Vault House is a contemporary farmhouse located in Kotna, Gujarat, designed by MS Design Studio as a retreat that seamlessly integrates nature, vernacular architecture, and minimalist design principles. Spanning a built-up area of 6000 sq feet within a 3-acre site, the residence reflects a deliberate balance between earthy materiality and modern spatial planning, creating a timeless living environment deeply rooted in its context.
Editor’s Note: “Vault House stands as a testament to timeless living, where vernacular wisdom meets contemporary design. With its grounded form, earthy materials, and a vocabulary rooted in traditional architecture, the home not only blends into its natural surroundings but also celebrates them. Evoking both grandeur and warmth, Vault House is a space that matures gracefully alongside nature, embodying a quiet elegance that endures.” ~Rajvi Dedakiya
Vault House Accentuates Timeless Living Environment | MS Design Studio
The primary design intent was to create a home that not only responds to the landscape but celebrates it. The architectural vocabulary draws inspiration from traditional forms, specifically the vaulted structure, reinterpreted with clean lines and minimalist detailing.
The defining feature of Vault House is its grand self-supporting vaults, which span 8 meters without the need for internal columns or reinforcement. These monumental arches lend a sense of scale, rhythm, and openness to the spaces, evoking both grandeur and warmth.
At the heart of the design lies a central courtyard, an age-old element in Indian architecture that promotes natural ventilation, passive cooling, and visual connection with the outdoors.
This courtyard becomes the core around which the interior spaces are organized, encouraging indoor-outdoor living and fostering interaction with nature. Covered walkways, spacious verandas, and open decks act as transitional spaces that further dissolve the threshold between the built form and the lush landscape.
The material palette plays a crucial role in establishing the home’s earthy character. Locally sourced rammed earth, exposed brickwork, natural stone wall, wood, and glass are used in their raw, honest form.
The materials have been chosen not just for their aesthetic appeal but for their ability to age beautifully, blending the architecture seamlessly into its surroundings over time. The interiors follow the same ethos, muted tones, natural textures, and minimal ornamentation allow the focus to remain on spatial quality and material richness.
Sustainability forms the backbone of the design strategy. The use of passive design principles, such as the vaulted roofs for heat insulation, cross-ventilation through the courtyard, and the thermal mass of rammed earth walls, ensures a comfortable living environment throughout the year without heavy dependence on mechanical systems. The planning carefully considers solar orientation, wind flow, and natural shading provided by the mature trees around the site.
Vault House stands as a sensitive response to its site, promoting slowness, simplicity, and harmony. It merges contemporary architectural language with regional wisdom, resulting in a home that is not only aesthetic and functional but also emotionally connected to its context.
The project exemplifies how architecture can transcend mere functionality. Further, become a sensory, soulful experience, celebrating nature, tradition, and modernity in equal measure.
Fact File
Designed by: MS Design Studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Vault House
Location: Kotna, India
Year Built: 2024
Project Size: 6000 Sq.ft
Principal Designers: Manav Patel & Shivangi Patel
Photograph Courtesy: Tejas Shah Photography
Source: Arch Daily
Firm’s Instagram Link: MS Design Studio
Firm’s Facebook Link: MS Design Studio
For Similar Projects >> A Captivating Family Home, Seamlessly Blending Tradition and Modernity
In the heart of Vadodara’s historic Nyay Mandir neighborhood stood a home filled with stories, memories, and traditions. For generations, it had been much more than a house; it was a place of belonging. Life within its walls unfolded in celebrations, festivals, and everyday moments of quiet comfort. Over the years, it became a steady […]
Located close to the historically-rich South Indian city of Mysuru, Solum embodies the endeavour towards living simply and close to nature. The client hails from a business background and yet harbours a fondness for the modesty and simplicity of an agrarian lifestyle. The young entrepreneur had always dreamt of developing a full-fledged farm self-sufficient in […]
Architects in Pune, often celebrated as the “Cultural Capital of Maharashtra,” is a city where tradition and modernity blend seamlessly. Pune’s architectural fabric reflects its dynamic evolution, ranging from grand Peshwa-era structures to contemporary urban designs. This curated list highlights architects who are redefining the city’s architectural narrative through exceptional designs that honor both contemporary […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Architecture font choices go beyond style—they shape how your work is perceived. From portfolios to presentations, the right architecture font instantly communicates clarity, precision, and personality. As architects, we design not just with space but with every detail, including typography. Selecting a strong architecture font shows your commitment to visual storytelling and design consistency. In […]
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 […]
Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]
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 […]