When tapped to design a private residence in Ahmedabad, India, SPASM Design was inspired by the Dhrangadhra stone found in nearby quarries, which had been used to build many of the ancient buildings in the region. “The cellular structure of this sandstone holds intermittent microscopic air gaps, acting as an insulation panel itself,” says the firm. “This led to the idea of cladding the entire body of the house as a monolith.”

From there, they designed the 14,000-square-foot house in the shape of a cross, then surrounded it with several gardens to aid in ventilation and foster a seamless, indoor/outdoor feel, which led to the project’s name: the House of Secret Gardens.

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Project Credits:

Architecture: SPASM Design (@spasmdesignarchitects)

Builder: Mahir Builtcon

Structural Engineer: Ducon Consultants Pvt. Ltd

Landscape Design: Kunal Maniar & Associates

Interior Design: SPASM Design

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Lush Gardens Soften This Rugged Stone Residence in India