search

Contemporary Elegance of Living Spaces and Old World Charm of Rustic Homes | The Crossboundaries

Imagine a place of serenity and awakening by a tranquil river. A flurry of bird sounds becomes a constant backdrop for a space of calm shadows, witnessing the playful movement of time. Amidst this lushness and rustic setting, a composition of stark greys and whites sits like a pristine object on the river’s edge. This is Kalrav- a weekend villa designed by The Crossboundaries, perched on the banks of the beautiful river Mahi.

Contemporary Elegance of Living Spaces and Old World Charm of Rustic Homes | The Crossboundaries

Visit: The Crossboundaries

The rustic design essence of the master bedroom and guest bedroom both lies in simplicity and optimizing outdoor views. Carefully selected wicker and cane furniture complement the farm-house vibe, while also being lightweight for easy changes.

The home sits on a plot of 27,000 sq.ft, and is a quick 45 minute drive away from Vadodara city. As the city grows, rustic second homes tucked away into the countryside are becoming places of rejuvenation and relaxation for many families. Intended as a weekend getaway for an older family, this home is the epitome of fuss-free, low-maintenance yet high-value luxury living, equipped with all amenities, furnished in memorable ways.

The west-facing open kitchen is bathed in natural light through automated blinds, adding life to the bright mint-green cabinet shutters.

In the orientation and planning of the ground-level residence, the architects took clues from the river’s length and natural run of the land. A generous driveway and front garden lead into the villa compound, following which the house extends sideways as a long volume, with the river visible beyond.

The building layout as essentially a thin linear strip, parallel to the river brings advantages of east-facing views and uninterrupted vistas. As a design feature, the entrance area is at an angle, slightly changing the visitor’s orientation, before arriving into the sun-filled court. The presence of a placid water-body, both at the entrance and the back porch instantly brings a riverine connection, and soothes the body and mind!

The spacious living and family area is laid out in a single bay, with private bedrooms on either side. The seamless living-dining area accommodates large family gatherings or quiet moments of solitude alike. The dining table, crafted as a hunk of polished driftwood, afloat, anchors the room together. Each livable area is designed for a complete frontal view through openable French windows, framing the garden and the river waters below.

This house by the river brings together modern sensibilities in understated ways, open to the elements of nature, wildlife and light.

A deliberately chosen muted interiors palette of white walls, grey ceilings and flooring allows for the views and vistas to come alive, and creates moments of authentic one-ness with nature. Designed for a family consisting of senior citizens as well as children, the selection of furniture and furnishings is anti-skid, clean and soft-edged. Comfortable arm chairs with footstools, along with other seating elements from IKEA and local furniture stores together bring a sense of ease and utility.

The presence of these two smaller courtyards near the bedrooms elevates the connection with the outdoors, bringing in light, wind and the chirping of birds! The guest bedroom carries forward its conversation with nature through a pair of bedside lamps in the form of birds. This allegory presents itself across the house, in the form of bird-shaped sculptures, fixed and floating lighting fixtures – constantly drawing attention to the ever-present sweet birdsounds.

The long outdoor deck, in the verandah, is designed as a space for early morning sun-gazing, or merry nights under the starlit sky. The verandah, cladded in matt black tile, is a play of a shallow linear waterbody, crisscrossed by ‘stepping stone bridges. The water body is a visual and sensorial connection to the river…like a soft line dividing the man-made and natural, the permanent and ephemeral.

Fact File

Designed by: The Crossboundaries

Client Name: Sharad Bhavsar

Project Type: Residence Architecture and Design

Project Name: Kalrav (Waterfront weekend villa)

Location: Gajana, Gujarat

Year Built: 2022

Project Size: 27000 Sq.ft

Built up: 35000 Sq.ft

Principal Architect: Harsh Boghani

Team Design Credits: Sanket Prajapati, Forum Jariwala, Vijay Dhabi, Rishabh Prajapati, Neel Patel & Shailesh Boghani

Text Credits: Niharka Joshi

Photograph Courtesy: Tejas Shah

Firm’s Website Link: The Crossboundaries

Firm’s Instagram Link: The Crossboundaries

Firm’s Facebook Link: The Crossboundaries

For Similar Project>>Elegance and Modernist Luxury Home in Bangalore 

This Bungalow Style House Is Rooted in Vastu and Modernism | The ART Container

This bungalow style house influences the site context and can be visualised in multiple facades of sharp edges & cuboidal form. Her,e salient features like U-Projection are an expression of the bench on a level one. The house divides itself into three bays. On the ground floor, where first bay acquire all public activities like […]

Read More

Console House’s Modern Architecture Design Floats Above The Forest | Hello Wood

Imagine yourself on the terrace of your hidden mountain retreat, drinking a fresh cup of coffee as you admire the sunrise emerging from behind the rolling hills across the valley. This serene atmosphere is exactly what Hello Wood’s latest project, the Console House, is designed to offer. The Console House showcases modern architecture design while […]

Read More

This Contemporary Tropical House Design Captures The Essence Of Rural Charm | Urban Hive

As cities continue to grow and evolve, there is a growing desire to incorporate elements of rural living into urban design. By embracing rural living principles, cities can create more eco-friendly and sustainable spaces. Rural living is not just about wide-open spaces and rolling hills. It’s also about community, sustainability, and a connection to nature. […]

Read More

This Home Is An Ode To Luxury Residences That Embrace Earth and Elegance | Vitthal Todkar & Associates

Located in the thriving city of Ichalkaranji, this is an example of luxury residences is a seamless blend of timeless elegance and modern sophistication. The striking exterior, adorned with brick and natural stone cladding, exudes warmth, character, and permanence. These rich textures create a visually captivating façade, harmonizing tradition with contemporary design while making a […]

Read More

Stone in Architecture: 10 Must-Know Projects In India

Throughout history, stone has embodied permanence, artistry, and raw beauty in architecture. From the grandeur of Roman amphitheaters to the earthy elegance of modern villas, stone remains a beloved material for its strength, sustainability, and aesthetic richness. As design trends evolve toward natural materials, eco-conscious decisions, and biophilic design, stone has found new expressions — […]

Read More

This Biophilic Office Design Is Sculpted in Daylight | AD Studio9

The space adopts a biophilic office design and climate-responsive approach, creating a workspace that reimagines urban interiors by deeply embedding them with nature. The style is earthy, minimal, and modern with a strong contextual sensitivity to its location. Also, a lush canopy surrounds the bare-shell site on the first floor, allowing for abundant daylight and […]

Read More

Saba House Is A Wind-Catcher of Memories and Modernity | Project 51 A (h)

The design started from an old house where a family of seven stood, one yet to be born. Hari & Sreelakshmi, Usha-Hari’s mother, Malathi, teacher, Hari’s grandmother, kids, Sankari, Paru, and yet to be born Sreebala. Four generations living in a 60-year-old house that had begun to show its age with dimly lit rooms, leaking […]

Read More

This Wellbeing Centre Blends Seamlessly with the Dense Canopy and Natural Surroundings | Urban Circle

The clients’ requirement was to create a wellbeing centre at Oleander Farms, Karjat, Maharashtra, that would be a tranquil sanctuary for their visitors. Walking through a dense canopy of trees, hearing the soft chirping of birds, we slowly embarked on an expanse of a 2-acre of land that was both open yet heavily tree-laden. This […]

Read More

This Office with Garden Blurs Boundaries between Work and Retreat | Arcline Architects

The thought was to create a space which would act as a formal real estate workspace in the daytime and a family retreat in the evening. By its name, as it is, ‘Leveled. This office with a garden is defined using levels, in terms of volumes, surfaces as well as edges. These levels are rationalized […]

Read More

These Courtyard Villas Connect Deeply with Nature and Everyday Rhythms | The Grid Architects

Nirmay (निर्मय) reflects purity and holistic well-being. Envisioned as a quiet sanctuary amidst the noise of urban life, these courtyard villas offer a way of living that is calm, conscious, and deeply connected to the land. Rooted in sustainability and ecological harmony, the design responds to both nature and the everyday rhythms of its inhabitants. […]

Read More
  • How To Choose The Best Residential Painting Contractor?

    Do You Need Pool Care at Your House? Here is a Complete Guide