At Home With Nature

A simpler design brief was never given, but the creative inputs from nature were bountiful. Architect Ashish Kesurvala of SAK Designs not only ceased the opportunity but delivered an impressive nature-centric, minimalist home for a family of four in Ahmedabad.

- Carol Ferrao

Nothing exemplifies luxury today than a space that is at home with nature — surprisingly a way of living we have evolved away from. So how does one marry this ingrained quest with the minimalist approach of contemporary architecture? The newest example to illustrate this union is Resort Home (a name christened by the architect) in Ahmedabad designed by architect Ashish Kesurvala, the principal at SAK Designs, an architectural, interior design and landscape studio, based in the same city as the client. Whether it’s the dense neem trees at the periphery of the plot or the courtyard-style green insertions within the house, nature exists alongside the family of four that reside in this 7,000 sq ft ground plus one dwelling.

Impressed by Ashish’s previous work, the homeowners of the Resort House relied completely on the architect to envision their new home that is nestled in a gated community. The brief specified the requirements in terms of rooms, the rest was left in the architects credible hands — just the kind of opportunity creative minds seek. For Ashish, the extended brief came from the lush green surroundings that he witnessed during his first visit to the 10,800 sq ft plot. Given how rare it was to witness such greenery in the city, the architect decided to maximize its impact throughout the built form. “We decided to create plans in such a way that you get (green) views from every corner of the house. Other advantage was that the long side was facing north and we used it to get the daylight in the house in the best possible manner — eliminating the use of artificial light throughout the day, he informs.”