This modern house by the lake is inspired by traditional Wada architecture while incorporating contemporary aesthetics and functionality. Embracing nature, the architectural design reflects cultural heritage, technological advancements, and natural surroundings. With its exposed brick exterior, central courtyard, landscaping, a swimming pool by the lake, and a narrow alley entrance reminiscent of old Wadas, this residence harmonises historical architecture with modern living.
Editor’s Note: “Emerging from the bank of the lake, this house by Studio Prakriya is inspired by traditional Wada Architecture. Serenity flows throughout the house with its harmonious blend of cultural, technological, and nature-inspired design. By incorporating earthy hues in and out, the design slowly merges back into the surrounding nature, creating a placid personal sanctuary.” ~ Rajvi Dedakiya
This house by the lake is Inspired by Wada Architecture | Studio Prakriya
Wada houses, traditional in Maharashtra, India, are also known for their robust construction and inward-facing design centered around a courtyard, fostering social interaction and climate protection. Moreover, adapting this classic design for a modern residence involved retaining the Wada’s essence while addressing contemporary needs.
The client’s deep connection to his ancestral Wada, now demolished, brings emotional depth to the design process. Additionally, it was crucial to evoke nostalgia and honor his heritage.
The house features a substantial façade of exposed brick, providing visual continuity with traditional Wadas and utilizing locally sourced materials. This choice offers thermal mass for regulating internal temperatures.
The exterior’s fortress-like appearance contrasts with the openness of the interior, characteristic of modern design. Entering through a narrow alley, visitors experience an intimate transition from the outside. Inside, open spaces with large glass walls and folding doors connect the indoors to the lake.
The central courtyard serves as a focal point while allowing natural light to flood the home and enhancing the connection to nature. The design carefully considers human scale, ensuring functional and comfortable spaces.
Elements like doorways and ceiling heights create intimacy, reflecting the human-centric approach of traditional Wada architecture.
Two landscaped courts separate bedrooms from living areas, acting as natural buffers. These spaces integrate seamlessly with the architecture, enhancing tranquillity. Mature trees provide privacy and shade, enriching the home’s environmental quality.
The design thoughtfully integrates the house with its lakeside setting. Large windows and terraces offer unobstructed views, creating a dialogue between indoor and outdoor spaces. The combination of robust exposed brick with light, reflective interiors maximizes natural light while providing lake views.
A small swimming pool at the lake’s edge not only adds modern luxury but also maintains harmony with the environment, offering a relaxing space for family enjoyment.
Incorporating modern sustainability practices while honoring traditional roots, the house features a rainwater collection system for efficient water management. Moreover, advanced insulation and smart climate control systems enhance natural ventilation and passive cooling.
This modern lakeside house transcends mere residential structure; it reinterprets traditional Wada architecture, blending historical reverence with contemporary innovation. The exposed brick, central courtyard, and landscaped courts reflect a balance between past and present.
Thus by integrating natural elements with sustainable practices, the house pays homage to its roots while addressing modern living demands, serving as a heartfelt tribute to the client’s cherished ancestral Wada memories.
Fact File
Designed by: Studio Prakriya
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Habitat by The Lake
Location: Satara, Maharashtra
Year Built: 2024
Project Size: 5000 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Pratik Devi
Design Team: Pratik Devi, Swanand Kulkarni, Karan Ahire, Vedant Kadam, Tejas Joshi & Isha Pattewar
Photograph Courtesy: Pranit Bora & Manthan Yadav
Manufacturers: Tata Steel
Landscape Architecture: Studio 23N|72E
Structural Engineer: Vijay Devi
Technical Team: Narendra Pansare, Tejas Joshi
Landscape Architects: Dhara and Nishant Mittal
Source: ArchDaily
Firm’s Instagram Link: Studio Prakriya
For Similar Project>> This Six Bedroom House Design Offers an Experience That is Refined
Gurgaon’s architecture reflects the rapid transformation of a once-sleepy suburb into one of India’s most dynamic urban centers. Characterized by its striking skyline of glass-clad towers, corporate parks, and luxury residences, the city embodies a blend of modernism and global urban aspirations. Contemporary architecture in Gurgaon emphasizes verticality, smart technology, and sustainable design, with green-certified […]
Architecture in Goa is an ever-evolving dialogue between tropical modernism and cultural heritage. Known for its scenic coastline, Portuguese influences, and laid-back charm, Goa carries an architectural identity that seamlessly merges history with contemporary living. In recent years, architects in Goa have been redefining the state’s built environment by blending vernacular wisdom with innovative, sustainable […]
Nestled in the vibrant urban setting of Balaji Nagar, Sangli, The Red Abode with a terracotta facade redefines contemporary living with its seamless integration of modern design and nature. Designed for an IT professional seeking tranquility and inspiration, this project exemplifies how architecture can foster harmony between the built environment and the natural world. A […]
This bungalow in Udaipur, Rajasthan, designed for the Gandhi family, exemplifies a refined blend of modern contemporary architecture with subtle regional sensitivity. The zoning and design is grounded in clean lines, bold geometric volumes, and a sophisticated interplay of materials. The façade combines natural travertine, matte black cladding, and warm wood for contrast and harmony. […]
Nestled in the serene surroundings of Swarnabhoomi, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Ivory Courtyard is more than just a residence—it is an architectural statement that harmoniously blends Indian traditional values with modern contemporary living. With its pristine ivory colour exterior symbolising purity and sophistication, this home stands as a beacon of elegance and comfort for the two families […]
“Even within the smallest green lies all the purity and freshness of Eden.” This idea became the seed for Eden Moss, a home nestled in an ecological environment and imagined as a breath of freshness, evoking the scent of mud after rain, and seamlessly intertwined with nature while still embracing comfort and contextual charm. Nestled […]
Nestled in what was once a coconut orchard, Sanctum serves as a sanctuary for a retired couple. Their daughter & a feline companion join them to offer a tranquil environment for everyday goings-on. The site is a 60’ x 90’ portion of land with six coconut trees. Two teak wood & silver oak trees, each […]
Tucked into the calm, tree-lined lanes of Nagarbhavi in Bangalore, Avani Residence rises as a poetic response to the chaos of the city, a vertical sanctuary where light dances, materials breathe, and space unfolds in gentle rhythms. Designed by Archemist Architects for a family of four, the residence is a nuanced interplay between constraint and […]
Adorn, a home filled with earthen design and the laughter of a family of four, nestles in the peaceful neighborhood of Selvapuram, Coimbatore. “On one side, it shares boundaries with cozy family homes; meanwhile, the other side opens to expansive fields dotted with tall trees.” The fresh air scented with greenery sets a calming atmosphere […]
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 […]