cultural heritage. Whether you’re drawn to the intricate carvings of traditional Indian door designs or […]