Being the birth place and sacred hometown of the family, in Kutch – Gujarat, Mandvi holds a special place in the hearts of the clients. Located in the inner city of Mandvi with very narrow streets, with hardly any view around, the house was visualized as an introverted object drawing light mainly from the sky. The studio visited many homes in the neighborhood and the resultant design seeks to replicate the sense of space, light quality and intimacy of the homes which exist around. Thin windows with timber verticals allow light breeze and privacy while restricting sunlight. The body of the building is completely clad in locally procured ‘KHAVDA’ stone, in a worn and pitted texture, echoing the worn building bastions of what used to be a major port in Gujarat of the yesteryears. The house is self-contained and compact at the lower level as a response to Mandvi’s extreme climate while the rooftop has been treated to provide the much needed sense of openness and release.The timber jaali wraps around the terrace to create an intimate lounging space for cool evenings, from where one may gaze out at the spectacle of the Kutch sky.
Photographs: PHX