A spiritual journey is an inquiry into one’s own existence, or rather an inquiry into existence and non-existence and the relation between the two, culminating in the realization of pure existence beyond inquiry. Founder and Creative Director of Ahmedabad-based multi-disciplinary design studio Design Ni Dukaan Veeram Shah’s latest architectural masterpiece “Enclosure”, a courtyard house – spread across 2,137 square meters — has been no different, and perhaps the most important learning has been one of self-negation.
Veeram Shah’s Latest Architectural Masterpiece “Enclosure”, A Courtyard House | Design Ni Dukaan
Visit : Design Ni Dukaan
How does one design a formless house? This was the primary inquiry from which the conceptual foundation for the project was generated. This led to the designer questioning the very basis of built forms.
This caused a shift in the designer’s perception that resulted in an inside-out approach to the design, wherein the experience of space from within took precedence over the external form and a second skin wrapped around the structure, holding the separate parts together and defining a series of courtyards that are intrinsic to the experience of the house.
And so, it became a house without elevations, an inward-looking “Enclosure” located in India’s Western state Gujarat’s quaint town Himmatnagar, the administrative headquarters of Sabarkantha district.
The materiality of the enclosure was the product of a parallel inquiry into the logistics of construction in the remote, rural location.
The client, who himself had gone from being a farmer to a successful businessman now returning to his roots, insisted on employing local labor so as an experiment a village contractor was asked to build a sample wall in concrete, and the outcome: an unpredictable but beautiful texture caused by the shifting and warping of unbolted wooden formwork; was fascinating.
These “anticipated imperfections” were embraced as part of the construction process, even extending this choice to the use of other materials.
The muted material palette of concrete discolored Kota stone, white and wood is occasionally punctuated by a warm terracotta tone: at the main entrance (where it forms the backdrop to a brass Bindu, signifying the point of origin), in the swimming pool, on seats around seasonally flowering trees, and sculptural objects scattered throughout the house and garden.
The only other use of color is found in the most private spaces of the house, the bathrooms, with each being rendered in a different pastel shade and dramatically illuminated by turret-like skylights.
The footprint planning attempts to separate public, semi-private, and private zones of the house while maintaining a continuity of flow around a central open space.
All parts of the house open onto a courtyard, via a covered corridor, as well as onto smaller, private courts, ensuring that they get adequate light and ventilation while being protected from the harsh tropical sun and hot winds.
In many ways this project directed the trajectory of the studio (Design Ni Dukaan) during its formative years. Disrupted by several delays during Covid-19, it took them almost nine years to finish the project.
The span of time, in fact, gave them the opportunity to repeatedly reassess their ideas of what architecture is, of what a design practice should be, and to delve deeper into these questions while still being able to detach from and discard concepts when required.
As the project progressed, everything from to interiors to the landscape architecture was addressed to develop a comprehensive design language, and all elements down to the smallest, including furniture and hardware and light fittings, were rigorously detailed and custom-made by their craftsmen.
The project was truly a celebration of the act of creation, which has become for us the essence of our design practice.
Fact File
Designed by : Design Ni Dukaan
Project Type : Residential Architecture Design
Year : 2021
Location : Himmatnagar
Project Name : Enclosure House
Area : 23002 Sq.ft
Principal Architect : Veeram Shah
Photography Credits : The Fishy Project
Firm’s Website Link : Design Ni Dukaan
Firm’s Instagram Link : Design Ni Dukaan
Firm’s Facebook Link : Design Ni Dukaan
Source : Archdaily
For Similar Project >> CHUZHI HOUSE IS A 2BHK RESIDENCE DESIGNED WITH AN OPEN LAYOUT AND MINIMALIST INTERIOR DESIGN
In the vibrant town of Kannur, Kerala, the contemporary house design of this residence is more than a home—it’s a sanctuary designed to nurture both body and soul. Built for a family of five, it blends minimalist elegance with everyday comfort, creating a space that feels alive, welcoming, and deeply connected to nature. Editor’s Note: […]
True to its name, Retreat Home by Neogenesis+Studi0261 is a getaway home to escape the frenzied hustle and bustle of city life. A holiday home to a diamond merchant in Surat, this elemental yet contemporary house has been designed to embrace extended families, making room for warm interactions as it seamlessly connects the indoors with […]
The one-acre site of Saukhya Farm is nestled in the lush valley of Beze Village, on the outskirts of Nashik. Surrounded by small farms, it offers sweeping views of Beze Dam and the surrounding hills. The clients’ brief was to transform the site into a farmhouse and to cultivate part of it into an orchard. Work […]
Nestled on the bustling Karnavati Road in Ahmedabad, this modern residence spans over a 10,881 sq. ft. corner plot, seamlessly integrating form, function, and tranquility. The house is thoughtfully planned in an L-shaped configuration of this house design, with its entry oriented to the east and a lush garden strategically placed in the southwest corner […]
In the heart of a dense urban fabric lies this conscientiously designed three-storeyed residence ‘VILAS’ in a plot of 1700 sq. ft. for a multi-generational family catering and navigating the requirements and ensuring their dreams come to reality. This three-storey house design is carefully crafted cuboid with interesting solids and voids, creating peripheral balconies and […]
Designing a home is not just about creating a space—it’s about crafting an experience that reflects the personality of its inhabitants while balancing aesthetics with functionality and sustainability. This contemporary, a private residential bungalow house located in Ahmedabad, India, stands as a testament to that philosophy. Designed for a family of four, the space merges […]
This contemporary exterior house design is nestled behind the vibrant pulse of a bustling hospital. This residence, spread across 6250 sq.ft., unveils a captivating fusion of timeless charm and contemporary elegance, veiled by an intricate jali screen. As you traverse the gates, you are welcomed into an entrance that artfully intertwines cultural motifs with the […]
When does a house become a home? What can a house do more than just provide shelter? Does the feeling of a space rely on tangible elements (furniture, decor, etc.)? Or is the feeling of a space defined by the intangible (light, volume, wind, etc.)? These tangible and intangible inquiries into this house architecture design—the […]
This Modern Mud House in a vulnerable ecosystem had to be a breathing edifice, born of the earth, slowly ebbing into the soil. Birds fly and make homes in lands far away. Vedanthangal is a chosen land for migratory birds. The untouched vegetation and aquatic plants maintain the bird sanctuary in Vedanthangal as one of […]
Situated on a 7-cent site, this modern architecture house in Coimbatore offers a utilitarian lifestyle while combining form and function. It is a hidden treasure nestled in the colorful tapestry of Coimbatore’s urban sprawl. With Central Jaali and Dynamic Lighting, the House’s Stunning Elevation shines with its richly textured wall and the exquisitely designed screen. […]