The Retreat Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Còmhnaidh by Keta Shah and Varun Shah

The Retreat Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Còmhnaidh by Keta Shah and Varun Shah is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 Duais Umha A' Design Award in Dealbhadh Àiteachan Taobh a-staigh agus Taisbeanaidh Competition Category.

UmhaTaobh a-staigh· 2020

The Retreat Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Còmhnaidh

by Keta Shah and Varun Shah

Client: Workshop Inc

Duais Umha A' Design Award Winner in Taobh a-staigh Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About The Retreat Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Còmhnaidh

Is e taigh deireadh-seachdaine a th' ann an The Retreat, suidhichte air iomall Vadodara anns na h-Innseachan. Tha an taobh a-staigh a' faighinn brosnachadh bho spàsalachd aon-chreagach thaighean dùthchasach Innseanach ann an co-theacsa co-aimsireil. Chaidh ballachan tiugh, giùlan-uallaich a shnaidheadh gu niathan agus an cumadh mar leapannan, bùird agus àiteachan-stòraidh, agus an uairsin an còmhdachadh le innich saimeant ghlas gus uachdar aon-nàdarra a chruthachadh. Tha tòna bog gorm is uaine, còmhla ri eileamaidean fiodha is meatailt, a' toirt sgeadachadh don spàs. Tha uinneagan gnàthaichte, ceangailte le aon luamhan, a' leigeil le gaoth-tarsainn agus a' frèamadh na h-achaidhean an taobh a-muigh. Tha an suidheachadh sìtheil a' cumail taic ri dòigh-beatha shìmplidh, shocair.

The Recognition

About the Duais Umha A' Design Award

Tha The Retreat Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Còmhnaidh air Duais Umha A' Design Award a bhuannachadh, aithneachadh gu math urramach a bheirear do dhealbhaidhean sònraichte a tha air an comharrachadh le cruthachalachd, innleachd agus geurchuis. Tha buannaichean Umha nan obraichean gu math sgileil agus gu sònraichte cruthachail a dhearbhas eòlas farsaing, mac-meanmna agus tapachd an luchd-dealbhaidh. Thathar an dùil gum bi The Retreat Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Còmhnaidh na nì air a bheil mòran meas, ion-mholta agus gràdhach, a tha gu sònraichte proifeiseanta agus ùr-ghnàthach. Tha an dealbhadh seo a bhuannaich Duais Umha A' Design Award a' cur nan cleachdaidhean as fheàrr ann an ealain, saidheans, dealbhadh agus teicneolas an gnìomh, agus tha e sàr-mhath airson an aire do mhion-fhiosrachadh. Bidh The Retreat Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Còmhnaidh a' sàsachadh fheumalachdan gu h-iongantach, a' suathadh ri miannan, a' tàladh faireachdainnean agus a' togail fiosrachd.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Retreat is a weekend home that takes cues from the monolithic spatiality of vernacular Indian houses, in a contemporary context. The monolithic shell creates surfaces to sit, sleep and incorporate other functions. The material palette plays with textures and soft colours to enliven a stark space, which focuses only on the essentials. It offers a homogenous space and a clutter-free environment that focuses on a simple, relaxed lifestyle and mental wellbeing.
Dimensions & Packaging: Built up Area: 205 sq mt.
Tags: residence interiors, indian interiors, indian residence, weekend home, home, house interior, farmhouse
Production Technology: The interiors are designed within an existing single-storied, load bearing structure with 18" thick walls. To create a homogenous environment, walls were carved in to create niches, and modulate the surfaces as beds, tables or storage, and enveloped with a cement texture. Repurposing an outdoor planter into the circular centre table and old brass glasses into light fixtures, the design delves into the uniquely Indian characteristic of "Jugaad" - non-conventional and frugal innovations that come about due to restrictions of cost and the availability of materials.
Design Challenge: Most of the furniture is custom-made or built at site to blend with the surfaces. The challenge was also to develop a simple system for the fenestration that allows for maximum openings at a minimum budget. The design of a series of window panes connected by a single lever that also functions as the handle, was an exercise in simple mechanics. This system is used throughout the house and allows for cross ventilation to keep the house cool in its hot and dry weather.
Research: Field Research
Objectives: To study the vernacular houses of the region to design a space that is rooted in the context
Methodology & Tools: Photographic and illustrative documentation during field visit. Analysis post visit.
Insights: Situated in a rural India, the mud houses respond to the hot & dry climatic conditions of the region. A single material, mud plaster, envelopes the floor and the walls to make the space cool, sustainable, and hygienic. Owing to economic limitations, furniture is bare minimum, and storage and ledges are created within the walls for various functions.
Inspiration: Located outside the city of Vadodara, The Retreat is envisioned as an escape from the chaos, noise and the fast-paced life of the city. Inspired from the vernacular mud houses found in the surrounding vicinity, a subdued natural material palette is used to create a cocoon to recharge yourself from the daily grind. The premise was to use local knowledge and create a liveable space using that keeps you grounded and as close to nature as possible.
Project Duration: The project is Located in Vadodara, India. The project duration was 10 months and was completed in March 2019.
Operation Flow: The weekend home consists of two bedrooms and a fluid living space that incorporates the living areas, dining, kitchen, bar and lots of free space to lounge. Custom designed fenestrations allow for maximum openings, and frame the greens outside. The vaulted ceiling defines the central bay of the house and visually leads to the outdoor space that overlooks the fields beyond.
A grey cement texture envelopes the entire space to create a homogenous environment, accented by soft blue and green tones, wood and metal elements.
Team Members: Architect: Keta Shah
Interior Designer: Varun Shah
Image Credits: Tejas Shah