At the end of a mango tree-lined street on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, a vintage red Contessa stands sentinel—a playful nod to nostalgia that sets the tone for what lies beyond. Nestled within a lush green plot is Teen Vaults, a family home made with terracotta jali and concrete, where architecture, craft, and comfort converge in quiet sophistication.
Terracotta Jali And Concrete Come Together To Form The Teen Vaults House | Vaissnavi Shukl
Initially conceived as a weekend getaway with a pool and pavilion, the project soon took on a more permanent role. Captivated by the tranquillity of the site, the homeowners, a couple with two children, chose to make it their full-time residence.
The resulting home is a meditative ensemble of three parallel exposed RCC vaults, each dedicated to a distinct function: dining and kitchen in one, a soaring formal living area in the second, and a study and reading lounge in the third.
The home is grounded in honest materiality. Exposed brick load-bearing walls and a terracotta jali form a tactile backdrop for the clean lines of the concrete vaults. Off-white terrazzo floors from Bharat Floorings, with subtle bursts of colour, run throughout the house, complementing custom-designed solid teak furniture and brass accents. The designers left all services, including HVAC and lighting, exposed—celebrating them as integral parts of the architecture rather than concealing them as afterthoughts.
At the heart of the home, a serene courtyard planted with frangipani and tulsi creates a contemplative pause. A sculptural folded concrete staircase, fitted with reclaimed teak treads and a delicately strung wooden-bead railing, leads gracefully to the upper floor, where the designers tucked the bedrooms away in quiet seclusion.
Art and lighting are carefully curated: two dramatic light installations by Radhika Sanghvi hover in the double-height living space and in the dining area; Olie sconces cast a warm glow across textured brick; handwoven dhurries from Enii Living soften the hardscape; and a series of serigraphs by Esther David root the home in its cultural milieu.
Despite its bold architectural language, Teen Vaults feels anything but austere. It’s a home with heart—thoughtfully detailed, deeply personal, and attuned to its inhabitants’ rhythms. Here, design doesn’t just make a statement—it makes room to live.
Fact File
Designed by: Vaissnavi Shukl
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Teen Vaults House
Location: Ahmedabad
Year Built: 2025
Built-up Area: 5995 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Vaissnavi Shukl
Team Design Credits: Khushi Amin, Omkar Gund, Saloni Shah & Khyati Andrapiya
Photograph Courtesy: Ishita Sitwala
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: Vaissnavi Shukl
Firm’s Instagram Link: Vaissnavi Shukl
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