A House In India Built As A Stone Monolith

In order for a house to truly feel rooted to its location there has to be a special connection on some level between the building and its surroundings. Each project is different in that sense. This house from Ahmedabad, in India stays connected to its surroundings by featuring a specific array of materials, finishes and colors chosen for this project in particular. The house was designed and built by SPASM in 2018.

The house was built using a lot of stone from local quarries and you can see here the vertical alignment of the blocks
The house was built using a lot of stone from local quarries and you can see here the vertical alignment of the blocks
The internal floor plan is organized according to a cross-shaped layout which allows good cross-ventilation throughout the house
The internal floor plan is organized according to a cross-shaped layout which allows good cross-ventilation throughout the house
The cross-shaped design also allows for multiple outdoor extensions to be created at the intersections
The cross-shaped design also allows for multiple outdoor extensions to be created at the intersections

The architects chose that the main material be Dhrangadhra stone sourced from local quarries. This great source of local stone inspired the team to want to clad the entire body of the house as a monolith. They ultimately clad the structure in vertical slats of stone, giving it a simple and at the same time interesting look and a nice aesthetic. The stone has a beautiful bone coloring and it also ages well, two characteristics that enrich the house’s character and look.

The seamless connection with the outdoors is emphasized in numerous different ways throughout the property
The seamless connection with the outdoors is emphasized in numerous different ways throughout the property
The transition between the indoor spaces and the courtyards is fluid and seamless thanks to areas such as this one
The transition between the indoor spaces and the courtyards is fluid and seamless thanks to areas such as this one
The internal garden and courtyard spaces are framed by roof gardens, sculptural staircases and stone pathways
The internal garden and courtyard spaces are framed by roof gardens, sculptural staircases and stone pathways

As far as the organization of the internal spaces is concerned, the house has a cross-shaped floor plan which is very practical in the sense that it allows good natural ventilation and a well0defined distribution of the spaces plus a good amount of privacy for all the different functions. In addition to all that, this organization also improves the connection between the indoor and the outdoor areas.

The horizontal roof garden lines contrast but also complement the vertical stone slats on the facades
The horizontal roof garden lines contrast but also complement the vertical stone slats on the facades
The green areas are also complemented by water features which help to create serene and tranquil spaces
The green areas are also complemented by water features which help to create serene and tranquil spaces
This pond has a very beautiful sculpture of a meditating monk which seems to be floating on the water
This pond has a very beautiful sculpture of a meditating monk which seems to be floating on the water

Apart from the array of materials and the natural finishes and colors used throughout the house, the building also dialogues with its surroundings through a series of transitional spaces which connect the indoor to the outdoor. These spaces are situated all along the edges of the cross-shaped floor plan. Their design is a bit more playful than that of the internal areas, including features such as this hanging daybed, the oversized decorative planters, the beautiful sculpture of a monk which seems to float over the pond or the tree which grows through the perforated roof. Further more, a roof garden frames the courtyards and reinforces the connection.

The transitional areas are not entirely indoor nor outdoor and this eclecticism suits them very well
The transitional areas are not entirely indoor nor outdoor and this eclecticism suits them very well
Features such as the hanging bed or the tree that grows right through the roof give the transitional spaces a playful feel
Features such as the hanging bed or the tree that grows right through the roof give the transitional spaces a playful feel
The living spaces are very bright and open and enjoy panoramic views towards the gardens
The living spaces are very bright and open and enjoy panoramic views towards the gardens

Of course, we can’t ignore the huge windows which let in large amounts of natural sunlight along with views of the gardens, the water features and the patios which serve as extensions of the internal living spaces. While that’s definitely wonderful, the light is particularly bright and can be a bit harsh to the eyes which is why the designers were careful to introduce a series of dark-colored surfaces all throughout the interior which helps reduce the glare effect.

The artificial lighting throughout the house is subtle and ambiental, being ensured by a variety of different fixtures
The artificial lighting throughout the house is subtle and ambiental, being ensured by a variety of different fixtures
Three globe pendant lamps hang above the dining table and double as decorative features for the space
Three globe pendant lamps hang above the dining table and double as decorative features for the space
The kitchen is open towards the rest of the social spaces but the island and shelves allow it to remain somewhat detached from it all
The kitchen is open towards the rest of the social spaces but the island and shelves allow it to remain somewhat detached from it all

Rich wood furniture and surfaces give the rooms an elegant and welcoming feel and play with the characteristics of contemporary architecture, allowing the house and its overall design to be sensible to the site and the lifestyle of the owners. This design direction also helps to give these spaces luxurious looks.

Rich woodwork ensures a sense of warmth and coziness in the bedroom suite, being complemented by subtle metal accents
Rich woodwork ensures a sense of warmth and coziness in the bedroom suite, being complemented by subtle metal accents
The spaces are decorated with artwork from the owner's personal collection as well as pieces by local artists
The spaces are decorated with artwork from the owner’s personal collection as well as pieces by local artists
The entire layout of this room is focused towards the views framed by the full-height windows
The entire layout of this room is focused towards the views framed by the full-height windows

The spaces are designed in relation to their location, the views, the local vernacular as well as the lifestyle and preferences of the users. They share in common a palette of colors based on neutrals and an array of finishes and textures meant to emphasize the natural beauty of the materials involved in the project.

Although the color palette is composed mostly of neutral tones, that doesn't make the decor monotonous
Although the color palette is composed mostly of neutral tones, that doesn’t make the decor monotonous
The bathrooms throughout the house are exquisite and have a luxurious allure emphasized through carefully-selected materials and finishes
The bathrooms throughout the house are exquisite and have a luxurious allure emphasized through carefully-selected materials and finishes

The bathrooms are particularly spectacular, although their elegance and luxurious decors are not totally unexpected. We love how spacious they are and the fact that they put the spotlight on the materials and their natural texture and coloring.

The bathrooms are also pretty spacious and have a very nice internal organization of the functions
The bathrooms are also pretty spacious and have a very nice internal organization of the functions
The use of marble and other natural materials enforce the strong relationship between house and nature
The use of marble and other natural materials enforce the strong relationship between house and nature