Modern or traditional, an age-old dialogue, one that resists resolution yet sparks endless inspiration. Designers across the globe find themselves navigating this delicate balance: Should one honour the quiet beauty of heritage, or lean into the excitement of innovation? In this interplay lies the real magic of contemporary design, where the past and future are invited to coexist.
Project Name: The Art of Living
Studio Name: Workshop Inc
Location: Ahmedabad
Area (in sqft): 5,500 sq ft
Principal Designer/s: Varun Shah and Keta Shah
Photographer: Ishita Sitwala
Principal architects Keta Shah and Varun Shah of Workshop Inc. embraced the challenge with quiet confidence, weaving tradition and modernity into a cohesive design narrative. Set amidst the lush green outskirts of Ahmedabad, the 5,500 sq ft residence strikes a delicate balance: global in its design language, yet unmistakably rooted in Indian sensibilities. It’s a home where the past and present converse fluidly, without either overpowering the other.
Patrons of Art and Creative Heritage
Every corner tells a story, curated with an eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the arts. Stepping through the main door, two striking Thota Vaikuntam serigraphs welcome the visitor, setting the tone for what lies ahead. Just off the entrance, the first room to the left features a bold, large serigraph by Jagdeep Smart.
Together, the artworks form a quiet, yet evocative narrative, one that reflects the Parikh family’s roots and reverence for their cultural lineage. In the family room, a pair of textile pieces by Morii pay homage to India’s storied fabric traditions, while traditional Pichwai paintings adorn the guest suite. Along the passage, a striking series of red-hued works by Srijan Jha brightens the passage. Surpassing decoration, the narrative imbued by the art in the home becomes a living dialogue, an ode to India’s enduring craftsmanship and the layered richness of its heritage.
Dialogue in Ornament / Language of Lines
Keta and Varun Shah pay contemporary homage to traditional Indian ornamentation by utilising motifs and embellishments as an integral element of the visual language. Here, the geometry isn’t decorative alone; it’s intentional, drawing from the forms found in Indian crafts and reinterpreting them in modern expression. This integration allows the art to resonate more deeply with the architecture, inviting the home’s inhabitants to engage with it not just visually, but tangibly, making the experience of living amidst art both intimate and immersive.
Made of Materials
A restrained, monochromatic palette anchored in natural stone and layered textures wraps the home in quiet elegance. Warmth is thoughtfully introduced through the use of wood, which softens the materiality and adds depth across spaces. The living areas flow seamlessly into one another, unified by a consistent and refined material palette. Grey Italian marble flooring stretches across the home, punctuated with delicate brass inlay that adds subtle sophistication. The exterior, clad in Grey Indian granite, finds its echo indoors, blurring the boundary between outside and in, and creating a cohesive spatial narrative. A dramatic double-height volume is grounded with black marble flooring, adding contrast and a sense of gravity to the soaring scale.
“The most enjoyable part of this project was crafting the two tables on site: one inlay in wood (inspired from Raza’s artworks), and other stone (black and white dining table with geometric stone inlays),” recalls Keta Shah. The hands-on approach of working with local carpenters and manufacturers reflects Workshop Inc.’s core philosophy: a deep respect for natural materials that age gracefully, and a commitment to celebrating Indian craftsmanship at every level. The home isn’t just aesthetically rooted in these values—it’s designed to adapt. Each space is thoughtfully conceived to be fluid and flexible, evolving effortlessly alongside the changing rhythms of the Parikh family’s life.
