The Container Home in Gandhinagar is one of the first weekend homes in the city made using a shipping container. The plot area was 4000 sq.yards with a built up area of 77 sq.yards. More than three-fourth of the land had deep contours which left very little flat land for containers.
Aranya: The Container Home in Gandhinagar – One of The First Weekend Homes in the City | Studio Espaazo
Visit : Studio Espaazo
The built mass was placed keeping in mind the site topography, landscapes and requirements. The strategic placement of the containers captured stunning views of the valleys from both, the inside and the outside. The cantilevered deck was one of the most important requirements, which eventually also turned out to be one of the most used spaces.
During the construction process, all the trees were fully preserved and one of them was used as a focal point to locate the containers. The blues and the greens created a beautiful harmony and contrast in the space.
The challenges faced in this project :
The site had deep contours and 75% area of the land was taken up by the contours which left us with only 25% flat land making it a big challenge. Considering we were using containers, the location of the containers was difficult to decide. Keeping in mind the plumbing lines, electrical connections, structural constraints and design requirements in terms of spatial planning, we tried out multiple options, geometries and then finalized upon one. We also kept all the trees intact and used one of them as our starting point for the design.
The containers (as can be seen in the plan) capture views of both the valleys and are connected by a veranda which faces the valley filled with lush greenery. The tree between the container shades the entire house naturally (considering containers have extreme heat gain issues).
During the execution, the roads were only 30ft and the site is located at a place where there are slopes and deep contours which did not give the hydra vehicle enough turning radius so we divided the container into two equal halves and got them welded using girders on site. Second, as the photographs show, the container canti-levers at the end, so for the machine to put the container at it’s right place, there was a hassle with the distance (somehow we managed to do it).
Our clients wanted to use their weekend home during the COVID lockdown so we had only 4 months from design to execution which was a task but we delivered the project in the given time crunch.
What is that one design element in the entire space which has your heart?
The canti-levered deck that opens at the end right into the valley from all the 3 sides has our heart. It is the most favourite space of our clients and we are in awe of it too. The canti-levered deck.
If the project is influenced highly by the context of the site, please share with us the insight for that.
The project was definitely influenced by the context. We really wanted to respect the site topography, the site conditions and make sure none of the trees were harmed during the entire process. The valley had wild trees which were also conserved. This was one of the biggest reasons we worked out a column grid for our structure instead of creating a flat plinth, which allowed us to conserve maximum flora and existing land. The positioning of the containers was also derived by the natural formation and shape of the valleys as we wanted to avoid extra filling.
Color Palette of the Project :
Material Palette of the Project :
Fact File :
Designed by : Studio Espaazo
Project Type : Residential (Mobile Architecture)
Project Name : Aranya: The Container Home
Location : Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Year Built : 2020
Duration of project : 4 months
Plot Area : 4000 sq. yards
Built up : 77 sq. yards
Project Size: sq feet : 700 sq.ft
Project Cost Appx : 30L
Principal Architects : Avishi Jariwala, Smeet Kaswala
Team Design Credits : Avishi Jariwala, Smeet Kaswala
Interior Styling: Avishi Jariwala
Photograph Courtesy : Mr. Dhruv Thakker
Products and Materials : Construction Materials: GM Sons | Lighting: Anmol Lights | Doors and Partitions: Parth Containers | Sanitaryware: Jaquar | Windows: Parth Containers | Furniture: Fabindia, Pepperfy & Bespoke | Flooring: Patidar Ceramics | Kitchen: Bespoke | Paint: Bahubali & Sons | Artefacts: Fabindia | Hardware: Was sourced by Parth Containers
Consultants for the Project :
Civil: Maruti Constructions
Interior Designers, Landscape Architects, MEP & HVAC Consultants and Lighting Designers : Studio Espaazo
Structure Engineers: Parekh Associates
Acoustics Consultants: Parth Containers
Contractors: Maruti Construction
Quantity Surveyors: Kalpesh Dobariya
Firm’s Website Link : Studio Espaazo
Firm’s Instagram Link : Studio Espaazo
Firm’s Facebook Link : Studio Espaazo
Email Id (For any inquiry) : avishi.studioespaazo@gmail.com
Paati-veedu in the Tamil language means grandmother’s home. The client wanted a traditional courtyard house after having lived in a multilevel home with limited light, ventilation, and disjointed spaces. The site is on a 40×60 ft (2400 sq. ft.) property with the north side facing the street. Editor’s Note: “Rooted in nostalgia yet modern in […]
Coloured glass is incorporated into the east facing elevation of the house with a plan designed to interact beautifully with morning sunlight. As the sun rises, light filters through the coloured glass, casting vibrant, colourful rays throughout the interior and creating a dynamic, uplifting atmosphere. Each piece transforms into a radiant, gem-like feature when struck […]
Tiles for walls are more than just practical elements of your home interiors—they are design statements that bring both beauty and functionality to your spaces. Have you ever wondered how a simple change in wall tiles can transform an entire room? With endless options in materials, textures, and designs, tiles can enhance any room, from […]
The vision for this Kerala traditional house project was to provide the client with luxurious space and finishes. The client wanted a fusion of traditional elements with all the functionalities of a modern house that can accommodate their extended family members too. Elements of traditional Kerala architecture like the shaded veranda and the multi-levelled sloping […]
The Punjab home design is an oasis of solitude, where the structure itself turns inward, embracing the idea of seclusion. Strategic use of barriers like landscaping, walls, and enclosed courtyards ensures privacy without sacrificing the connection to the natural environment. Large windows and skylights are utilized selectively, allowing for natural light to flood into the […]
Ar. Sahiba Madan, founder of Insitu and KalakaariHaath, shares her journey that goes beyond trends, to timeless design. Her inspiration from Indian culture, art, and artists is reflected throughout her journey. After pursuing architecture as a core, Sahiba established her home decor and furnishing and an interior design studio in 2014 and 2018 respectively. She […]
Given a marble’s beauty and timelessness, the variety and types of marble are extensive and boundless in the modern world. Different types exhibit different colors, patterns, and textures based on their origin. That being said, selecting the right type and variety that suits your space is crucial to justify the beauty of marble. Regardless of […]
Marble bathroom designs transform your bathroom interiors to a great extent, considering marble’s purity, shine, and grace. With bold veining, rich texture, and different colorations, marble can transform an ordinary bathroom into a different level of refined relaxation. From sleek, minimalistic designs to strong statement pieces, marble suits your styles, rendered to be equally complimentary […]
The east facing house is part of a dense residential neighbourhood in Udaipur. The client brief required us to design a multiple-generation home with multiple purposes. The architecture intent was to carve out volumes and intersperse the client’s requirements with spatial voids, gardens, and terraces. This House Facing East is in a Dense Residential Neighborhood […]
When you walk into a room, what’s the first thing you notice in the interiors? The furniture, the walls, or the ceiling? Often overlooked, the ceiling plays a significant role in defining the ambiance of a room. If you’re looking to add some flair, sophistication, or a modern touch to your living room, false ceiling […]