Vault House is a contemporary farmhouse located in Kotna, Gujarat, designed by MS Design Studio as a retreat that seamlessly integrates nature, vernacular architecture, and minimalist design principles. Spanning a built-up area of 6000 sq feet within a 3-acre site, the residence reflects a deliberate balance between earthy materiality and modern spatial planning, creating a timeless living environment deeply rooted in its context.
Editor’s Note: “Vault House stands as a testament to timeless living, where vernacular wisdom meets contemporary design. With its grounded form, earthy materials, and a vocabulary rooted in traditional architecture, the home not only blends into its natural surroundings but also celebrates them. Evoking both grandeur and warmth, Vault House is a space that matures gracefully alongside nature, embodying a quiet elegance that endures.” ~Rajvi Dedakiya
Vault House Accentuates Timeless Living Environment | MS Design Studio
The primary design intent was to create a home that not only responds to the landscape but celebrates it. The architectural vocabulary draws inspiration from traditional forms, specifically the vaulted structure, reinterpreted with clean lines and minimalist detailing.
The defining feature of Vault House is its grand self-supporting vaults, which span 8 meters without the need for internal columns or reinforcement. These monumental arches lend a sense of scale, rhythm, and openness to the spaces, evoking both grandeur and warmth.
At the heart of the design lies a central courtyard, an age-old element in Indian architecture that promotes natural ventilation, passive cooling, and visual connection with the outdoors.
This courtyard becomes the core around which the interior spaces are organized, encouraging indoor-outdoor living and fostering interaction with nature. Covered walkways, spacious verandas, and open decks act as transitional spaces that further dissolve the threshold between the built form and the lush landscape.
The material palette plays a crucial role in establishing the home’s earthy character. Locally sourced rammed earth, exposed brickwork, natural stone wall, wood, and glass are used in their raw, honest form.
The materials have been chosen not just for their aesthetic appeal but for their ability to age beautifully, blending the architecture seamlessly into its surroundings over time. The interiors follow the same ethos, muted tones, natural textures, and minimal ornamentation allow the focus to remain on spatial quality and material richness.
Sustainability forms the backbone of the design strategy. The use of passive design principles, such as the vaulted roofs for heat insulation, cross-ventilation through the courtyard, and the thermal mass of rammed earth walls, ensures a comfortable living environment throughout the year without heavy dependence on mechanical systems. The planning carefully considers solar orientation, wind flow, and natural shading provided by the mature trees around the site.
Vault House stands as a sensitive response to its site, promoting slowness, simplicity, and harmony. It merges contemporary architectural language with regional wisdom, resulting in a home that is not only aesthetic and functional but also emotionally connected to its context.
The project exemplifies how architecture can transcend mere functionality. Further, become a sensory, soulful experience, celebrating nature, tradition, and modernity in equal measure.
Fact File
Designed by: MS Design Studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Vault House
Location: Kotna, India
Year Built: 2024
Project Size: 6000 Sq.ft
Principal Designers: Manav Patel & Shivangi Patel
Photograph Courtesy: Tejas Shah Photography
Source: Arch Daily
Firm’s Instagram Link: MS Design Studio
Firm’s Facebook Link: MS Design Studio
For Similar Projects >> A Captivating Family Home, Seamlessly Blending Tradition and Modernity
This residence is a contemporary bungalow that beautifully fuses minimalism with luxurious detail and natural materials, standing as an architectural statement defined by restrained elegance and thoughtful materiality. From the very first impression, its exterior establishes a refined rhythm through the interplay of textured vertical panels and smooth, neutral-toned surfaces, balancing lightness and solidity. Natural […]
Located in the breathtaking Sahyadri mountains of Igatpuri, Nashik, the sloping roof home is a masterclass in harmonizing architecture with nature. We’ve preserved the natural contours, shaping them into steps that enhance the landscape’s visual appeal. This Sloping Roof Home in The Sahyadri’s Sits Harmoniously With Nature | Unbound Studio Design Elements The design guides […]
This project involves designing a residence on a 2400 sq. ft. plot, located in a densely built urban area where achieving optimal natural light throughout the day posed a challenge. The design accommodates a three-story structure with six bedrooms and all essential spaces. “The designers incorporated a central courtyard into the plan to ensure that […]
The design of Coexistence House is rooted in the philosophy of living in harmony with nature. The site, located in Perungudi—a rapidly urbanising neighbourhood of Chennai—held a unique character with its mature mango and coconut trees, remnants of an older garden deeply tied to the memory of the place. The client’s deep emotional connection to […]
There are countless options when designing a home; each story is distinct to the person who creates it. “When we were asked to craft a home that revolved around the idea of practicality and modern materials, we decided to create a space that felt contemporary and brought in the idea of nature”, says Ar. Saumya […]
“Hilltop House” is envisioned as a contemporary yet context-sensitive residential project that harmonizes architecture and interior design to create a sanctuary perched on a scenic elevation. The design will respond directly to the topography, climate, and panoramic views, while delivering a highly functional, comfortable, and aesthetically refined living environment. This Hilltop House in Indore Is […]
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 […]