VPA Architects: ‘Tamara villa’ is a weekend home designed for a family of four on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. The project exemplifies an idiosyncratic oeuvre that ranges from architecture to landscape.
Tamara translates to ‘a blooming lotus flower’. It signifies purity, enlightenment and self-regeneration. Keeping this in mind, though it was a family house, we made sure that each individual should get their own personal niche within. The plot size is 65,900sq.ft., while the construction is only of 6250sq.ft. This ratio of the built-unbuilt, gave us an opportunity to explore landscape as a medium to enhance the charm and beauty of the project. The villa has a touch of tropical experience, to ideate as place for rejuvenation and relaxation. The idea was to feel connected to outdoors and create a living within a garden typology.
image © Inclined Studio
The villa has two separate entries; public and private. A grand ceremonial entry leading to the beautiful green lawn directly. Customised lanterns with effects of the mist ; the magical combination of fire and water element, create a wonderful ambience and gesture on arrival. The private entry to the house is inspired by a Balinese house with traditionally crafted wooden door and a row of palm trees. It opens into a courtyard with a waterbody and a landscaped garden on either sides. The entry leads to a multipurpose room on the right, which is more public in nature, and then to drawing +living area i.e. the heart of the house, onto the left. This space opens up on both sides to a mesmerising garden views. Semi covered verandah are provided on either ends of the drawing+ living room, that work as a transitional space between inside and outside.
It almost doubles up as a functional space for large family gatherings. Further ahead we have kitchen+ dining in a open floor layout which extends into a beautiful courtyard space. The dining table has been customised using a solid wood, cut into a unique horse shape for the base. The bedrooms have been purposefully placed at a distance from each other ,to ensure individual’s privacy. Each bedroom has its own uniqueness too. Every room opens up into an outdoor space, like for example, themaster bedroom has a private garden, son’s bedroom opens up towards the soothing spa and extended garden and the daughter's bedroom has an internal courtyard. Even the bathrooms have been not neglected; each one has a private courtyard to enhance the epitome of luxury.
image © Inclined Studio
The symbol,’tamara’ has been used in repetition at various parts of the house, in unique ways like in the entrance waterbody, screen motifs, furniture pieces, flooring, etc, to have a sense of continuity throughout the house. The flooring has been done using kota and steel grey stone with interesting patterns to add the muse. Tropical bright colours along with earthy, rustic tones of browns and greys, both in interior and exterior, add onto the tropical character of the house. The entire house has flat roof except, the living+drawing room, which has a traditional sloping roof, signifying the importance of the space to stand out as a unique element in the roof-scape of the house.
Landscape has been designed such that it gives a sense of seamless connection between the greenery and interior spaces all around the site. A congregation lawn, with a view of swimming pool rimmed with an infinity edge, stands solemnly central. An outdoor juice bar beside deck serves as a perfect venue for hosting gatherings. Lily pond with a simple graphical lawn marks the edge to the private area of the house. Beyond this, beautiful tropical planting with lawn has been done to experience the wilderness throughout the day.
