Throughout history, humans have undergone significant evolution, and so too have our surroundings. Adaptation, a fundamental gift of nature, has played a pivotal role in this process. Our dwellings have also progressed over time, transitioning from humble abodes with thatched roofs to incorporating cutting-edge technologies. However, in our pursuit of modernity, we occasionally overlook the simplest solutions, readily available in our vernacular architecture.
Do you recall the lesson on kutcha and pakka houses, and how house designs vary based on geographical locations in our General Knowledge books? Well, we might have left it behind with time. But, Ring House in Jaspur, Ahmedabad, takes you back and serves as a real-life demonstration. Designed by Studio prAcademics in between agricultural fields, this weekend home rests amidst nature, without tempering the existing flora and fauna.
“We identified a zone with no fruit trees and tried to knead the compact built form, hence creating smaller built footprint” say Tejas Kathiriya, Bhumin Dhanani, Gaurang Mistry of Studio prAcademics. This home, accommodating a family of fourteen (including four kids), offers everything needed for a peaceful weekend escape.
The area designated for the house has been raised by three meters, designed akin to a table with lush lawn spaces. Partially situated on this elevated platform, the built form extends with cantilevered sections. Elevating the house opened up several opportunities for the front courtyard and the house itself to be enveloped by dense foliage from mature fruit trees, with birds often seen fluttering nearby.
Back in the day, traditional homes in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat had three distinct parts: the faliyu (the forecourt), open to the sky to provide ample light and ventilation; the osri, a linear verandah serving as informal seating space; and beyond that lay the kitchen and sleeping area. Following these design principles, this circular-structured home ensures proper ventilation and controlled sunlight.
The brick-clad walls and layers of internal spaces encircle the living areas, forming a ring-like structure. Strategic perforations within this built mass create a variety of view frames, showcasing the naturally preserved landscape from the internal spaces. Additionally, Studio prAcademics incorporates slanting, saucer-like slab projections to shade the walls and openings.
In an era where modernity often overshadows simplicity, this home takes its inspiration from the pages of our history books, proving that ancient is in fact more effective and efficient.
Fact File:
Project Name: Ring House
Location: Jaspur, Ahmedabad
Area: 8750 m2
Built up: 740 m2
Photographs: Inclined Studio
Design Team: Tejas Kathiriya, Bhumin Dhanani, Gaurang Mistry
Structural Engineer: Shreeji Structurals
Landscape Design: studio prAcademics