Architects: Studio Prakriya

Area: 5000 ft²

Year: 2024

Photographs:Pranit Bora, Manthan Yadav

Manufacturers:  Tata Steel

Lead Architects: Pratik Devi

Landscape Architecture: Studio 23N|72E

Design Team: Pratik Devi, Swanand Kulkarni, Karan Ahire, Vedant Kadam, Isha Pattewar

Technical Team: Narendra Pansare, Tejas Joshi

Landscape Architects: Dhara and Nishant Mittal

Structural Engineer: Vijay Devi

City: Satara

Country: India

Wada houses, traditional to Maharashtra, India, are known for their robust construction and inward-facing design centred around a courtyard, fostering social interaction and climate protection. Adapting this classic design for a modern residence involved retaining the Wada’s essence while addressing contemporary needs. The client’s connection to his ancestral Wada, which was demolished, added emotional depth to the design process. It was crucial to evoke nostalgia and honour his heritage.

The house features a substantial façade of exposed brick, providing visual continuity with traditional Wadas and utilizing locally sourced materials. This choice offers thermal mass for regulating internal temperatures. The exterior’s fortress-like appearance contrasts with the openness of the interior, characteristic of modern design. Entering through a narrow alley, visitors experience an intimate transition from the outside. Inside, open spaces with large glass walls and folding doors connect the indoors to the lake. The central courtyard serves as a focal point, allowing natural light to flood the home and enhancing the connection to nature. The design carefully considers human scale, ensuring functional and comfortable spaces. Elements like doorways and ceiling heights create intimacy, reflecting the human-centric approach of traditional Wada architecture.

The design thoughtfully integrates the house with its lakeside setting. Large windows and terraces offer unobstructed views, creating a dialogue between indoor and outdoor spaces. The robust exposed brick is paired with light, reflective interiors to maximize natural light and lake views. A small swimming pool at the lake’s edge adds modern luxury while maintaining harmony with the environment, offering a relaxing space for family enjoyment.

Incorporating modern sustainability practices while honoring traditional roots, the house features a rainwater collection system for efficient water management. Natural ventilation and passive cooling are enhanced by advanced insulation and smart climate control systems.

This modern lakeside house transcends mere residential structure; it reinterprets traditional Wada architecture, blending historical reverence with contemporary innovation. The exposed brick, central courtyard, and landscaped courts reflect a balance between past and present. By integrating natural elements with sustainable practices, the house pays homage to its roots while addressing modern living demands, serving as a heartfelt tribute to the client’s cherished ancestral Wada memories.