An abode amidst trees is nothing short of bliss. For Rahul Gore and Sonal Sancheti of _Opolis Architects however it was a challenge of sorts to create a living space within a veritable tree-scape. With their designs evolved a dynamic house that is in sync with nature and espouses a certain lifestyle. The architects began the uphill task of creating a house around the trees, without cutting down a single one. They segregated the site into different sections based on the quality of trees. Given the specific needs of the owners, the house was divided into three distinct parts: the entertainment areas, the semi-private areas and the private spaces. The three main parts are integrated - woven into the trees to make courtyards, water bodies, light wells, such that the spatial dynamics created has resulted in spaces with extreme relationships between inside and outside spaces. Skylights, water bodies, screens and courtyards have been irreplaceable features in traditional India architecture, especially in the Gujarat-Kutch-Rajasthan regions. And it is heartening to see how _Opolis Architects have used these elements with a modern twist to design a contemporary house.
