The residence with brick and concrete wall for Mr. Mehul Patel is built on the land of 1560 sq. mt and is in the western part of Ahmedabad in Bopal. The client is a real estate developer working on various residential and commercial projects in Ahmedabad. Their brief for us was to design a house for their family of 5 people with private living areas, including formal and family living dining, kitchen, entertainment room, and four bedrooms. Beyond the functional requirements, they were keen to build a house with an open-to-sky courtyard, which could become integral to the living areas. The requirement was to use Vaastu principles to organize the overall layout.
Editor’s Note: “Embracing timeless elegance, this abode celebrates the harmony of exposed concrete and natural brick. In the vibrant streets of Ahmedabad, these classic materials meld seamlessly, blending functionality with grace. The majestic courtyard and soaring double heights evoke a sense of grandeur while preserving the cozy comfort of home.” ~Simran Khare
Home with Brick and Concrete Wall has an Open-to-Sky Courtyard | Groundwork Architecture
In the early stages of development, it was decided that we would use materials like brick and concrete that would give a timeless aesthetic for the wall of the house.
We used exposed concrete and natural brick wall as the main construction aesthetic in this context. As these are finishes that do not have an added layer of plaster on top, the architectural detailing for the design had to be simple and robust.
The main entrance to the premises is from the north, and there is parking for their three cars accessible directly from the main street.
This allows the entrance to the house to remain pedestrian only with emergency access for vehicles. The courtyard is the central organizing element of the house.
The entrance vestibule through the entrance porch connects to the ambulatory corridor around the courtyard. This corridor strings all the spaces together and seamlessly connects each space with the courtyard.
The entrance vestibule backdrop wall cuts the courtyard from the initial visual experience. This enables an interesting surprise when one turns left onto the main corridor to discover the courtyard. This is when the Puja room located in the NE corner of the house is first visible.
The main corridor has a full view of the courtyard on one side, flanked on the left by the double-height formal living room. The location of the formal living room is the last semi-private space, after which all other functions become private in nature.
A straight-flight folded plate staircase is placed along this corridor, visually connecting the courtyard and open spaces to the east through a verandah.
The kitchen is in the SE corner of the house and is well-connected to the dining and family living spaces. The house’s west wing is dedicated to the bedroom with toilets and walk-in wardrobes on both floors by stacking two bedrooms on each floor.
Separate light wells bring natural light into the toilets. The entertainment area with the home theatre is located directly above the family living area.
The courtyard on the ground floor is completely visually open, allowing physical access to the courtyard. Terracotta jalis are provided on the complete periphery of the courtyard on the first-floor corridor.
This ensures a substantial reduction of direct sunlight entering the house and creates interesting graphic modulation of lights and shadows, which is ever-changing.
The courtyard, along with the plants, helps bring down the temperature in the house and provides a place to enjoy open spaces with complete visual privacy. The facades articulate differently to respond to the climate, each shaped by simple forms and materials.
Fact File
Designed by: Groundwork Architecture
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Mehul Patel Residence
Location: Ahmedabad
Year Built: 2022
Built-up Area: 5118.11 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Brijesh Bhatha
Photograph Courtesy: Murtaza Gandhi
Interior Designers: Studio 919 Architects
Structure Consultants: Setu Infrastructure
MEP Consultants: Jhaveri Associates
Contractors: PSP Projects
Project Manager: Darshita Patel
Execution Drawings: Pranav Meghani
Manufacturers: Jai Jalaram Brick Works, Shailja Luxusprodukt Pvt. Ltd.
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: Groundwork Architecture
The Firm’s Instagram Link: Groundwork Architecture
Firm’s Facebook Link: Groundwork Architecture
For Similar Project >>> This Aesthetic Courtyard House With Lush Landscape Design Offers A Calm Aura To The Users
In a landscape where aspiration quietly waits, Granthalay emerges as a circular building and sanctuary for learning—gathering people, knowledge, and place into a shared civic moment. Granthalay is conceived as a civic institution that extends beyond the conventional idea of a library, responding to the acute lack of educational and community infrastructure in the district […]
A dilapidated old manor house in Jaffna peninsula, with warped roof beams, warped door windows and many structural defects were presented to the architects for refurbishment- by clients- to be refurbished as a retirement home for themselves who were returning to Sri Lanka after escaping to overseas due to the 25 years old North East […]
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 […]
Design, when it emerges as a living tapestry, turns the experience of living into a vibrant everyday narrative. Baldota House in Alandi, Pune by ARCHOS accommodates three generations under a single roof in the area spanning 7500 Sq. Ft. Spearheaded by the family’s desire for a generous space and a theatrical essence along with balanced […]
Few homes are celebrated for their iconic interiors, while some are celebrated for their open layouts. True to its unique context and subtleties, this home with a monochromatic palette, designed by Ar. Saumya Khanna & Ar. Sudhir Ambawata Co – founders & principle architects of SSDA Architects brings the essence of volumetric design and a […]
Adopting sustainable living today, both in design and daily life, is crucial for reducing our environmental footprint and preserving resources for future generations. In the design of this bamboo pavilion, this means using eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient technologies, and creating spaces that harmonize with natural surroundings. In daily living, sustainability involves mindful consumption, reducing waste, conserving […]
Tucked into the lush landscape of Thiruvananthapuram, Aashiyana is a residence that balances context, climate, and craft. Designed by architect Srijit Srinivas, this bungalow is conceived as more than a tropical retreat-it is a spatial journey where bold colour, filtered light, and thoughtful materials orchestrate a distinctive atmosphere. Nestled Amidst Lush Landscape Aashiyana Balances Craft […]
Situated on a compact 1200 sft south-west corner plot, this residence was conceived as an inward-looking sanctuary for a family of four — a home that balances privacy and openness, light and enclosure, within the dense urban fabric. This Residence Was Conceived As An Inward-Looking Sanctuary For A Family Of Four | The Insideout Studio […]
Project 1374 is located in one of the plotted developments in the north of Bangalore, characterized by well-demarcated plots, open spaces, spacious roads, and organized infrastructure. Trees flank the wide streets, dividing the plots with dense canopies offering shaded avenues. Abutting the plot stood a cluster of trees- a quiet presence. We borrowed these trees […]
‘Roots’ was an experiment to build sustainably but not confer to the design language typically associated with sustainable buildings. This residential project re-considers the expression of sustainable architecture through a minimalist and materially grounded lens. Located on a 4,000 sq.ft. plot, the designers conceived the house for a family of three and their pet, organizing […]