The contemporary style architecture house is located in the lively urban context of Thaltej, Ahmedabad nestled within a private cluster of four bungalows. Though the home enjoys the benefits of community, it also maintains a high degree of privacy and seclusion. This is achieved through a carefully considered spatial arrangement, despite the proximity of a multi-story apartment complex at the rear of the property. The strategic use of openings and massing ensures privacy without compromising natural light or ventilation. Moreover, the layout cleverly harnesses light and air, bringing freshness and comfort to every corner of the house.
Editor’s Note: “Imagine living in a home that not only reflects your personal preferences but also fosters a strong sense of community. This stone-crete residence in Ahmedabad is grounded in fundamental architectural principles and guided by thoughtful design strategies. The overall design seamlessly integrates interior architecture as a cohesive and expressive entity.” ~ Baarat Krishna
The Stone-Crete House Is A Brutalist Ode To Contemporary Style Architecture | MPA Design Studio
The residence represents a seamless blend of modern architectural principles and traditional values. Despite its thoroughly contemporary appearance, the design pays homage to timeless materials and cultural sensibilities.
Every space has been thoughtfully aligned to ensure a harmonious and balanced flow of energy. Moreover, it adheres closely to the principles of Vaastu Shastra.
This ancient Indian science of contemporary style architecture guides the home’s spatial planning. It also ensures not just aesthetic and functional excellence but also a sense of spiritual well-being.
Stepping into this modern residence, one is immediately struck by a distinct synthesis of architectural styles. The home’s entrance articulates a careful fusion of brutalist materiality and mid-century modern warmth, unified by a contemporary design language. The result is a space that is not only highly functional but also deeply expressive and emotionally engaging.
One of the defining features of the entrance is the striking interplay of light and material. Above, an open-tread wooden staircase allows natural sunlight to cascade downwards. It creates a dance of dynamic shadows on the textured concrete wall. This constantly shifting light adds visual interest and a sense of movement to the space. Additionally, it transforms what could be a purely functional zone into a visually rich and emotionally engaging experience.
The residence layout follows an open-plan concept. This eliminates unnecessary walls and boundaries between the living room, dining area, and kitchen. This approach not only improves the flow of movement within the house but also makes the entire space feel much larger and connected.
Large glass sliding doors further this sense of openness, drawing the outdoors in and allowing sunlight to filter through uninterrupted. Views of the surrounding garden and exterior are ever-present, reinforcing a feeling of unity between interior and exterior spaces.
The architectural plan, deeply informed by Vaastu principles, is oriented to harness positive energy flows while maximizing daylight and ventilation.
The directional alignments are not arbitrary; they are chosen to enhance comfort, well-being, and connection with the natural world. In this way, ancient traditions are harmonized with modern needs and aesthetics. Moreover, it creates a home that is both spiritually grounded and forward-looking.
A key architectural highlight of the home is the staircase, which stands as both a functional element and a sculptural centerpiece. It is framed by exposed concrete walls and veneered paneling, combining the raw with the refined.
The stairs’ light, floating design adds to the sense of spatial clarity and openness. As morning light pours in through a tall vertical window, it animates the stairwell with leafy silhouettes, creating a tranquil, almost meditative atmosphere.
This interaction of light, material, and greenery gives the staircase an emotional depth, transforming a mundane daily activity into a rich sensory experience.
The natural environment plays a critical role in the planning of the home. One of the most striking examples of this is the way the layout accommodates an existing neem tree. Rather than removing the tree, the architects chose to integrate it into the design.
Windows in the master bedroom are carefully positioned to frame the tree, making it a living focal point and strengthening the home’s indoor-outdoor connection. This approach not only respects the existing ecosystem but also enriches the daily lives of the occupants by providing a direct visual link to nature.
Every element in the home—from the richly textured surfaces and thoughtful openings to the alignment of rooms and integration with nature—has been carefully chosen to enrich the lives of its inhabitants.
This is not just a house; it is a living, breathing space designed to evolve with its occupants. It stands as a model of how a contemporary style architecture can be both expressive and practical, modern and timeless, individual yet universally appealing.
Raw, natural materials play a vital role in shaping the identity of the house. Elements such as exposed concrete, natural stone, and wood have been used generously throughout the home. These materials not only provide an earthy texture and tactile warmth but also blend harmoniously with the greenery around the property, creating a tranquil urban oasis. The facade of the home is composed of clean, minimalist lines and organic textures, producing a look that is both sophisticated and grounded.
The relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces is one of seamless integration. Every room has been designed to foster a dialogue with the outdoors, whether through large openings, sightlines that frame garden views, or transitional spaces like verandahs and courtyards. This intentional blending promotes a constant sense of openness, continuity, and connection with nature.
The living room, often regarded as the heart of the home, extends into the garden via a shaded verandah, creating an almost seamless transition between the interior and the exterior. Large sliding glass doors play a dual role—visually connecting indoor and outdoor spaces while also facilitating cross-ventilation. This space becomes a zone of relaxation, social interaction, and communion with nature, a testament to the architects’ commitment to biophilic design principles.
The project draws inspiration from Brutalist architecture, reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. Characterized by the use of exposed concrete, crisp geometric forms, and a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces, the design balances rugged materiality with modern elegance. Furthermore, the fluted concrete detailing introduces a tactile sophistication, enriching the raw surfaces with a sense of refinement and visual rhythm.
Key challenges included preserving the precision of exposed concrete finishes throughout construction. Balancing minimalism with warmth through landscaping and subtle material variations also demanded close coordination between the design and execution phases.
Fact File
Designed by: MPA Design Studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: The Stone-Crete House
Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Year Built: 2024
Duration of the project: 2022-2024
Built-up Area: 9500 Sq. ft
Principal Architect: Ar. Mit Patel
Team Design Credits: Swati & Shrinil
Photograph Courtesy: Ira & PHX India
Products / Materials / Vendors: Wallcovering / Cladding – Indian granite stone cladding / Construction Materials – Exposed concrete / Sanitaryware – Hansgrohe / Furniture – Poshway / Flooring – Italian marble from OM marbles, Rajkot / Kitchen – FnF
Consultants for the Project: Civil – Shivom / Interior Designers – Brijesh contractor & associates Landscape Architect – Biophilia Design Studio / MEP & HVAC Consultants – Prabhas Engineers / Structure Engineers – AK Bhavsar / Lighting Designers – Vikas Giri / Contractors – Shivom / Project Managers – Patwa associates
Firm’s Website Link: MPA Design Studio
Firm’s Instagram Link: MPA Design Studio
For Similar Project >>A Meticulously Designed House that Caters to a Joint Family while Embracing the Principles of Vastu Shastra
The house incorporates elements of Persian design while adhering to a minimalist luxury motif. The concept is a deep journey with luxury as its language, seclusion as its promise, and functionality as its cornerstone. Known as the princess of Jaipur, it pirouettes in response to outside visual cues such as curves and smooth edges. A modern […]
The house showcases a modern three-story residence exemplifying contemporary architectural design through its clean lines, geometric volumes, and a balanced interplay of materials. The facade skillfully combines textured tile cladding, smooth plaster, and contrasting color blocks in neutral shades of gray, black, and earthy rust, adding visual depth and dynamism. Expansive glass panels framed in […]
House of Silhouettes is located in Navratan, Udaipur. The plot is a corner one facing north and west 60’x40′ with a built-up area of 6500 sq.ft., designed in contemporary modern architecture as an independent house at three levels, including terrace. House of Silhouettes Reflects Contemporary Modern Architecture | Shaunak Singh and Associates This contemporary residence […]
Nestled in the upscale neighborhood of Naranpura, Ahmedabad, Visamo is a south-facing NRI bungalow that redefines luxury modern bungalow design through a seamless blend of contemporary architecture and biophilic design. Spanning a 7,330 sq. ft. plot with 10,000 sq. ft. of built-up area, this residence is a heartfelt homecoming for a young couple returning to […]
The client envisioned a quiet contemporary residence within the dense urban fabric—a contemporary home style that balances modern aesthetics with a lived-in warmth. Functionality, spatial fluidity, and a strong connection with nature were prioritized. The home was to accommodate a multigenerational family, enabling both communal and private moments without compromising on light, ventilation, or spatial […]
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 […]
Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]
The door design for main door is a defining feature of any Indian home, embodying both style and cultural significance. In a country rich with diverse architectural traditions, the entrance to your home reflects not only personal taste but also cultural heritage. Whether you’re drawn to the intricate carvings of traditional Indian door designs or […]
Pillar design is a cornerstone of architectural elegance, seamlessly blending structural support with aesthetic appeal. Our blog, “50 Best Pillar Design Inspirations,” celebrates this essential element, showcasing a variety of styles from classical Doric and Ionic to contemporary and avant-garde innovations. Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, or a design enthusiast, these pillar design inspirations […]
This simple farmhouse design is a humble residence that responds to the climate and site. It is a fun fact that the house is both an inward and outward looking house at the same time. One of the USPs of the simple farmhouse design project would be that it connects well with the most playful […]