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)
The way we design spaces that people inhabit goes beyond mere functionality. It requires an intentional sensitivity to how each detail shapes the overall experience and interaction with the surrounding ecological context. Nestled in the suburban periphery of Nashik, the project occupies a 3700 sq. ft. plot located at the dead-end of a street, adjacent […]
Kerala style homes have courtyards surrounded by rooms on each side. Traditional Kerala-style homes have a central courtyard known as Nadumuttam surrounded by rooms. These homes promote natural light and ventilation according to the region’s climate. These homes, due to the feature of courtyards as their core spaces, offer beautiful opportunities for social gatherings. This […]
In a time when design is often reduced to trends, Yaahvi’s light design stands as a reminder of tactility, tradition, and craftsmanship. Founded by Nikita Bansal, who journeyed from Assam to the global design stage, champions a philosophy where contemporary aesthetics meet age-old Indian craftsmanship. In this exclusive interview, Nikita reflects on her early influences, […]
India, a nation bustling with innovation and a constant drive for progress, is increasingly embracing an unconventional yet incredibly promising architectural trend: container architecture. We are witnessing a fascinating transformation, as discarded shipping containers, once traversing the high seas laden with goods, now find new life as dynamic, sustainable, and surprisingly sophisticated living and working […]
This bungalow style house influences the site context and can be visualised in multiple facades of sharp edges & cuboidal form. Her,e salient features like U-Projection are an expression of the bench on a level one. The house divides itself into three bays. On the ground floor, where first bay acquire all public activities like […]
Imagine yourself on the terrace of your hidden mountain retreat, drinking a fresh cup of coffee as you admire the sunrise emerging from behind the rolling hills across the valley. This serene atmosphere is exactly what Hello Wood’s latest project, the Console House, is designed to offer. The Console House showcases modern architecture design while […]
As cities continue to grow and evolve, there is a growing desire to incorporate elements of rural living into urban design. By embracing rural living principles, cities can create more eco-friendly and sustainable spaces. Rural living is not just about wide-open spaces and rolling hills. It’s also about community, sustainability, and a connection to nature. […]
Located in the thriving city of Ichalkaranji, this is an example of luxury residences is a seamless blend of timeless elegance and modern sophistication. The striking exterior, adorned with brick and natural stone cladding, exudes warmth, character, and permanence. These rich textures create a visually captivating façade, harmonizing tradition with contemporary design while making a […]
Throughout history, stone has embodied permanence, artistry, and raw beauty in architecture. From the grandeur of Roman amphitheaters to the earthy elegance of modern villas, stone remains a beloved material for its strength, sustainability, and aesthetic richness. As design trends evolve toward natural materials, eco-conscious decisions, and biophilic design, stone has found new expressions — […]
The space adopts a biophilic office design and climate-responsive approach, creating a workspace that reimagines urban interiors by deeply embedding them with nature. The style is earthy, minimal, and modern with a strong contextual sensitivity to its location. Also, a lush canopy surrounds the bare-shell site on the first floor, allowing for abundant daylight and […]