Gujarat’s First IGBC Green Home Platinum Rating Housing Project | THE gRID Architects
Vision
Sustainable compact green building. Endorse and encourage community living. Inclusive of quality public spaces. To connect with the earth, sky, water and nature.
Ideology
The imminent need to build homes to reduce carbon footprint. To design an energy-efficient building. The approach was to have living spaces organized and planned to facilitate multi-family needs and revitalizing public and private spaces. The incredible journey to a residential abode amidst nature.
YOU SAW IT FIRST ON THE ARCHITECT’S DIARY
Project note
The design is a spontaneous response to the site surroundings. Its genesis lies in the need to integrate social housing into the urban fabric and the architects’ ethical obligations towards the society to endorse community living for a positive impact on the values and lifestyles of the human race.
The design philosophy embraces the green movement and encourages atmospheric settings for relaxation. The driving force was the focus on having a sustainable, energy-efficient residential housing project that would also endorse high-quality community living. The design of the buildings was resolved in such a way that there were two high-rise towers on the north and the south, and two low-rise blocks on the east and west. The result labyrinth of spaces, in combination with energy conservation systems and careful selection of materials, helped in the continuous flow of wind and protected the community from direct heat from the south (the high-rise to the north was created to balance the design forms). The buildings are quite linear, and are mostly composed of cubes and cuboids as these geometries allow optimization of space.
The volumetric, grid-based complexity of the structures is tautly balanced and simplified by the central garden, which is dominated by curvilinear forms. All the units are meticulously planned and have a view of this naturally integrated green space filled with birdsong, rippling water (via channels and waterbodies), interspersed with pathways and benches. The hardscaping is moulded as part of the artistically planned landscape. The organic forms of the pathway intermingle with rhythmically incorporated water channels. Placed strategically, are benches rendered from waste pipes, which acts as its structural member as well as a planter. The two high-rise towers bestow a sense of protection to the central garden. This space thus creates a festive cultural environment and adds a sense of calm to life within the community. Terrace gardens further help in creating a large social area and sit-outs for gatherings.
The gated community features three layers of greenery: the landscaping; the huge trees; and the terraces, which have been converted into gardens, activity zones and a hangout place. The ground floor is a car-free zone, and all the blocks on the ground level are like a huge clubhouse and a zone for interaction as there are reading areas and indoor games, a gym, a home theatre and walkways.
The objective of designing an energy-efficient housing community led the architects towards researching and using regional materials and local labour. The material palette features high-pressure laminate, sandstone, exposed concrete, Stonecrete, aluminium powder-coated louvres, glass, vitrified tiles and eco-friendly colours. It also uses greywater recycling strategies that reconnect the urban residents to the natural water cycle and increases the productivity of the ecosystems. The design was developed in shear wall structure to free up space for the residential units and car parks. All car parks have been accommodated in the basement.
This housing project benefits from the ideology that it is people who occupy a home and make it beautiful. The design deliberation centred around finding an equilibrium in the structure, landscape and a sequence sensitive to human interaction. The planning thrived on creating a sense of ‘arriving home’ and creating a programme in which public spaces became extended living areas.
CONCEPT SKETCHES :
Location: Ahmedabad Gandhinagar highway
Details of the space (area in sq ft) Plot Area: 7102.00 Sq.M / 76445.92 Sq. Ft.
Concept & Interior Design: tHE gRID Architects (Snehal Suthar/ Bhadri Suthar)
Principal/ Creative Director : tHE gRID Architects(Snehal Suthar/ Bhadri Suthar)
Team: Hada Vishwajeet – Keyur Patel
Photograph credits: © PHX and Kirit Engineer
The site is located in Ahilyanagar town of Maharashtra, with a design brief of 7,000 sq feet, while the house had to be designed for the hot and dry climate, which responds carefully to extreme temperatures, intense sunlight, and low humidity. The design focuses on reducing heat gain, improving natural ventilation, and creating comfortable indoor spaces with […]
“Pravah” — A House That Breathes is envisioned as the main concept of this home revolves around a fluid, light-filled home where architecture becomes a continuous experience of movement, air, and connection. Located in Pal Gamtal, Surat, the project is a residential redevelopment on a 1,850 sq.ft. plot within a dense urban fabric. The site, […]
SapanoUday is a contemporary residence that balances material rawness with layered textures and crafted detail, aligning modern living with cultural and spatial sensibilities. Designed by Hundreddesigns, the home responds closely to the client’s routines and artistic inclinations while thoughtfully integrating Vastu principles. HundredDesigns The designers defined the architecture through a minimal palette, using exposed concrete […]
KRIPA is a residence that reflects the personality and lifestyle of its homeowner — calm, open, and rooted in nature. The project focuses on creating light-filled, green spaces with minimal private zones, encouraging openness and connection. In a time when spaces are shrinking but expectations are rising, architecture becomes the medium to bridge this gap […]
The Sculpted Sanctuary is a masterclass in modern minimalist design. The project focuses on “Quiet Luxury”. It is the idea that a space doesn’t need bright colors or flashy decor to feel expensive. Instead, it uses raw natural materials, rich textures, and sharp architectural lines. This Home Is A Masterclass In Modern Minimalist Design | […]
SIDHARTHA, is a four-bedroom modern house which is functional and aesthetic driven by the specific needs of the client. The location of the site is in a dense neighbourhood in Bengaluru, India. The contemporary urban dwelling frequently negotiates competing demands. It balances generous daylight and visual connection to the street with privacy, dust control, and […]
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 […]
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 […]
Plants for home garden, apart from making houses look more beautiful and inviting, add health and calmness to them. Having any kind of indoor plant, a herb plant or a flowering plant adds some value to your decor and the quality of the space. Always choose plants that will flourish in your space and climate. […]