Dual House in Ahmedabad, India by Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Article source: Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Two individual houses were to be designed for 2 brothers and their families was the brief of this project. The plot (1000 smt) is situated in the R3 zone of the outskirts of Ahmedabad (a city in the western part of India). A very clear instruction from the client was that they did not want to divide the plot and use it as a huge common space for both the families.

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA) 

• Architects: Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)
• Project: Dual House
• Location: Ahmedabad, India

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

The distinctive quality of this project was that both the houses needed to look alike, as they are situated in the same plot. Thus the design language needed to remain the same, however the requirements differed. The material play was done using exposed RCC and exposed brick work in both the houses. During the making of this house, the cost was a parameter.

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

This challenged me to find alternate materials without compromising with my design. An example for this is using the exposed RCC treatment on the plastered surface to get a better quality of work in lower prices. Moreover the formed masses gave the houses many variations in each facade. It is almost as if the house looks different from different angles.

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Cross ventilation was an important factor, which was considered while designing both the houses. I wanted to prevent the direct sun rays coming in from the south and west facade, however, I didn’t want to stop the breeze coming in the house, thus using the aluminium fins as sun breakers worked as the best solution.

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

One feels the same exterior architectural language after walking in the houses too. The interior facades are a blend of white, exposed RCC and exposed brick work. An exposed RCC wall mural enhances the space and its dominancy. These murals, in both the houses, were designed and casted on site. I chose Kotah stone as flooring in the houses as it compliments the language of architecture and also demarks the spaces boldly.

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

The courtyard and pooja rooms (prayer rooms) works as buffer spaces in each house, separating the personal and common spaces such as the living and dining rooms. Double height spaces are given in both the houses to make the common spaces look grand. These double heights also help to keep the visual connection between both the floors intact.

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

The concept of having a beautifully developed garden being seen from the insides of a house remains the same in every project I design. I believe my clients should be able to enjoy the garden and landscape even when they are seated in the house. Thus providing small courtyards and giving full height windows are always incorporated in my projects.

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

An excellent example for this is the courtyard given on the western side of Rujul’s house. A high wall was designed to provide Cascade fall in order to create a wind tunnel. The wind gets cooler whilst passing through this courtyard and then enters the dining room through the living room, thus cooling the entire house.

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Image Courtesy Vipul Patel Architects (VPA)

Tags: Ahmedabad, India

Categories: House, Residential

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