Set within a landscaped estate on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, Interlude House is organized as a continuous system of built form and landscape, allowing the house to unfold through light, air, and vegetation.
The project takes its name from this condition—an interlude within the everyday.
The architecture is defined by subtraction rather than addition. Space is carved from an L-shaped volume to bring light, air, and landscape into the center of daily life.
Typologies
Residential
Status
Completed
Size
Site: 1,35,000 ft2
Built Up: 15,000 ft2
Location
Ahmedabad
Team
Dilip Revar, Vimal Patel, Neha Gupta, Riya Patel, Smit Mevada, Shruti Khandelwal, Tejas Goenka
Collaborators
Landscape: Greenmark Studio
Structure: Ashish Bhavsar
HVAC: Future Solutions
Plumbing: Aashir Engineering Pvt Ltd
Automation: Future Solutions
Fresh Air & Exhaust System: Vision HVAC Pvt Ltd
Vacuum System: Vision HVAC Pvt Ltd
Pool Consultant: Rainmake
Art Collaboration: ADIGAMI, Anek Taanka, CoolAnt, Vivaarta
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Visual Highlights
The plan originates as an L-shaped volume, opened along its edges to form a series of courts. These courts introduce light, ventilation, and vegetation deep into the house.
Spaces are organized as a sequence of rooms, verandahs, courts, and a pavilion, establishing a gradient of enclosure rather than a fixed boundary between interior and exterior.
A deep, shaded verandah forms the primary living edge. It connects interior spaces to the pool and garden, supporting varied patterns of occupation. Courts and a standalone brick pavilion extend this sequence outward into the landscape.
Level changes—upper and lower decks, and the placement of water between built and open surfaces—modulate light, temperature, and occupation across the day.
Organized on a single level, the home centers around courtyards and a shaded verandah facing the pool and garden—creating a seamless connection between indoor living and outdoor retreat.
Minimalist volumes open generously to the landscape through garden-facing glazing, as a linear verandah draws nature into the heart of the home.
Clad in natural granite, the interlocking volumes form a striking yet quiet entrance porch, where deep shadows and clean lines frame a dramatic threshold.
The design responds to the climate of western India, where heat, light, and airflow define how spaces are used.
Elements such as the otla and verandah are reinterpreted as climatic devices. Living spaces are oriented to the north and east to capture softer daylight while limiting heat gain. Deep overhangs provide shade without restricting openness.
In the pavilion, a terracotta wall combined with a water element enables evaporative cooling, reducing ambient temperatures in adjoining spaces.
Courtyards support cross-ventilation. They draw air through the house while maintaining visual continuity with the outdoors. Insulated walls and a ventilated roof cavity further limit heat gain, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling.
East-facing verandah captures soft morning light, transitioning into shade as the day progresses—creating a naturally cooled family gathering zone.
From the lower deck to verandah, courtyard to foyer, a sequence of layered thresholds blurs indoor-outdoor boundaries and enriches sensory experience.
At the garden’s edge, a standalone brick pavilion offers a serene retreat. Its simple form and timeless materiality blend gracefully into the landscape.
A standalone brick pavilion at the garden’s edge offers a versatile retreat, perfect for intimate dinners or lively gatherings.
The material palette is restrained—granite, exposed brick, terracotta, lime-based finishes, timber, and stone—selected for durability, thermal performance, and tactile quality.
These materials regulate heat, filter light, and weather over time. A continuous wooden ceiling unifies interior spaces and introduces warmth.
Custom artworks and installations, developed in collaboration with Ahmedabad-based artists, are integrated into the architecture, extending its material language through craft and local authorship.
Inside, local granite, marble, and timber create a warm, tactile atmosphere. A continuous wooden ceiling ties the spaces together, while discreet mechanical systems ensure effortless maintenance.
Every detail, from display shelves to soft textures, is designed to nurture presence and ease.
Environmental performance is addressed through passive design and integrated systems.
Photovoltaic panels are incorporated into the roof, generating approximately 20 kW and meeting a portion of the home’s energy demand. Rainwater is harvested and directed to on-site recharge systems, while a water-efficient irrigation network supports the landscape.
A concealed service layer maintains clear spatial volumes while allowing access for maintenance. Fresh-air filtration improves indoor air quality, and an integrated system monitors and manages energy use.
At the heart of Interlude House lies a shaded verandah overlooking a tranquil pool and garden—a space where morning light spills softly and evenings hum with quiet connection.
Interlude House is conceived as an environment shaped by light, air, and landscape rather than as an isolated object.
As the landscape matures, the boundaries between built and natural will continue to soften. The house gradually recedes into its surroundings, reinforcing its integration with site and climate.
At Unseen Architects, we believe that great architecture happens when great patrons support it. As Edwin Lutyens said, “There will never be great architects or great architecture without great patrons.” Your trust and vision help us turn bold ideas into reality. We’re always looking for clients who appreciate our work and want to make a difference—no matter the size or type of project. Together, we can create meaningful spaces that transform the built environment.
Let’s bring it to life together! Contact us for a project inquiry Today.
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