https://www.facebook.com/945759175283312/

NOOK Magazine, Jalan Radin Anum, Bandar Baru Sri Petaling, Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur (2026)

06/10/2026

𝗫𝗶𝗻𝘇𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗹 — 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲
How do you renew a traditional village without erasing the memory embedded within it?
In Xinzhaiping Village, Hunan, China, UPA approaches this question through a thoughtful dialogue between preservation and contemporary intervention. Rather than treating the existing village as something to be replaced, the project seeks to understand its architectural character, spatial relationships and cultural memory—and then carefully build upon them.
The renewal is founded on a simple yet powerful idea: mixing the old with the new.
The existing traditional timber structures are retained, while a new system of roofs and wall enclosures is introduced around them. The result is neither a reconstruction of the past nor a conventional contemporary building. Instead, the two architectural languages are allowed to coexist.
At the heart of the project are the centuries-old timber roof frames. Weathered by time, they carry distinctive colours, textures and traces of craftsmanship. Rather than hiding these imperfections, the design places them at the centre of the new architecture.
The old timber frames continue to serve as the primary structural elements, supporting the newly introduced spaces around them. In this sense, the structure becomes more than a construction system—it becomes a physical connection between generations.
The architecture allows the past to remain structurally present while giving it a new purpose.
The transformation also introduces a series of carefully considered spatial variations. Mezzanines, shifted connections and extended units create different types of accommodation, ranging from single-level rooms to lofts and suites.
These interventions expand the functional possibilities of the original houses while avoiding a repetitive interpretation of traditional rural architecture. Each space acquires a slightly different relationship with the existing structure, creating a richer sequence of experiences throughout the renewed village.
The craftsmanship is equally important.
The preserved timber structures were repaired and reconstructed using traditional techniques by local carpenters. During construction, the existing wooden walls and roof were carefully removed, while the historic timber frame was temporarily lifted and relocated to an adjacent open area.
Once the new foundations were completed, the original frame was carefully returned to its new position.
This process reflects an important philosophy behind the project: preservation is not simply about keeping an old object intact. It can also mean finding ways for an existing structure to continue participating in contemporary life.
The ground construction responds to the wet local climate through an elevated timber beam system, keeping the building slightly above the ground while reinforcing its connection to traditional construction methods.
Ultimately, Xinzhaiping Village Renewal is less about creating something entirely new and more about giving an existing place the opportunity to evolve.
Its architecture demonstrates that rural renewal does not have to come at the expense of heritage. With sensitivity, craftsmanship and a clear understanding of place, tradition can become the foundation for contemporary living.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀—𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲.
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁: Xinzhaiping Village Renewal
𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻: UPA
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Hunan, China
𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁: UPA, Lian He, HAN Shuangyu

NOOK Magazine

05/10/2026

𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 — 𝗔 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱

Hidden within the farmlands of Jaspur village in Baroda, India, House Under the Trees sits quietly among a dense cluster of Neem trees and the undulating ravines carved into the earth by generations of stormwater.
Designed by Doro, the house was conceived as a retreat for two people engaged in farming—a place removed from the rhythm of everyday life, yet closely connected to the land, the seasons and the simple pleasures of gathering outdoors.
Rather than imposing itself upon the site, the architecture responds to what was already there.
The 22-metre-long linear home stretches gently across the landscape, with its canopy carefully positioned around the existing trees. Raised on slender columns, the roof leaves the ground largely untouched, allowing the landscape to flow beneath the house.
The elevated roof creates an intriguing architectural idea: a canopy beneath a canopy. Suspended above the living spaces, it provides shade and shelter while giving the compact plan an unexpected sense of volume and openness.
A curving timber deck leads into the house through the dining area, extending from the higher ground and cantilevering towards the ravine. It becomes more than a circulation route—it is a threshold between the cultivated landscape and the intimate world of the home.
Inside, parallel earthen walls frame expansive views of the surrounding countryside. Openings are positioned to allow the greenery to become part of the interior, blurring the distinction between shelter and landscape.
One of the most thoughtful elements is the central wall, which extends beyond the main volume to respond to the movement of the sun. It protects the interiors from the harsh western summer sun while allowing the gentler winter sunlight to enter.
At the same time, the wall subtly divides the communal and private areas of the home, creating a sequence of spaces around the deck and the covered outdoor sitting area, punctuated by circular columns.
What makes the project particularly compelling is the way its outdoor spaces emerged through observation rather than prescription. The architects and builders experienced the site through an entire cycle of seasons, adapting the architecture as construction progressed.
Even the workers' daily routines became part of this relationship with the land. Under the intense Indian sun, artisans naturally sought shade beneath the trees—some resting within a natural bowl in the terrain, others gathering beneath a 150-year-old Neem tree for tea, lunch and occasional afternoon naps.
Perhaps this is what gives the house its quiet authenticity.
It was not simply designed for the landscape. It was shaped by observing how people, trees, sunlight, water and the changing seasons already belonged together.

𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲; 𝗶𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗶𝘁.
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁: House Under the Trees
𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻: Doro
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Jaspur, Baroda, India
𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁: Doro, Naomy Parikh, The Fishy Project, Stavan Bhagora, ADCE, Babubhai
𝗧𝗲𝘅𝘁: By the Architect

03/09/2026

𝗞𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗶 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 & 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼: 𝗔 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝘁𝘀 𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿

A home is not simply a structure placed upon the land. It is a living environment—one that evolves with its occupants, reflects their way of life and develops a deeper character over time.
In Chiang Mai, Thailand, KhianKhai Home & Studio by Sher Maker explores precisely this idea. Rather than imagining the house as a finished object, the architects conceived it as something that could be gradually shaped and “grown” by the people who inhabit it.
Spanning 260 square metres across two levels, the house stretches along the length of its site. A central terrace acts as the heart of the composition, connecting the different functions while establishing a continuous relationship with the surrounding landscape.
At the front, the house meets a small village road. Towards the rear, however, the character changes dramatically, opening towards mature trees and an expansive rice field. The architecture therefore becomes a mediator between the everyday life of the village and the quietness of the natural landscape.
The site's sloping terrain plays an important role in the organisation of the house. Rather than attempting to flatten the land, the design works with its natural contours. The main entrance is positioned on the upper level, opening directly onto the terrace and kitchen hall. This floor accommodates the bedroom, kitchen hall and living room, creating the principal living environment.
Partially embedded into the slope below, the lower level is constructed with robust concrete walls. Here, more private and functional spaces—including storage and a music composition studio—are tucked into the terrain, giving the building a sense of belonging to the site rather than simply sitting upon it.
One of the most distinctive elements is the terrace, where different materials interact with the surrounding vegetation. At its centre stands an existing White Meranti tree, becoming an integral part of the architectural experience. Rather than removing the tree to accommodate the building, the house grows around it.
Wood further strengthens this relationship with nature. Reclaimed local timber was carefully treated and repurposed into smaller architectural elements, giving the house a tactile quality while retaining a sense of material history. The use of traditional Lanna tiles, characteristic of northern Thailand, adds another layer of cultural identity to the residence.
The result is an architecture that feels deeply connected to its context. The changing levels follow the land, reclaimed timber carries traces of the past, and the existing trees become part of the architecture itself.
KhianKhai Home & Studio demonstrates that a meaningful home does not necessarily need to dominate its landscape. Sometimes, the most powerful architecture is that which grows quietly alongside it.

Project: KhianKhai Home & Studio
Architects: Sher Maker
Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Area: 260 m²
Photography: Rungkit Charoenwat, Hana Abdel

NOOK Magazine

01/09/2026

𝗜𝗗 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲: 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

Designed by Wahana Architects, ID House is a contemporary family residence in Jakarta, Indonesia, conceived around a simple yet powerful idea: bringing people together while preserving spaces for privacy and retreat.
Set within a quiet residential development, the 500-square-metre home occupies a compact 300-square-metre plot. Designed for a family with two children, the architecture carefully balances communal living, individual privacy and a strong relationship with the outdoors.
The ground floor is conceived as an open and welcoming social space, where the living and dining areas flow directly towards the garden. Rather than treating the garden as a separate landscape element, the design allows it to become an extension of the interior, dissolving the conventional boundary between inside and outside.

A large void on the second floor creates another important connection. Positioned between the family room and the dining area below, it visually links different levels of the house while allowing family members to remain connected even when occupying different spaces.

The second floor also accommodates a guest bedroom, family room and dedicated workspace, creating a flexible layer between the more public ground floor and the private upper level.

On the third floor, the atmosphere becomes quieter and more intimate. The master bedroom and children's bedrooms provide each family member with a personal retreat. This clear vertical organisation allows the house to shift naturally from togetherness to privacy as one moves upwards.

What makes ID House particularly engaging is not an extravagant architectural gesture, but the way its spaces are organised around everyday family life. Open-plan areas encourage interaction, while carefully positioned voids and visual connections maintain a sense of togetherness throughout the three-storey residence.

The result is a home that understands that family life requires both shared experiences and personal space. Architecture becomes the framework that allows these two seemingly opposite needs to coexist comfortably.

Project: ID House
Architects: Wahana Architects
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Site Area: 300 m²
Building Area: 500 m²
Photography: Wahana Architects
Text by the architect, refined for editorial presentation.

17/08/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝟭𝟵𝟲𝟱 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲: 𝗔 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴

Architecture does not always need to begin with a blank sheet. Sometimes, the most thoughtful design is about understanding what is already there—and discovering what the building could become.
Overlooking the waters of Port Hacking in Australia, this 1965 engineer’s house has been carefully transformed by Watershed Architects into a home that feels deeply connected to its extraordinary setting.
The original house was defined by a straightforward rectangular form, reflecting the practical thinking of its time. Rather than erase that architectural character, the architects chose to retain and reinterpret the existing structure. The renovation introduces a new spatial relationship between the house, the surrounding landscape and the water beyond.
The most distinctive addition is a timber pavilion that appears to float above the existing masonry structure. Its lightweight character creates a striking contrast with the heavier, more grounded original building. Old and new are therefore not treated as competing elements; instead, they become part of the same architectural story.
Timber plays an important role in softening the intervention and establishing a closer dialogue with the surrounding trees. The material brings warmth and tactility to the new spaces while allowing the extension to sit naturally within its bushland setting.
The renovation is also carefully oriented towards the qualities of the site. Natural light, views towards Port Hacking and the surrounding vegetation become integral elements of the interior experience. Rather than simply placing large windows into the walls, the design uses openings and spatial organisation to frame the landscape as part of everyday life.
Inside, the boundaries between architecture and nature become deliberately less rigid. Rooms are positioned to capture changing views, daylight and the atmosphere of the surrounding landscape. The result is a home that feels calmer, lighter and more connected to its environment.
What makes this project particularly compelling is that the extension does not attempt to dominate its surroundings. It respects the character of the original house while introducing a contemporary layer that responds to the landscape and the way people live today.
This is perhaps the deeper lesson of sensitive renovation: preserving a building does not necessarily mean keeping everything unchanged. It can mean recognising the qualities worth protecting, then carefully adding something new that allows those qualities to be experienced in a different way.
At Port Hacking, a house designed more than six decades ago has found a renewed relationship with its landscape. The architecture has changed—but its sense of belonging has become stronger.

Project: Port Hacking House
Design: Watershed Architects
Location: Port Hacking, Australia
Original House: 1965

16/08/2026

𝗡𝗶𝗿𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲: 𝗔 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗵𝘆𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘀

There are houses that simply occupy a landscape, and then there are houses that appear to have emerged from it. Nirvana House by unTAG belongs firmly to the latter.
Perched dramatically on a cliff at Aamby Valley in India, the 12,000-square-foot residence is surrounded by the Sahyadri hills, with Korigadh Fort overlooking Aamby Lake. Its architectural language is deeply rooted in this setting, particularly through the extensive use of basalt stone — allowing the house to feel almost geological, as though it has been gently unearthed from the terrain itself.
The name Nirvana means inner peace, and this idea becomes the central theme of the residence. Rather than revealing everything at once, the architecture creates a sense of anticipation. The entrance is deliberately mysterious, with two substantial curved basalt walls guiding visitors towards a sculptural doorway. Beyond this compressed threshold, the landscape suddenly unfolds — lake, mountains and sky becoming the most powerful visual element of the experience.
The house follows the natural contours of the site, cascading across three carefully considered realms: living, poolside and recreation. This measured arrangement allows the architecture to respond to the terrain rather than dominate it.
Inside, the living area is almost entirely wrapped in glass, creating a generous visual connection with the surrounding landscape. A long timber deck extends beyond the interior, offering shade from the southern sun while creating a tranquil setting for evenings overlooking the mountains and lake.
Beside the living space, a double-height study introduces another layer of spatial drama. Bare brick walls and warm timber flooring create a tactile contrast with the expansive views. A lightweight timber staircase descends towards the pool and doubles as a quiet library — an elegant example of architecture allowing one element to perform more than one role.
The bedrooms are arranged as a series of staggered stone volumes. Each of the four southern bedrooms enjoys its own private deck, with carefully framed views towards the lake. Stone portals create a sense of enclosure, while the interiors balance the raw character of natural materials with the comforts expected of a contemporary luxury home.
Materiality is perhaps the defining characteristic of Nirvana House. Basalt, shahbad, Kota stone, grey slate, green marble, Carnival Grey and black granite are brought together in a carefully curated composition. Internally, IPS, terrazzo, timber and stone create a palette that feels tactile, earthy and quietly luxurious.
Yet the project is not simply an exercise in material expression. Its environmental response is equally important. Verandahs, balconies and decks act as transitional spaces, providing shade and protection while allowing the interiors to remain naturally ventilated. Cross-ventilation and natural daylight help the house respond to the humid, rainy climate, while landscaped courts bring greenery deep into the composition.
A 20 kW photovoltaic system is discreetly positioned on the roof, supporting the home's aspiration towards greater self-sufficiency. Rather than treating sustainability as an added feature, the design integrates passive environmental strategies into the architecture itself.
Ultimately, Nirvana House is less about luxury in the conventional sense and more about luxury through experience — the luxury of silence, natural stone beneath one's feet, changing light across a wall, a lake appearing unexpectedly beyond a doorway, and the feeling of living within the landscape rather than merely looking at it.
It is architecture that does not simply frame nature.
It allows nature to become part of the home.

Project: Nirvana House
Architect: unTAG
Lead Architects: Tejesh Patil, Gauri Satam
Location: Aamby Valley City, India
Area: 12,000 sq ft
Year: 2026
Photography: Pranit Bora
Credit: unTAG, Pranit Bora

16/08/2026

𝗛𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲: 𝗔 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

In the lush countryside of Hue, Vietnam, Hachi Lily House by SILAA offers a thoughtful interpretation of the contemporary retreat — modest in scale, yet rich in its relationship with landscape, light and material.
Set within a pomelo garden beside a winding river, the 115-square-metre timber house was conceived as a private escape for a family returning from the noise and intensity of city life. Rather than imposing itself upon the garden, the house sits quietly within it, allowing the surrounding greenery, water and changing daylight to become an integral part of everyday life.
The principal living spaces — comprising the living room, dining area and kitchenette — open towards a veranda overlooking a water lily pond. A small timber bridge provides the entrance, creating a gentle transition between the garden and the interior.
Privacy is carefully balanced with openness. Two bedrooms and their adjoining bathrooms are wrapped by natural stone walls, forming intimate inner gardens for each room. Outdoor showers within these secluded gardens add another layer to the house's connection with nature, allowing everyday rituals to take place in an atmosphere of calm.
Above, a timber mezzanine functions as the family's library and storage area. Illuminated by a rooftop skylight, this small retreat becomes a particularly intimate place to read while looking out towards the pomelo trees below.
A generous sloping roof unifies the entire composition. Beyond its visual simplicity, it performs an important climatic role, providing shade from the intense summer sun while protecting the house from the heavy rains of the Vietnamese winter.
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of Hachi Lily House is its approach to materiality. Much of the furniture, structural frame and walls were crafted from reclaimed timber salvaged from demolished buildings. Stone, concrete, glass, terracotta, textiles, water and planting are then brought together in a restrained palette that feels both tactile and deeply connected to its setting.
The result is not an extravagant holiday home, but something arguably more meaningful: a small architecture designed around the pleasures of slowing down.
Hachi Lily House demonstrates how thoughtful planning, reclaimed materials and a strong connection to landscape can transform a compact residence into a genuinely restorative retreat.

Project: Hachi Lily House
Architect: SILAA
Lead Architect: Nguyen Huu Son Duong
Location: Hue, Vietnam
Area: 115 m²
Year: 2021
Photography: Hoang Le
Credit: SILAA, Hoang Le

12/08/2026

𝗡𝗮𝗶𝗮 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 | 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝘅𝗲

A tropical retreat where architecture dissolves the boundary between living and nature.
Set in the lush surroundings of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, Naia House by Studio Saxe is conceived as a bioclimatic home that embraces the tropical landscape rather than separating itself from it.
The house is organised beneath generous teak roof lines, creating shaded outdoor spaces that allow residents to experience the landscape throughout the day. A vertical, umbrella-like roof forms a central atrium, bringing natural light and fresh air deep into the home while offering protection from the tropical elements.
The architecture carefully separates private and communal spaces without losing their connection to the outdoors. During the day, the open living areas are naturally ventilated and illuminated, reducing the need for artificial cooling and lighting. At night, the more enclosed bedroom volumes provide privacy and comfort while maintaining cross-ventilation.
Sustainability is integrated into the architecture rather than treated as an additional feature. The expansive roofs collect rainwater for garden irrigation, whilst solar panels provide hot water. The result is a home that responds intelligently to its climate while maintaining a relaxed and refined tropical character.
More than simply a holiday house, Naia House is an invitation to live outdoors—to slow down, breathe and remain connected with the landscape.

Location: Santa Teresa Beach, Costa Rica
Project: Naia House
Architect: Studio Saxe
𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁: Studio Saxe, Andres Garcia Lachner, Paula Pintos

11/08/2026

𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲 | 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗮 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀

A thoughtful transformation of a much-loved coffee shop, where memory, simplicity and contemporary design come together.
Located in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand, Basic Space Coffee reimagines an established café without erasing the character that made it special. The existing building had a loyal following, yet its limited space could no longer accommodate the growing needs of its customers.
Rather than replacing the old with something entirely new, the architects chose a more sensitive approach: retain, adapt and renew.
The original exterior frames, roof trusses and materials were preserved as a reminder of the café's history, while the principal transformation took place within the interior. This balance between old and new gives the space a sense of continuity rather than a complete break from the past.
One of the project's most charming details is its collection of existing tables. These pieces, associated with the memories of generations of customers, were retained and incorporated into the new design. Wooden doors and windows echo the character of the cherished Kha-sing table sets, creating a warm and familiar atmosphere.
At the centre of the café, a large wooden table becomes a natural focal point, helping to connect the indoor and outdoor seating areas. The resulting space feels uncomplicated, welcoming and adaptable—true to the idea behind its name, Basic Space.
The project demonstrates that sustainable design does not always mean adding more. Sometimes, it means valuing what already exists, preserving memories and giving familiar materials a new life.
Basic Space Coffee is therefore more than a café renovation. It is an example of how architecture can respect the past while creating a flexible environment for the present—and leave room for the future to evolve naturally.

𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 line
Location: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand
Project: Basic Space Coffee
Architect: BodinChapa Architects
Architect: Rungkit Charoenwat
BodinChapa Architects, Rungkit Charoenwa

09/08/2026

𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗮𝘃 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮 | 𝗩𝗣𝗔 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀

A home where architecture, landscape and birds share the same habitat.
Located in Ahmedabad, India, Kalrav Villa—meaning the house of chirping birds—is thoughtfully nestled within a dense landscape of existing and newly planted trees. Rather than dominating its surroundings, the house adopts a restrained footprint and allows nature to remain an integral part of everyday living.
The east-facing façade takes the expressive form of a flying bird, combining expansive glass surfaces with exposed concrete and lime plaster to create a contemporary yet earthy architectural language.
Inside, the arrival sequence leads to two elevated seating spaces surrounded by water, creating the impression of floating islands. These spaces converge around a dramatic double-height courtyard, where landscape, natural light and circulation come together to blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors.
One of the most distinctive elements is the open prayer space. Rather than enclosing it within conventional walls, the design places it within the landscape, creating a quieter and more breathable setting for contemplation.
Local materials play a significant role throughout the house. Dhangadhara stone, Kota stone, local teak, lime plaster and pigmented lime plaster bring warmth and authenticity, while reducing reliance on conventional painted finishes. Timber ceilings soften the interiors, whilst carefully designed louvers help regulate natural light within the private spaces.
The extensive use of glass, landscaped courtyards, water bodies and shaded passages creates a strong visual and climatic connection with nature. With trees surrounding the residence throughout the year, the landscape becomes more than a backdrop—it becomes an active part of the home's environmental strategy.
Kalrav Villa demonstrates how a contemporary residence can feel both refined and deeply rooted in its place—where architecture quietly becomes part of the ecosystem rather than standing apart from it.

𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁:
Location: Ahmedabad, India
Project: Kalrav Villa
Architect: VPA Architects
VPA Architects, Ronak Patel, Jinal Patel, Naiya Patel, SMI Infrastructure, AMU Consultants, Photography © Indra Wiras

NOOK Magazine

06/10/2026

05/10/2026

03/09/2026

01/09/2026

17/08/2026

16/08/2026

16/08/2026

12/08/2026

11/08/2026

09/08/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request