A contemporary villa developed on traditional ideals, Chikoowadi (a farm of sapodilla trees) houses a family of 6. The clients envisioned an inward looking house with a courtyard, a quintessential feature/element in the famous Pol houses in the walled city of Ahmedabad. Owing to the regular gatherings of friends, the clients wanted the residence to have open spaces, while ensuring that other members of the family are not disturbed. Other requirements included a private swimming pool and a large lawn area. 

Upon analyzing the client brief and examining the site, we developed a basic concept that involved two key elements, 9 sapodilla trees, each around 25 years old, and the courtyard. The form of the building was designed in accordance with the location of these trees and the concept aimed at creating a dialogue between the building and the trees. Due to the possibility of water logging during monsoons, the ground level of the site was raised to 1.5 meters and the house was aligned on a north-south axis to minimize heat gain. 

Once the concept was in place, we started shaping the design of the space, and designed an experience of a scenic journey for everyone who walked in. Welcomed with a water body and a soothing water wall on one side, one then walks on a bridge to a foyer, an exposed RCC box, to enter the house. The entrance is a vestibule leads the visitor to the public areas viz. the guest bedroom and formal living room on one side and the dining area on the other, through a long corridor with glass windows. Upon entrance, they are greeted with a view of the garden and a tree. The placement of every window and balcony is done such that a sapodilla tree is always visible. 

The other key element of the design process was the courtyard. It provided an entrance to the family living room, a space for an informal gathering placed between two trees. The dining room, placed between the garden and the courtyard, was a lively space that seamlessly integrated the indoors and outdoors.

Each room had placements of balconies and windows designed in a manner that the view is unique. The grandmother’s room had a tree right outside the window whereas there was plantation inside the guest room. Both master bedrooms, placed on the first floor, has open to sky shower areas. While one master bedroom overlooks the courtyard, the other overlooks the vast garden area. The lounge area was connected to the house with a bridge.

The swimming pool was placed in the basement to ensure the privacy of clients and their guests, and was also accessible through a ramp in the garden. Sliding folding louvered doors provided clients with the necessary privacy, while also giving them a view of the lush gardens. The garden area, rife with beautiful plantations, was divided by the ramp into two levels, with one level connected to the backyard.

‍