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 anchor for a family deeply connected to the city. When the time came to turn it into a vacation house, the process was both exciting and challenging.
STUDIO NORTH
The transformation of this vacation house needed not just an architectural renovation but also an emotional revival—an attempt to honour the past while looking to the future. The vision behind the project was clear and rooted in sentiment. The new home was not meant to erase its former identity; it aimed to carry forward its essence in a refreshed form.
The design brief called for a calm, meaningful retreat that respected the emotional significance of the original structure while introducing modern comforts and styles. Architecture laid the foundation, but interior design breathed new life into the house, blending heritage with a contemporary feel. What emerged from this journey was a residence that feels both modern and nostalgic. The interiors are not loud or flashy; instead, they radiate a soulful elegance. A palette of earthy materials, soft fabrics, and carefully crafted details comes together to create an atmosphere of quiet luxury.
There is a timeless quality in the simplicity—a sense that the home is as much about feeling as it is about looks. At the centre of the design philosophy of this vacation house lies the use of reclaimed teakwood, salvaged from the original 80-year-old building. This wood had quietly witnessed decades of family life, its surfaces showing the subtle marks of time. Instead of discarding it, the design team carefully restored and repurposed the material. The teakwood transformed into custom furniture, cabinetry, mirror frames, and carved accents, allowing fragments of the old home to live on within the new. This thoughtful gesture created not only sustainable design but also a physical and emotional connection between the past and present. Every room was crafted with purpose.
The bedrooms were designed as tranquil retreats, layered with custom headboards, warm lighting, and textiles inspired by local craft traditions. The living spaces focus on openness and flow, celebrating natural light and movement. Handmade details and wooden tones anchor the interiors, while curated decor pieces add character without overwhelming the senses. Even small corners hold meaning: a reading nook tucked beneath a staircase, or an alcove decorated with heirlooms, each telling its own quiet story.
Designing within a dense historic neighborhood posed challenges—restricted space, limited light, and the need to respect the area’s existing character. Yet instead of seeing these as limitations, the team embraced them as chances for innovation.
Through careful planning, the interiors achieved an unexpected sense of openness and airiness, ensuring that the home feels spacious despite its compact size. What sets this project apart is not just the final look but also the guiding philosophy. It finds a sensitive balance between heritage and modernity, authenticity and innovation.
This was never just a renovation; it was a revival. The home has been reimagined with respect for the memories it holds while making space for new stories to unfold. Familiar yet renewed, rooted yet refreshed, it now stands as a sanctuary where the family can reconnect with the past and celebrate the present.
Fact File
Designed by: STUDIO NORTH
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: POL HOUSE
Location: Vadodara
Year Built: 2025
Duration of the project: 2024-2025
Project Size: 720 Sq. Ft.
Principal Architect: Ar Vaishvik Patel
Team Design Credits: I.D. Maitri Shah
Photograph Courtesy: @2613apertures
Products / Materials / Vendors: Wallcovering, Cladding – Brick cladding / Construction Materials – BRICKS / Lighting – 4K, 3K, 7K CONCEALED, PROFILE, ROPE, TRACK / Doors and Partitions – TEAKWOOD DOOR AND FLUTED GLASS PARTITION / Sanitaryware – KOHLER CO. / Facade Systems – MS HAND BENDED PIPE RAILING AND FOX CEILING AND EXPOSED BRICK / Windows – UPVC WOODEN TEXTURED SLIDING WINDOWS / Furniture – VENEER, WOOD FINISH WITH MELALINE POLISH, RCC TEXTURE, LAMINATES, CANE, GLASS, WALLPAPER / Flooring – ITALIAN GREY VETRIFIED TILE / Kitchen – SUBWAY / Paint – L144 LOVE SONG BY ASIAN PAINTS, BEIGE (RCC TEXTURE)Artefacts – MS CNC PLATE CUTTING, MOROCCAN TILE FRAMING / Wallpaper – TRADITIONAL WALLPAPER, TROPICAL WALLPAPER / Hardware – DETOX, GRODREJ, EBCO
Consultants for the Project: Interior Designers – AR. VAISHVIK PATEL, I.D. MAITRI SHAH / MEP & HVAC Consultants – CLIMATE SERVICES
Firm’s Instagram Link: STUDIO NORTH
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