Pune Houzz: This Sumptuous House is Built for All Seasons
A medley of vernacular elements come together to create a context-sensitive home
This boutique villa was created by VDGA for its well-travelled client, who wanted a luxurious, stylish home that represented his Indian roots. “A house essentially is an expression of one’s identity. It witnesses all emotions and eventually becomes one with them. The challenge was to incorporate the client’s lifestyle while keeping the traditional values intact,” Deepak Guggari of VDGA says. The architects designed the home with traditional Indian architectural design elements and materials, which also, by nature, were climate-responsive. The result is an abode that is firmly rooted in the Indian context while incorporating all the comforts associated with modern living.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Mr and Mrs Vinod Jadhav
Location: Pune
Year built: 2013
Size: 1393 square metres (15,000 square feet); 6 bedrooms
Architectural designers: Varsha and Deepak Guggari, VDGA
Photos by Hemant Patil
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Mr and Mrs Vinod Jadhav
Location: Pune
Year built: 2013
Size: 1393 square metres (15,000 square feet); 6 bedrooms
Architectural designers: Varsha and Deepak Guggari, VDGA
Photos by Hemant Patil
The house has two entrances, a pedestrian access on the north-eastern side, and a vehicular entry on the north-western side that leads to the basement, which includes parking facilities and a home theatre. The exterior is clad with local stone till the first-floor level.
Pergolas provide protection from the harsh glare of the sun at another entry door, creating a niche where one can comfortably enjoy the fresh air.
In this home’s design, the architect blends comfort and luxury with strong influences from traditional Indian architecture to create a home that truly represents its owners. “It is the greatest responsibility on an architect to realise the unsaid dreams of the clients, to represent their culture and tradition and to build an abode where serenity lies,” Guggari says.
In this home’s design, the architect blends comfort and luxury with strong influences from traditional Indian architecture to create a home that truly represents its owners. “It is the greatest responsibility on an architect to realise the unsaid dreams of the clients, to represent their culture and tradition and to build an abode where serenity lies,” Guggari says.
A stairway leads to the double-height living room on the ground floor, which is a well-ventilated and comfortably furnished space. The colour scheme and furnishings were chosen to complement the overall theme. “The challenge was to incorporate the client’s lifestyle while keeping traditional values intact. Looking at the family structure, a traditional ensemble was designed, having a modest and subtle feel, something which could be identified with and accepted by the dwellers of the house,” Guggari says.
Vastu tips for your home
Vastu tips for your home
At the centre of the home is a large open-to-sky water courtyard. Dotted with colourful lilies, this courtyard is open to the elements and brings in a piece of the outdoors.
“This house has been designed to witness all weathers, be it the breezes on hot summer evenings, the drizzle in the monsoon or the sun soaking the spaces on cold winter mornings. All seasons are celebrated,” Guggari says. The central court also binds the various spaces in the house together, namely the living, sit-out and dining areas.
“This house has been designed to witness all weathers, be it the breezes on hot summer evenings, the drizzle in the monsoon or the sun soaking the spaces on cold winter mornings. All seasons are celebrated,” Guggari says. The central court also binds the various spaces in the house together, namely the living, sit-out and dining areas.
The large sit-out is designed with a sloping roof made of steel, wood and locally made country tiles. Leather-finished travertine is used for the flooring, striking a balance between opulence and traditional Indian materials.
The dining room leads out to the east lawn, which is located directly above the basement.
The garden includes a semi-open gazebo with seating. This area also features a traditional sloping roof, another distinctly vernacular design element. Terracotta tiles are used below on the ceiling while the upper roof layer features country tiles. A layer of insulation sandwiched between the two tile layers helps keep the temperature cool during hot summer months.
Read more about vernacular design elements
Read more about vernacular design elements
On one side of the courtyard is a vestibule separating the more private spaces of the home, including the kitchen, family room and three bedrooms. A staircase located near the linear water body leads to the first-floor passage, providing access to the private areas on that level.
A flight of stairs from the courtyard leads directly to a large terrace, meant for parties and entertaining. This can be accessed by visitors easily, without intruding on the more private areas of the home.
The first floor includes three more bedrooms, all of them styled with a unique mix of furniture and decor elements. Most of the furniture was designed by the architects and custom-made on site as per architect’s design.
The climate-responsive design of the house extends to the treatment of the windows, too. All the windows have three layers. The outermost layer is louvred to maximise ventilation while maintaining privacy. Next is a sliding glass panel to keep the air-conditioning intact while allowing a view of the outside. Lastly, the sliding curtain panels with stretched fabric serve as a shield against excess heat and light.
Also accommodated on the first floor are a study, gymnasium and a semi-open terrace, which steps down to a lower level.
Read more:
Pune Houzz: A Terrace Becomes an Extension of the Home as a Library
Houzz Tour: Kochi Biennale Curator’s Home Speaks to Its Neighbours
Tell us:
What was your favourite aspect of this home? Share in Comments below.
Also accommodated on the first floor are a study, gymnasium and a semi-open terrace, which steps down to a lower level.
Read more:
Pune Houzz: A Terrace Becomes an Extension of the Home as a Library
Houzz Tour: Kochi Biennale Curator’s Home Speaks to Its Neighbours
Tell us:
What was your favourite aspect of this home? Share in Comments below.