The Resort House
Spread across a sprawling land bank of approximately 4,00,000 sq.ft the resort house is undoubtedly an
attempt to create a building that brings you close to nature. A building that resonates with the feeling of
living in a resort ‘full time’. As directed by the client brief the program asked for two twin houses
connected by a common central formal block. In addition to this primary requirement was the need for a
separate structure to be referred to as the clubhouse. The aesthetic brief asked for a design that finds the
right blend between tradition and modernity. The architectural interpretation of the same was established
in the roofscape which is a combination of primary functions having pitched sloping roofs to connecting
corridors having a flat roof structure reflecting a modern minimalistic language.
For a house with a built up of approximately 50,000 sq.ft one might imagine the program to be very
elaborate and complex. Surprisingly the brief was simple with a lot on emphasis of spaciousness and
sheer scale. While the twin houses enjoy individual entry points the main entry to the project is via the
central formal block.
A tree lined driveway brings you into the lofty formal living block. A wooden bridge over an expansive
shallow lotus pond takes you from the drop off to the main entrance door. The formal living block was
conceived as a double height glass pavilion overlooking the plush central lawn flanked by the houses on
each side. Stepped sloping wooden ceiling with elegant modern bronze chandeliers accentuate the sheer
grandeur of the space. On the garden side the formal living enjoys a generous shaded verandah space.
With large sliding glazed windows the same can become an extension of the living in fair weather. Neatly
tucked away and hidden from public view are the pantry and toilet facilities. Glass lined corridors on
either side of the formal central block form a bridge like connect between the central block and the
individual houses. Floor to ceiling veneer paneling and screens finished in metallic duco add to the sense
of grandeur.
Individual houses have been planned as a C shaped block arranged around a family garden. Enclosed
glass edged corridors run along the entire periphery of the garden connecting the various functions.
Located at either end of the ‘C’ are two master bedroom suites housing the residents. Each individual
house is complete with dedicated living dining and kitchen spaces. These spaces have been designed to
provide a visual connect with the family and formal garden on either side to enhance the sense of
transparency. The Pooja room for each house is envisaged as a semi-detached space flanked by shallow
water bodies on either side. For both houses the look and feel of the public spaces has been kept identical
to establish a sense of continuity. The individual master bedroom suites, four in number have been given
distinctly different aesthetics that echo the user’s individual personalities. Each master bedroom suite is
complete with its own lounge, private study, walk in wardrobe and bathroom facilities. The bathroom
boasts of a lavish built in Jacuzzi that looks out onto a walled in open to sky landscaped court. The court
is complete with a shower for that outdoor experience. All the master bedrooms enjoy access to a shaded
verandah that overlooks a private garden. Keeping the generic layout constant each suite enjoys a
distinctive look and feel established by changes in materiality from flooring and wall finishes to artwork
and accessories. In addition to twin guest bedrooms that are tastefully anointed the individual houses
have a family library and a more formal study room to create variable experiences. Incorporated into the
master layout are service corridors that connect the central formal block and the twin houses to utility
spaces like an elaborate central kitchen, store, cleaning and washing rooms as well as servant quarters.
The Resort House was done in Atelier Design N Domain.
Partner’s are-Ar Anand Menon and Ar Shobhan Kothari
Credits for photography - ©Photographix | Sebastian + Ira
Completion Year : 2018, Area : 50000sqft ; Location : SEVASI – Vadodara- Gujarat
Web site : www.adnd.in.