Located on agricultural land in Ahmedabad, the project responds directly to the site's climatic and ecological characteristics. The flat terrain experiences intense summer temperatures and periodic seasonal flooding caused by runoff from surrounding lands. During the initial site visits, existing neem trees provided the only effective shelter from the heat. Rather than treating these trees as obstacles to development, the design incorporates them as fundamental environmental infrastructure.

Designed by WALLMAKERS for clients working in the fashion industry, the residence was conceived as a sequence of spaces for reflection, creativity, and daily living. The design strategy combines the cooling capacity of mature vegetation with passive environmental principles derived from traditional Indian stepwells, creating a building that engages with local climatic conditions rather than relying primarily on mechanical systems.

Preserving existing ecological assets

The retention of the site's mature neem trees forms a central component of the environmental strategy. These trees provide shade, reduce surrounding surface temperatures, and contribute to microclimatic cooling around the building. Their established root systems also help stabilize soil conditions in a landscape regularly affected by seasonal flooding.

Preserving mature trees avoids the environmental impacts associated with site clearing while maintaining existing ecological relationships. The trees continue to provide carbon sequestration benefits and support biodiversity while contributing directly to occupant comfort through natural shading.

Materials

The use of vaulted earth construction allows structural and environmental functions to be integrated into a single architectural system. Rather than relying on separate structural frames, suspended ceilings, and additional finishes, the vaulted forms combine these functions within the primary construction material.

This integration reduces material complexity and contributes to a more direct relationship between structure, enclosure, and environmental performance. The resulting architecture uses material resources efficiently while expressing the construction method itself.

Stepwell-inspired passive cooling

The architectural concept draws inspiration from historic stepwells, which traditionally moderated temperatures through a combination of thermal mass, shading, and controlled air movement. These principles are adapted into the residence to reduce heat gain and improve thermal comfort.

By integrating passive cooling strategies into the building form, the project reduces dependence on active cooling systems. The combination of shaded outdoor areas, earth-based construction, and thermal mass helps moderate indoor temperatures throughout Ahmedabad's hot climate.

Rather than creating a sealed environment dependent on mechanical conditioning, the design uses architectural form and materiality to improve comfort through passive means.

Construction and structure

The three-storey building is constructed using Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB), which form both the walls and a series of geometric vaulted structures. The material choice significantly influences both environmental performance and architectural expression.

CSEB construction generally requires substantially less energy than conventional fired brick production because the blocks are compressed rather than kiln-fired. When manufactured from locally available soils, transportation requirements and associated emissions can also be reduced.

The material's thermal mass contributes to stable internal temperatures by slowing heat transfer through the building envelope. During hot periods, the walls absorb and store heat, reducing indoor temperature fluctuations and lowering cooling demand.

The geometric vaults demonstrate how earth construction can serve simultaneously as structure, enclosure, and architectural finish, reducing the need for additional material layers.

Designing for climate resilience

The project acknowledges the site's recurring flooding conditions rather than attempting to erase them through extensive land modification. The design strategy begins with understanding the resilience already present in the landscape, particularly the survival of the neem trees despite repeated seasonal inundation.

This approach minimizes disruption to existing site conditions and allows the building to coexist with natural water cycles. By preserving vegetation and reducing dependence on heavily engineered site interventions, the project maintains a closer relationship with the existing landscape.

Spatial diversity and occupant  wellbeing

The clients requested a variety of inspirational environments to support creative work and everyday life. The resulting architecture incorporates multiple spatial conditions shaped by light, shade, vegetation, and earth construction. These spaces provide environmental diversity throughout the day while strengthening connections between interior spaces and the surrounding landscape.