project # 10

TITLE: SHIHOR FARM HOUSE
ARCHITECT: LEO PEREIRA
LOCATION: SHIHOR, BHAVNAGAR DIST, GUJARAT

This weeks post highlights a project done by Ahmedabad based architect Leo Pereira: a farm house at Shihor, Bhavnagar District, Gujarat. The plot, which measures around 32,675 sq m, has been divided in two parts by strategic location of the house that sits almost in middle of the plot. This division of the plot makes rear part available for dense vegetation; while the front portion takes care of approach from the main road and landscaping. The house is made up of two levels; the ground floor that can be accessed with a wooden bridge over the water body, and the first floor that has a delayed approach through ramp. Ground floor mainly comprises of two bedrooms with a verandah space between them that also acts as arrival space. This floor of the house has a very inward looking character as opposed to the first floor which is almost treated as a pavilion in the landscape. It is also characterized by wooden louvers that allow light-ventilation in the space at the same time maintain the privacy of the ground floor.

The house has a bar-like plan with a single bay that is 12 feet wide. This bay comprises of 14 inch thick parallel masonry walls that act as load bearing elements. To this bay a ramp has been added on one side leading to a terrace with built in seats and a tree. This terrace and the verandah are the two key spaces that establish the pavilion like nature of first floor. The verandah space is also connected to ground floor with the help of an internal staircase. Master bedroom, meditation space and pantry are the other main functions on the first floor.

approach....................................................terrace.........................


verandah & bedroom on first floor...................................................


arrival space on ground floor...........................................................


view from north...............................................................................

The overall built form of the house stands out in the landscape with clearly defined forms, and within this form roof turns out to be the most prominent feature. The house employs the idea of double roof where the outer layer comprises of sloping roof. This sloping roof defines the overall form of the house, and under which volumetric play happens because the main spaces like bedroom have their own flat RCC roofs. Plastered and painted walls, IPS flooring, exposed concrete and wood for doors-windows are the few dominant materials in the palette.


photographs courtesy: All photographs have been taken by Mr. Dinesh Mehta