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Architecture

23-06-2026

Photographer : Ishita Sitwala / The Fishy Project

Text provided by the Architect

Located in the harsh, arid landscape of Ahmedabad, The Louvered House by andblack design studio is a programmatic response to the challenges of climate and the increasing isolation of contemporary domestic life. The project reimagines the traditional relationship between the built form and the natural environment, prioritizing a lifestyle that is physically and visually tethered to the outdoors.

“The goal was to ensure a seamless interaction between indoor and outdoor spaces, making the house feel like an extension of its natural surroundings,” says Jwalant of how this bungalow in Ahmedabad came to be.

They are outgoing and warm—the kind of people who love to entertain and host—yet they also value moments of solitude for personal passions like reading or quiet reflection,” shares Kanika.

Situated on an elongated plot oriented along the east-west axis, this residence in Ahmedabad is thoughtfully designed to respond to the region's hot and arid climate. The linear form strategically minimizes heat gain on the west facade, while the south facade is predominantly walled, housing service areas such as staircases and washrooms. This functional zoning creates an effective thermal buffer, enhancing the building’s environmental performance.

As Kanika explains, “The functional zoning creates an effective thermal buffer, enhancing the building’s environmental performance.”

“One of the main challenges was designing for a narrow, linear plot aligned east to west, maximising natural light and ventilation while minimising heat gain,” says Jwalant. “At the same time, the homeowners wanted a space that could host small gatherings yet still offer private corners for solitude. Balancing openness with seclusion called for a carefully considered layout.”

ahmedabad,gujarat,india

Architects	:	Andblack Design Studio
Area	:	7155 sq. ft.
Year of Completion	:	2025
Website	:	https://www.instagram.com/andblackstudio/

Elevation from the garden of The Louvered House by Andblack Design Studio

Exterior view of The Louvered House by Andblack Design Studio

View from Garden of The Louvered House by Andblack Design Studio

The ‘L’-shaped configuration liberates the northern quadrant, which is developed as a garden. This open space remains shaded for most of the day, establishing a cool microclimate that acts as the focal point for the home. All public areas including the living and dining spaces are oriented toward this green expanse, utilizing the northern orientation for consistent, glare-free light and natural cooling.

“It’s a space that draws people together,” Kanika says of the dining area, outfitted with bespoke furniture.

Balconies and terraces are positioned specifically to frame views of existing mature trees, allowing the landscape to "flow" into the upper-level private sanctuaries. This integration ensures that even the most private areas of the house maintain a sensory connection to the greenery and the breeze.

Entrance of The Louvered House by Andblack Design Studio

Main entrance of The Louvered House by Andblack Design Studio

Entrance Porch of The Louvered House by Andblack Design Studio

Foyer & Pooja Mandir of The Louvered House by Andblack Design Studio

Living room of The Louvered House by Andblack Design Studio

Passage opening into the garden with full height louvres of The Louvered House by Andblack Design Studio

The material palette is a celebration of raw, earthy textures that resonate with the local landscape. The primary structure of exposed concrete and brick provides the necessary thermal mass while lending the house a robust, authentic character. This "honesty" in materials carries into the interiors, where the structural finishes are left exposed to minimize the need for additional surface cladding.

“We made a deliberate choice to let textures speak louder than ornamentation,” Jwalant maintains—which explains why the walls, dominated by brick and concrete, are largely untreated, absent of any paint or panelling.

To balance the raw exterior, the interior is softened through the strategic use of wood and stone. Full-height wooden door and large louvered pivot doors serve as a breathable skin along the main corridors. When closed, the louvers filter light and facilitate cross-ventilation; when open, they physically merge the interior with the garden.

View toward living room showing passage with parametric flooring pattern in passage of The Louvered House by Andblack Design Studio

Dining of The Louvered House by Andblack Design Studio

Dining & Staircase of The Louvered House by Andblack Design Studio

Stairway with skylight of The Louvered House by Andblack Design Studio

Family lounge of The Louvered House by Andblack Design Studio

First floor courtyard of The Louvered House by Andblack Design Studio

Large louvered pivot doors line the corridor, inviting light and ventilation even when shut— and even more so when open. “They’re not just architectural elements, but dynamic tools for climate

responsiveness, privacy, and spatial fluidity,” says Jwalant.

The flooring continues the gray tones of the concrete using Kota stone. This is contrasted by vibrant Jaisalmer stone, arranged in a parametric pattern to add a contemporary rhythmic interest to the traditional material.

Touches of brass at the entrance provide a subtle elegance, complementing the ochre accents of the stone and the warmth of the brickwork.

Gleaming brass details highlight the pooja room situated beside the entrance. “It’s a spatial pause—calm, grounded, and intentional—before entering the more open volumes of the home,” says Kanika of the collective space.

Master Bedroom of The Louvered House by Andblack Design Studio

Guest Bedroom of The Louvered House by Andblack Design Studio

Earthy yet elegant, the guest bedroom is an exercise in tactful restraint. “The bedrooms are personal sanctuaries—warm, quiet, and inward-looking, with views or gardens that offer moments of stillness and a gentle connection to nature,” says Kanika.

Challenging contemporary tendencies towards compartmentalized living influenced by individualistic lifestyles and air-conditioning, this design fosters fluid spatial experiences. Spaces are deliberately interconnected, promoting a sense of openness and continuity.

“We wanted to break away from boxed-in, air-conditioned living and create a space that breathes—open, fluid, and connected to nature. It’s about letting in light, wind, and life, and redefining what comfort means in a hot, dry climate,” notes Jwalant.

Study room of The Louvered House by Andblack Design Studio

By prioritizing natural light, ventilation, and fluid spatial connections, this project redefines contemporary living in a hot, arid climate. It challenges conventional boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces while celebrating the inherent beauty of natural materials. Thoughtfully crafted, The Louvered House stands as an embodiment of a lifestyle that is in harmony with nature, reflecting an ethos of simplicity, openness, and authenticity.

As Kanika puts it, “Allowing nature to flow into the living spaces goes far beyond aesthetics. This careful integration of landscape and architecture enhances passive cooling while blurring the boundaries between inside and outside."