K2 / NANDI HILL RESIDENCE

The villa in Ahmedabad, designed by Khushnu Panthaki and Sönke Hoof, is an exploration of space, memory, and subtlety. As Sönke explains, “A facade is not about the image, it’s about the volume,” with the design inward-focused rather than emphasizing a front lawn. The house incorporates elements reminiscent of traditional homes, with internal courtyards and gardens integrated at various levels, creating a dynamic relationship between interior and exterior. The oak wood jaali ensures privacy, cutting off direct sightlines into the home and “From outside, you can never tell if someone is home!” says Sönke.

Throughout the day, light filters into the home in different ways, transforming the space at various points—creating a microclimate within. This interplay of light and greenery evokes the feeling of being both inside and outside, blurring the lines between the two. The house reinterprets the traditional courtyard house form for today’s living, with a focus on natural elements and an ever-changing atmosphere.

Memories of the old house are preserved through design markers, connecting the new with the past. The bi-coloured stone facade shifts as the lintel height changes, subtly reflecting the internal space. Light becomes a dramatic companion, transforming with the seasons. In the end, as Sönke reflects, “You can never plan everything; architecture, like nature, is full of surprises.” 

With excerpts from text by Namrata Deewanjee

Team : Sönke Hoof, Khushnu Panthaki Hoof, Antorip Chaudhary, Akshat Patel, Devika Sharma, Jerrin Panackel