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Residential House "The Retreat" by Keta Shah & Varun Shah

Located outside Vadodara, The Retreat is a weekend home designed by Keta Shah & Varun Shah, offering an escape from the fast-paced city life. Inspired by vernacular mud houses, the design focuses on creating a cocoon using a natural material palette to recharge amidst nature. The project was completed in March 2019.

The Retreat, with a built-up area of 205 sq mt, takes cues from monolithic spatiality of vernacular Indian houses, offering a clutter-free environment that focuses on a simple, relaxed lifestyle and mental wellbeing. The interiors are designed within an existing single-storied, load-bearing structure with 18" thick walls, utilizing local knowledge to create a liveable space.

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. The weekend home consists of two bedrooms and a fluid living space that incorporates living areas, dining, kitchen, bar, and ample free space to lounge.

Workshop Inc, headed by Keta Shah and Varun Shah, is a young design practice operating within the fields of architecture, interior design, and exhibition design. The firm strives to create meaningful work, where experiential narratives, fresh ideas, and relevance to the context become driving factors of the design.

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