A remarkable residential project has emerged in Agol, India, demonstrating how contemporary architecture can harmoniously blend with traditional building practices. The Shilamay House, completed in 2025, represents a collaborative effort between SferaBlu Architects and Naman Shah Architects, creating a 550-square-meter home that serves as both a family residence and an architectural experiment in sustainable design.
Designed and inhabited by the architect and his family, this intimate dwelling sits within the warm landscape of Ahmedabad, showcasing how modern homes can remain deeply connected to their environmental context while embracing joyful living. The project stands as a testament to the power of locally-sourced materials and time-tested construction techniques in creating spaces that respond naturally to harsh climatic conditions.
The architectural team was led by Naman Shah, with Rahul Patil heading the lead team and Shubhi Chawda managing the design aspects. The technical implementation was overseen by Fenny Patel and Devika Solanki, while landscape architecture was handled by Dipen Kharidia. Project management was entrusted to MCMS under Tilak Riswadkar's supervision, with structural engineering by Innovative Designs' Rutvik Dave and MEP consulting by Aqua Utility Designs and Management Pvt. Ltd.
The house's most distinctive feature lies in its construction methodology, which draws extensively from vernacular wisdom to combat the region's challenging summer temperatures. Built primarily with locally-sourced stone, the structure demonstrates how traditional materials can be employed in contemporary design without compromising on modern living standards. The stone surfaces, used both internally and externally, create a dynamic interplay with natural light throughout the day.
A traditional lime plaster finish covers the stone walls, lending a soft, breathing quality to the surfaces that allows the building to age gracefully over time. This finish not only contributes to the home's thermal performance but also creates an ever-changing canvas that holds traces of sunlight, shadow, and the passage of time. As daylight moves across these surfaces, every stone tells a unique story through its changing texture and appearance.
The design philosophy extends beyond mere aesthetic considerations to embrace practical sustainability measures. The lime finish serves a dual purpose, providing both visual appeal and functional benefits in terms of thermal regulation. This approach reflects a deep understanding of how traditional building techniques can be adapted to meet contemporary needs while maintaining their essential environmental benefits.
Photographer Vinay Panjwani has captured the essence of this architectural achievement, documenting how the interplay between natural materials and light creates a living, breathing environment. The images reveal how the house transforms throughout the day, with shadows and sunlight painting different stories on its stone surfaces.
The project incorporates various high-quality fixtures and finishes from renowned manufacturers, including Duravit, Asian Paints, Beautex, Jaquar, Kesarjan, Neptune House, Neptune Lights, Prato by Greenhouse, and TOSHIBA, ensuring that modern comfort standards are maintained alongside traditional construction methods.
This residence demonstrates that contemporary architecture need not abandon traditional wisdom in favor of modern techniques. Instead, the Shilamay House proves that the most successful architectural solutions often emerge from a thoughtful synthesis of old and new approaches, creating spaces that are both environmentally responsible and deeply satisfying to inhabit. The project serves as an inspiring example for future residential developments seeking to balance modernity with environmental consciousness and cultural authenticity.
