The ‘Aahan Villa’ project in Ahmedabad brilliantly combines seamless spaces, green touches, and a dexterous infusion of personality to build the most wholesome luxury abode.
When Aalekh Developers reached out to Open Ideas, a multi-disciplinary design studio, they had just acquired a land near Vastrapur Lake and wanted to figure out the construction typology to replace the existing old bungalow. Eventually it was agreed that there would be 4 row houses at the centre and 2 twin residences on the corner sites in ‘Aahan Villa’.
But then, things took an interesting turn. Dr. Jayesh Amin, a leading IVF specialist from Ahmedabad, wanted to purchase one of the twin residences, but wished to convert them into a single living space. The need for a reconfiguration elevated the challenge and excitement of the project.
The doctor couple named their personal abode, ‘Reva’, signifying the Narmada River. “The client was clear that he did not want the house to look like 2 units had been put together. It needed to have a seamless flow to it,” says Monarch Champaneri, co-founder and principal architect of Open Ideas.
There is an expansive quality about the house with only the bedrooms having wall enclosures, while the rest of the rooms merge together to form one free space, separated at times by wooden and metal screen walls.
There is a conscious touch of greenery right from the lawn and the spacious courtyards at the front of the house to the terrace garden. Even the patio area with an informal dining space comes with an adjoining green wall.
The ‘Aahan’ project uses a natural palette and the same theme has been extended to ‘Reva’, too. The façade has horizontal stone cladding accompanied by zig-zag-patterned concrete, subtle wooden finishes and liberal use of steel and glass in the interiors.
The living room has 2 separate seating areas - informal and formal (for clients and guests). The beige Italian marble flooring flows through the spaces on the lower level.
A DNA-shaped Swarovski crystal chandelier with dazzling white lights hangs majestically from the double-heighted ceiling of the dining room. The painting at the foyer, the innovative display of brown wall art and the triad of paintings in the bedroom using primary colours represent a common theme of transformation in human life.
Three generations of the family stay at ‘Reva’ with the first floor shared by the grandparents and the twin children of the couple. “Communication was an important goal for the clients. They wanted the design to facilitate an interaction between the senior and junior generations in order to bond, share wisdom and have fun, in short,” says Champaneri. On the second floor is the master bedroom with a private lounge and deck area.
Sun path diagrams were studied to bring maximum light into the house. Elements such as wooden overhangs were added to ensure this. In the patio, the semi-open wooden roof creates a light and shadow play allowing optimum levels of light to come in. Long shades and windows bring in the cool southern breeze.
The ‘Aahan Villa’ wins you over with its simplicity and oneness with nature. It is a place where every element is there for a purpose, blending with the personalities of its residents.
