Satyajit Gaekwad’s family is the direct descendants of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad of Baroda City. They have always lived regally in palatial household. Their present house too is over a 100 years old; a mansion (manor) built-in British colonial style. The client’s specifically were for an architecture vocabulary that reflects their culture and does justice to their up- bringing. The farmhouse thus was conceptualized keeping the key features of Maratha culture and blending it with a bit of colonial architectural vocabulary.
This 17 acres of land has the main Narmada canal flowing in the close vicinity while the Northern periphery has a part of Vindhyanchal Range. This site is located in Vedpur village of Waghodia district. A pond is carved out at the foothills of the hills wherein the run-off water is harvested and conserved. As one approaches the site, they are greeted with pomegranate orchards on either side the road, further along there is scattered farming of varied fruits and vegetables. The driveway then takes you to the farmhouse, tucked away amidst the natural surrounding
As per the topography of the site, the house was raised by 8’ with a minimum of cut and fills without completely altering the existing site conditions. A peripheral shrubbery of bougainvilleas is planted to blanket the raised height. Also, a second layer of flowering trees are planted which would eventually overgrow the house and will help it to blend in with the landscape.
By studying few old structures built in the 19th century, we identified a few Key elements that resembled Indo-saracenic style which is a blend of colonial, Mughal and Maratha which we could use in the present day scenario. Simple columns, sloping roofs with eaves board embellishment, Galicha Mosaic flooring are the few elements that are predominantly used in the design of the “MARATHA ABODE”
This Linear farmhouse of 4000 sq.ft has a central gathering space which is 18 feet high giving a palatial volume to the living room. The house then opens up into a 100ft. long verandah accessible from all rooms that overlooks the hills. The verandah has a huge spill over lawn in the backyard, perfect for informal and formal gatherings.
The TEAL door at the entrance complements the warm neutral colour scheme used in the interior spaces. Interior elements like; the door infused with Aluminium Jali has distinctive patterns; Galicha mosaic flooring with a border of Yellow Jaisalmer Stone giving it a traditional touch. The terracotta shade used in the rear verandah sets one in a relaxing mood for alfresco dining.
