Balkash is a small rural village of approximately 200 families located in the northern city limits of Surat. The village settlement originates around a lake, with two linear streets lined by rows of traditional pitched-roof tropical houses leading to the surrounding farmlands. Proximity to the sea and a high groundwater table allow for the cultivation of crops such as sugarcane, paddy, and coconut plantations. The people here lead an austere life with simplistic ideals and an affinity to nature. The farm house design in this village connects inhabitants with their roots and supports agricultural activities simultaneously.
Editor’s Note: Taking inspiration from the traditional construction of the surrounding area, this country farmhouse sets out to take its dwellers through the nostalgia of rural life and values with its design. Built with local materials and minimal design, this context-centric farmhouse perfectly blends modernity and slow country living. ~ Rajvi Dedakiya
ROOMOOR
Our patron, who owns a textile mill at Surat, has employed many people from Balkash over the last decades. A long-standing bond based on trust and community ties encouraged him to acquire farmland in the village.
During our initial meeting, he fondly recalled his childhood in his native village home before migrating from the Saurashtra region in western Gujarat to Surat.
The farmhouse serves a dual purpose: it supports agricultural activities. Additionally, it aims to connect his grandchildren with their roots and the nostalgia of rural life and values.
The site lies at the junction between the village settlement and the farmlands. Our studies of the pitched roofs and cross-ventilation strategies of the village’s vernacular architecture informed a design incorporating shaded semi-covered verandahs on both sides of the enclosed band of rooms.
A central courtyard with a tree symbolizes the beginning of the house. Moreover, a circum-ambulatory pathway connects the surrounding rooms. Additionally, it reflects the climatic responsiveness and cultural traditions passed down through generations.Â
An archetypical courtyard home consists of multiple layered spatial compositions that enhance privacy toward the center.
The central area represents a microcosm of the outside world, bridging the Earth and the sky. In search of a space to gather children, their instinctive curiosity and dynamic movement shaped our design ideas.
The dual purpose of the farmhouse now faces the challenge of balancing static and dynamic elements. All enclosed rooms feature two doors. Thus, allowing for multiple entry and exit points, which fosters openness and exploration.
The addition of courtyards at the edges encourages free movement and a flowing spatial character. Moreover, this layout fosters unexpected encounters at each turn. Thus, liberating the traditional typology from its symmetrically structured layout.
The concentric orbits stemming from the square-shaped courtyard extend into the landscape. An elevated water tank tower reflects the skyward expanse. Additionally it shades the courtyard from maximum southwestern solar radiation.
The lightly lifted horizontal roof provides shade for all spaces. Meanwhile, the rooms are illuminated by soothing diffused light from top-light windows, reminiscent of the old village houses.
The paved forecourt acts as a grain-drying yard during the two harvest seasons. The plinth features a river-polished red Mandana stone floor. However, it is supported by galvanized box-section columns that hold up the terracotta tile roof on metal rafters.
The lightweight structure rests on 120 cm deep pile foundations and has the potential to adapt to future changes. The doors, windows, and other pieces of furniture are crafted from reclaimed teak wood sourced from nearby regions. Moreover, it is designed in repetitive-sized modules to allow for future repurposing.
The village community uses two-thirds of the land for farming. Fruit plantations attract various species of birds, inspiring curiosity for nature in young minds. The journey of the home at Balkash comes full circle, connecting childhood nostalgia and strengthening family ties of the future.
In the evenings as one sits on the verandah the distant sound of religious hymns from the village temple creates a serene atmosphere as the sun sets over the vast fields.
Fact File
Designed by: ROOMOOR
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Farmhouse at Balkash
Location: Balkash, Surat
Year Built: 2024
Project Size: 5651.05 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Dhruv Gusain
Project Team: Dhruv Gusain, Dhaval Modi, Pratik Pachchigar
Photograph Courtesy: Jainee Gusain
Principal Partners: Mahendra Gusain
Landscape Architect: Aishvarya Dubey
Color Contractor: Anirudh Shahi
Furnishing: VD Furnishing
Manufacturers: Daikin, Kohler, Lafit Lighting
Carpentry Contractor: Bajrang bhai
Lighting: Sunshine Enterprise
Landscape Contractor: Ramsevak
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Instagram Link: ROOMOOR
For Similar Projects >> A Climate Responsive Courtyard House In Kerala With An Earthy Palette And Natural Materials
In the vibrant town of Kannur, Kerala, the contemporary house design of this residence is more than a home—it’s a sanctuary designed to nurture both body and soul. Built for a family of five, it blends minimalist elegance with everyday comfort, creating a space that feels alive, welcoming, and deeply connected to nature. Editor’s Note: […]
True to its name, Retreat Home by Neogenesis+Studi0261 is a getaway home to escape the frenzied hustle and bustle of city life. A holiday home to a diamond merchant in Surat, this elemental yet contemporary house has been designed to embrace extended families, making room for warm interactions as it seamlessly connects the indoors with […]
The one-acre site of Saukhya Farm is nestled in the lush valley of Beze Village, on the outskirts of Nashik. Surrounded by small farms, it offers sweeping views of Beze Dam and the surrounding hills. The clients’ brief was to transform the site into a farmhouse and to cultivate part of it into an orchard. Work […]
Nestled on the bustling Karnavati Road in Ahmedabad, this modern residence spans over a 10,881 sq. ft. corner plot, seamlessly integrating form, function, and tranquility. The house is thoughtfully planned in an L-shaped configuration of this house design, with its entry oriented to the east and a lush garden strategically placed in the southwest corner […]
In the heart of a dense urban fabric lies this conscientiously designed three-storeyed residence ‘VILAS’ in a plot of 1700 sq. ft. for a multi-generational family catering and navigating the requirements and ensuring their dreams come to reality. This three-storey house design is carefully crafted cuboid with interesting solids and voids, creating peripheral balconies and […]
Designing a home is not just about creating a space—it’s about crafting an experience that reflects the personality of its inhabitants while balancing aesthetics with functionality and sustainability. This contemporary, a private residential bungalow house located in Ahmedabad, India, stands as a testament to that philosophy. Designed for a family of four, the space merges […]
This contemporary exterior house design is nestled behind the vibrant pulse of a bustling hospital. This residence, spread across 6250 sq.ft., unveils a captivating fusion of timeless charm and contemporary elegance, veiled by an intricate jali screen. As you traverse the gates, you are welcomed into an entrance that artfully intertwines cultural motifs with the […]
When does a house become a home? What can a house do more than just provide shelter? Does the feeling of a space rely on tangible elements (furniture, decor, etc.)? Or is the feeling of a space defined by the intangible (light, volume, wind, etc.)? These tangible and intangible inquiries into this house architecture design—the […]
This Modern Mud House in a vulnerable ecosystem had to be a breathing edifice, born of the earth, slowly ebbing into the soil. Birds fly and make homes in lands far away. Vedanthangal is a chosen land for migratory birds. The untouched vegetation and aquatic plants maintain the bird sanctuary in Vedanthangal as one of […]
Situated on a 7-cent site, this modern architecture house in Coimbatore offers a utilitarian lifestyle while combining form and function. It is a hidden treasure nestled in the colorful tapestry of Coimbatore’s urban sprawl. With Central Jaali and Dynamic Lighting, the House’s Stunning Elevation shines with its richly textured wall and the exquisitely designed screen. […]