Ramjula is Designed as a contemporary residence where architecture emerges from the landscape rather than living in it. Designed as a second home for a family, the project reworks the spatial logic of traditional Indian rural dwellings. Courtyards, shaded Terraces, and garden thresholds are seen through a limited and climate-responsive architectural language.
Editor’s Note: There’s a certain quiet honesty in homes that don’t try too hard to stand out, but instead choose to belong. Ramjula feels like one of those spaces. Rooted in familiar ideas of courtyards, verandahs and open thresholds, the home reinterprets traditional living in a way that feels effortless and relevant today. What stands out is not just the planning, but the way light, air and movement shape the experience– Yamini Patil
This Home Reworks The Spatial Logic Of Traditional Indian Homes | Vicara Design Studio
The site planning is led by the spatial logic of water and terrain. At the heart of the property lies a central lake that anchors the project both visually and environmentally. The building directs rain from its roofs and paved surfaces toward this water body, and the Spillover restores an existing well on site.
The construction process reshaped the excavated earth into gentle landforms that define jogging trails, shaded pathways, and pause points such as the bamboo court and woodland. Landscape, circulation, and ecology operate as a single continuous system.
The design arranges the built form as a series of low-rise volumes around a central courtyard. Deep verandas and covered walkways connect these volumes and blur the boundary between interior and exterior spaces.
Movement through the house unfolds as a sequence of shaded passages, open courts, and framed views into gardens and water, allowing the experience of the home to change subtly with light, breeze, and season.
Material choices reinforce this grounded spatial experience. Kota stone flooring provides thermal comfort and visual calm within the interiors, while Jaisalmer stone introduces warmth and softness in selected areas.
Outdoor courts and thresholds are defined using chocolate sandstone, lending depth and texture to transitional spaces. Overhead, Mangalore tile roofs soften the architectural profile and recall familiar vernacular forms, while deep overhangs protect openings from harsh sun and rain.
Local craftsmanship plays a key role in shaping the house. Stone, brick, wood, and textile elements were executed in collaboration with regional artisans, allowing traditional skills to be embedded within a contemporary framework without overt ornamentation.
Passive design strategies guide the project’s environmental performance. Shaded verandas, cross-ventilation, and controlled openings reduce reliance on mechanical cooling, while native planting establishes microclimates and supports biodiversity across the site.
Together, architecture and landscape create a quiet, low-energy homestead—one that prioritizes slowness, continuity, and a deep connection to place.
Fact File
Designed by: Vicara Design Studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Ramjula – A Contemporary Courtyard Homestead
Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Year Built: 2025
Built-up Area: 12000 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Sankalpa Patel & Jaimish Dhameliya
Design Credits: Jaimish Dhameliya, Sankalpa patel and Reeyaa Shah
Landscape Architecture: Sculpting Grounds
Photograph Courtesy: Neesaar by Tarun Hirapara
Firm’s Instagram Link: Vicara Design Studio
Firm’s Facebook Link: Vicara Design Studio
For Similar Project >>> This Aesthetic Courtyard House With Lush Landscape Design Offers A Calm Aura To The Users
Layers don’t just sit here; they breathe, shift, and whisper through light. The Screen, set in the sun-drenched fabric of Solapur, Maharashtra, isn’t trying to scream luxury. It doesn’t need to. It moves quieter than that, more composed, more intentional, like a pause button carved into the chaos of the city. Spread across 4,125 sq. […]
This project is located in Ben Tre, Vietnam, and was completed in 2021. With a total area of 430m2, the project set within concrete vaults includes 3 bedrooms and one living room, each with a view of the nearby river. Concrete Vaults Form The Main Identity Of This Vietnamese Home | VTN Architects The ground […]
We conceive EMA not as a conventional architectural object, but as a living continuum of memory, ecology, and craft. Located in Malappuram, Kerala, the 1,700 sq. ft. residence, designed with thermal comfort draws from vernacular wisdom and the philosophy of the Kaavu—the sacred grove—where humans, nature, and other living beings coexist without hierarchy. Within this […]
Set within the lush landscapes of Bharanikavu in Kollam, Arcade – a single storey residence that blends tropical modern architecture with colonial and traditional elements. Designed for a businessman, his wife (a teacher) and their two daughters, this house showcases a shared interest for elegance rooted in familiarity. This Single Storey Home Sits Amidst Lush […]
Noah’s Ark is a contemporary residence designed as a calm and welcoming home with a clear planning. The client’s brief was to create a home that felt simple, warm, and timeless without becoming overly minimal or impersonal. Noah’s Ark responds by blending clear planning, honest materials, and personal elements, resulting in a house that is […]
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 […]
Nestled within a 30×40 ft plot is the compact house design in Banashankari 6th Stage, Bengaluru. This residence for the Ellappans, reimagines traditional Indian living in a contemporary, spatially dynamic form. Designed for a family of three- Mr. Ellappan, his wife, and their teenage son- the house expresses a deep connection to vernacular roots while […]
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 […]
Architecture font choices go beyond style—they shape how your work is perceived. From portfolios to presentations, the right architecture font instantly communicates clarity, precision, and personality. As architects, we design not just with space but with every detail, including typography. Selecting a strong architecture font shows your commitment to visual storytelling and design consistency. In […]
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 […]