search
  • The Spaces in the Residence with Concrete Wall Forms Communicate Seamlessly | ESSTEAM

    The clients envisioned a residence with concrete wall forms where individual spaces communicate seamlessly, allowing family members to remain connected even when in their areas. Previously residing in an old city house with shared walls, they yearned for the true openness of a family home that exudes airiness and is bathed in natural light. Their aesthetic preference leaned towards form-finished concrete, desiring a minimalist, modern home that is unique and dynamic. 

    Editor’s Note: “The rugged concrete texture and the captivating interplay of mass and voids in this abode evoke a sense of curiosity and comfort. Expansive windows and angled terraces flood the interiors with natural light. Embracing a neutral color palette and minimalist design, the indoors radiate a comforting aura.” ~Simran Khare

    The Spaces in the Residence with Concrete Wall Forms Communicate Seamlessly | ESSTEAM

    concrete wall forms

    The squarish plot, approximately 440 square yards with a setback on all sides, posed spatial challenges, necessitating vertical stacking of the living spaces across four levels.

    concrete wall forms

    Design Challenges

    Leveraging the advantages of the corner plot with roads on the west and north sides, the house is designed to orient most spaces towards the north.

    concrete wall forms

    This orientation allows for large, full-sized windows that bring soft, diffused northern light throughout the day.

    concrete wall forms

    concrete wall forms

    Strategically placing the vertical circulation and bathing areas on the southern side insulates the primary living spaces—such as the living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas—enhancing their comfort and functionality.

    concrete wall forms

    concrete wall forms

    The design ensures that the majority of liveable spaces have three exterior walls. Thereby promoting cross-ventilation, ample daylight, and outdoor views.

    concrete wall forms

    concrete wall forms

    The volumetric composition of the house introduces dynamism, with spaces stacked and the master bedroom cantilevered approximately 4.2 meters (13′-9″ feet) over the first-floor garden. This creates a double-height volume. Thus allowing visual connectivity from the top floor to the ground level, from extreme east to west.

    concrete wall forms

    concrete wall forms

    Sense of Openness

    Achieving this sense of openness within a confined plot boundary is a remarkable feat of design. Here, individual volumes assert their presence while collectively embodying the family’s values of unity and individuality.

    concrete wall forms

    concrete wall forms

    Inspired by one of our previous projects featuring form-finished concrete, the client was resolute in engaging us. They wanted us to design their new home with a minimalist material palette that exudes modernity.

    concrete wall forms

    Using form-finished concrete as the primary shell, we integrated wood, white marble stones, and a few metals to set a warm and sophisticated tone.

    Modernist Detailing

    Modernist detailing in the interiors ensures that the house remains inviting and visually comforting. Careful restraint in the interior design and customised artworks with a pinch of colour in the spaces enhance the elegance of simplicity. 

    Technologically advanced, the house features smart controls that enhance the lifestyle of the client’s family, offering unparalleled comfort and ease.

    ‘Speaking Volumes’ stands as a testament to our design philosophy. It is achieving more with less, creating spaces that are both functional and aesthetically compelling.

    Fact File

    Designed by: ESSTEAM

    Project Type: Residential Architecture Design

    Project Name: Speaking Volumes

    Location : Surat, Gujarat

    Year Built: 2023

    Project Size: 9805 Sq.ft

    Principal Architect: Ar. Snehal Shah

    Team Design Credits: Nishith Jariwala, Dhruv Chaliawala, Sarthak Dixit, Umang Kapadia, Payal Shah, Mansi Jariwala, Ketna Morker, Hiral Sanghani, Harish Chotaliya, Alish Narola, Abhay Vaghela & Bhikhu Rathod

    Photograph Courtesy: Noaidwin Sttudio

    Name of Client: Mr. Ajay Lakhwala

    Products / Materials / Vendors: Construction – Materials Ultratech, TATA / Construction Chemicals – Roff Stone & Tiles – Dineshbhai, Stone World, Simpolo / Plumbing Materials – Astral, Viega, Huliot / Lighting Fixtures – Delta, Ligman, Alurays / HVAC Equipments – Diakin / Doors – Onsite / Partitions – JG Glass – Waltz / Sanitaryware – Hans Grohe, Toto / Windows & Glazing – Vitrum / Furniture – Molteni, Bonaldo, Cattelan Itlaia / Elevator – Kone / Kitchen – Modunova / Paint – ICA / Artworks – Oblique / Hardware – Ideal / Hardware – Hafele, Blum, Dorma

    Firm’s Website Link: ESSTEAM

    The Firm’s Instagram Link: ESSTEAM

    Firm’s Facebook Link: ESSTEAM

    For Similar Project>>>  This Aesthetic Courtyard House With Lush Landscape Design Offers A Calm Aura To The Users

    Nestled In An Ecological Environment, Eden Moss Tells A Story Of Purity | Urbane Ivy

    “Even within the smallest green lies all the purity and freshness of Eden.” This idea became the seed for Eden Moss, a home nestled in an ecological environment and imagined as a breath of freshness, evoking the scent of mud after rain, and seamlessly intertwined with nature while still embracing comfort and contextual charm. Nestled […]

    Read More

    Layered Architecture Brings Out The Cultural Memory Of The Client’s Vision | Tales of Design Studio

    In Tiruppur’s industrial heartland, where the rhythm of textile mills sets the tone, the layered architecture in this Villa offers a quiet counterpoint. Shaped by stillness, proportion, and cultural memory, the home reflects the clients’ vision for a contemplative retreat. Set on a square plot within a gridded residential layout, the residence embraces architectural restraint […]

    Read More

    Sanctum Is A Home Within Nature, Built With Nature | ma+rs

    Nestled in what was once a coconut orchard, Sanctum serves as a sanctuary for a retired couple. Their daughter & a feline companion join them to offer a tranquil environment for everyday goings-on. The site is a 60’ x 90’ portion of land with six coconut trees. Two teak wood & silver oak trees, each […]

    Read More

    Openness In Structure And Spirit Is The Soul Of This Urban Home | Archemist Architects

    Tucked into the calm, tree-lined lanes of Nagarbhavi in Bangalore, Avani Residence rises as a poetic response to the chaos of the city, a vertical sanctuary where light dances, materials breathe, and space unfolds in gentle rhythms. Designed by Archemist Architects for a family of four, the residence is a nuanced interplay between constraint and […]

    Read More

    This Bespoke Cafe Is A Bold Experiment In Layered Raw Textures And Sculpted Forms | UrbanNest Design Studio

    The designers envision Asterix Café as a flagship destination that challenges café design conventions. While coffee culture often associates with warm, pastel tones, Asterix dares to be different by embracing darkness as its defining aesthetic. Designed by UrbanNest Design Studio, the bespoke cafe is a bold experiment in creating a multi-functional, community centric space where […]

    Read More

    This Home With An Earthen Design Opens Out To Lush Farms Outside And Cosy Interiors Inside | Bhutha Earthen Architecture Studio

    Adorn, a home filled with earthen design and the laughter of a family of four, nestles in the peaceful neighborhood of Selvapuram, Coimbatore. “On one side, it shares boundaries with cozy family homes; meanwhile, the other side opens to expansive fields dotted with tall trees.” The fresh air scented with greenery sets a calming atmosphere […]

    Read More

    Open Courtyards And A Biophilic Design Connect The Outdoors With The Indoors | R+R Architects

    Situated in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Anandvan residence beautifully embodies biophilic design, fostering a deep connection with nature through its thoughtful integration of outdoor and indoor spaces through open courtyards. Open Courtyards And A Biophilic Design Connect The Outdoors With The Indoors | R+R Architects Location The location and surroundings played a significant role in determining the […]

    Read More

    The Chair Affair | India’s Iconic Furniture Design Competition 2025

    What if the simplest object in your home could turn into a design icon? Tectona Grandis Furniture and The Architects’ Diary come together to introduce the Chair Affair. This is India’s first-of-its-kind furniture design competition that dares architects and designers across India to rethink the most essential piece of furniture – the Chair. Beyond function, […]

    Read More

    This Kindergarten School In Mysore Is Redefining Classrooms By Opening Into The Nature | Baya Studios

    In a calm and serene residential area of Mysore, a 10,000 sq. ft. site with mature mango and coconut trees set the stage for Eden Kindergarten school. One half of the land was already occupied by an existing block, while the other half was shaded by the canopy of old trees. Instead of altering this […]

    Read More

    Farmhouse Designs in India: 15 Inspiring Styles To Know

    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 […]

    Read More
  • This Surat House Captures Breathtaking Views of the Skyline from the 14th Floor | Ground Zero

    How to Select Tiles for Your Living Room: 20 Perfect Indian Styles