The Retreat

Residential House for Workshop Inc

A weekend home situated on the outskirts of the city of Vadodara in India, The Retreat is envisioned as an escape from the chaos, noise and the fast-paced life of the city. It takes cues from the monolithic spatiality of vernacular Indian houses, and visualises it in a contemporary context. The walls are modulated to create surfaces to sit, sleep and store, creating a simple space that allows you to focus on the essentials. The Retreat offers cozy and inviting vibes, emphasises on the proximity to nature and focuses on the mental wellness of the user.

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The Retreat by Keta Shah amp Varun Shah

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Residential House by Keta Shah amp Varun Shah

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Keta Shah amp Varun Shah The Retreat

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Keta Shah amp Varun Shah Residential House

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The Retreat Residential House Press Releases

For The Retreat, we offer press releases in multiple languages, including: English.

The Retreat Residential House Media Articles

We provide articles ready for publication on The Retreat, offered in several languages: Turkish, Arabic (Standard), Indonesian, Korean, Japanese, Russian, Italian, German, Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish, Hindi, French, Chinese (Mandarin) and English.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Image Credits

Tejas Shah

Project Overview

The Retreat Residential House has been a Bronze winner in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design award category in the year 2019 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

Bronze Recognition

Keta Shah & Varun Shah was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2020, a testament to excellence of their work The Retreat Residential House.

Keta Shah & Varun Shah Press Releases

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The Retreat: A Contemporary Weekend Home Inspired by Vernacular Indian Houses

A Weekend Home Designed to Escape the Chaos of City Life

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