The client, rooted in the cultural context of pol houses of Ahmedabad, aspires to create a modern abode that reflects a harmonious blend of contemporary aesthetics while preserving the rich legacy of heritage. Residing within the UNESCO-inscribed walled city of Ahmedabad, the dwelling exudes a solemn ambiance, embodying Indian rituals and customs. Drawing inspiration from the iconic pol houses, key spatial elements such as doors, windows, columns, and brackets serve as expressive motifs within the interior spaces.
Editor’s Note: “Drawing inspiration from the Pol houses of Ahmedabad, this residence exudes a solemn ambiance, with doors, windows, columns, and brackets serving as expressive motifs. The tactile experiences within the interiors, intertwined with a contemporary design aesthetic, evoke a profound sense of belonging. This abode’s modern expression stands as a testament to the timeless fusion of vernacular charm and contemporary elegance.” ~Simran Khare
A Home Rooted In The Cultural Context Of Pol Houses of Ahmedabad | The Art Container
The interior design incorporates green kota and brown kota stones. They are adorned with inlay patterns, resembling famous paintings, and feature linear divisions reminiscent of S.H. Raza’s work.
Tactile surfaces, including the relationship of the otla at the doorstep, find resonance in the courtyard, where a bespoke dining table takes center stage with a tulsi kyara (pot) incorporated into its design.
The dining table, inspired by the Champa Leaf, is crafted from Rajasthan green marble with brass inlay. The walls, finished with lime wash, contribute to the house’s cooling effect through natural lime plaster.
Lighting elements in the interior echo the wooden battens found in traditional pol house roofs. Externally, the house exudes a minimalist and modern aesthetic, while the interior embraces the ethos of ‘more’ is less’—a heritage house enriched with objects that carry memories of the past.
In this contemporary expression, the dwelling becomes a timeless testament to the fusion of present-day design sensibilities with the enduring heritage of vernacular architecture.
Furthermore, the adaptive repurposing of brass utensils, now transformed into sculptural lighting, and the deformation of the brass and copper kalash utensil into a floral pedestal sculpture within the staircase volume, exemplifies the seamless integration of heritage elements into the modern narrative of the residence.
Each bedroom seamlessly incorporates heritage textiles inspired by the Sabyasachi collection for bedroom upholstery, extending to veneer-clad surfaces intricately etched with palm motifs, thereby enhancing the furniture with exquisite details.
Fact File
Designed by: The Art Container
Project Type: Residential Interior Design
Project Name: Heritage Legacy – AMDAVADI House
Location: Ahmedabad
Year Built: 2021-2023
Duration of the project: 3 Years
Project Size: 3150 Sq. Ft
Principal Architects: Raveena Panchal Shah
Photograph Courtesy: Inclined Studio
Products / Materials / Vendors: Wallcovering / Cladding – Asian Paint / Furniture – Walnut Furniture / Kitchen – Tanushree Kitchen / Paint – Asian Paint
The Firm’s Website Link: The Art Container
Firm’s Instagram Link: The Art Container
Firm’s Facebook Link: The Art Container
For Similar Project >>> A Striking Brick House with Hints of Traditional Design and Essence of Reformed Living
Set within a lush expanse of land, this sculptural house by Pranav Patel Design Studio is a poetic exploration of light, landscape, and living. Designed as a contemporary haven rooted deeply in Indian sensibilities, the project brings together sculptural architecture, organic landscape planning, and vernacular craftsmanship to create a space that is both immersive and […]
Paati Veedu, located in southern India, began with the vision of an elderly grandmother (Paati) with Terminal Cancer, whose wish was to rebuild her ancestral home and spend herfinal years in a space she could call her own. The Site is located in the outskirts of Mayiladuthurai, in Southern India. Paati set the 1200 sq […]
Modern tropical residential architecture approach that balances openness, functionality, natural ventilation, and visual connectivity. The concept focuses on creating a warm family-oriented home with a strong connection to nature through courtyards, double-height volumes, and open planning. Natural materials, wooden textures, and soft neutral tones enhance the sense of comfort, while carefully planned spatial zoning ensures […]
Project Perch is a playschool that sits along a busy secondary road in a rapidly growing urban neighbourhood, where noise, traffic and constant movement dominate the surroundings. Designing a playschool in such a setting required the architects to prioritise safety, privacy, and controlled exposure for young children. This informed an inward-facing planning strategy that shields […]
Vault House is conceived as a contemporary tropical residence that balances raw materiality with warmth, openness, and family-centric living. Designed for a multi-generational family comprising a couple, their daughter, and parents, the house responds to a clear client vision: a home that is unique, user-friendly, and deeply connected to natural light, ventilation, and greenery. This […]
Tucked into a corner of a lush 2 acre plantation off the Kanchipuram highway, this farmhouse is a quiet ode to sustainability and serenity. Surrounded by thriving groves of coconut, mango, and orange trees, the site offered a natural canvas for a home that would dissolve gently into its surroundings of rural landscapes—grounded in place […]
Located in Udaipur– Rajasthan, this residential project enjoys a unique setting with panoramic views of Roop Sagar on one side and surrounding hills on the remaining three sides. The design brief focused on creating a modern and minimalist residence that exudes serenity and understated luxury. “The designers thoughtfully planned the house to include premium lifestyle […]
This residence is a sincere exploration of how architecture can remain simple, climate sensitive, cost-effective, and emotionally grounded, without compromising on spatial quality or design intent. Conceived as a 3BHK modest home for a small family, the project stands as a testament to what is possible when thoughtful planning, craft-oriented construction, and material intelligence come […]
Located in HMT Layout, Bangalore, Isha_Srinidhi Nilaya stands as a multi-generational home designed on a compact 60×40 ft (2400 sq. ft) East facing plot, with a total built-up area of 8000 sq. ft. East Facing a lush public park, the residence responds to its urban setting through a layered design that balances privacy with a […]
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 […]