Modern Courtyard House by MODO Designs: Contemporary Haveli with Open Courts in Rancharda

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Modern contemporary house with neat architectural design and large glass windows, surrounded by lush greenery and landscaped gardens, showcasing minimalist zones and outdoor relaxation.

Located on a 45,000 square foot plot on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, the Courtyard House by MODO Designs reinterprets the temporary haveli typology with a modern, extroverted spirit. Designed for a family valuing openness, natural light, and semi-enclosed outdoor relaxation, this house combines traditional inspiration with contemporary minimalism.

Site and Client Vision

The client's brief called for a four-bedroom house with an office, entertainment zones, and spacious living areas. However, unlike typical residential layouts, the owners - primarily father and son - demanded an open and transparent home that blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces.

This requirement led to a layout centered around a sequence of courtyards: entrance courtyard, central courtyard, dining courtyard, shower courtyard, and pool. Each courtyard invites air, greenery, and light deep into the house, ensuring constant interaction with natural elements.

Layout and Spatial Organization

First Floor: The central courtyard serves as the anchor point, interpreting the traditional Ahmedabad haveli but presented with a modern accent. This level includes living room, office, kitchen, dining area, owner's bedroom, guest room, and father's bedroom - all interconnected through open courtyards.
Second Floor: A light mass contains the entertainment zone and daughter's bedroom, designed for periodic visits. Terraces with views of the garden expand outdoor communal spaces, offering comfortable spots for relaxation and enjoying breezes and sunsets.

The house form is stacked and permeable, allowing for visibility. Courtyards and verandas break the sense of isolation, making this house an extroverted, open residential system.

Courtyards as Life Elements

Courtyards are not decorative - they are functional light elements of the house.

The central courtyard and pool feature removable roofs, allowing flexible seasonal use.
Peripheral courtyards are well planted, cooling interiors and creating tranquil views.
The pool creates a resort atmosphere, connecting leisure with the landscape.

This organization not only enhances natural airflow and daylight but also brings changing game of light and reflections throughout the day.

Materials and Atmosphere

MODO Designs selected a warm, tactile palette that balances rustic character with modern elegance:

Floors: Coarse black Marquina marble in most spaces; lavastone in the central courtyard.
Walls: Rough concrete wood grain, lime, and wooden cladding for depth and texture.
Wood: Reclaimed wood is used throughout furniture, cladding and finishes - an environmentally conscious choice that also adds patina.
Furniture: A hybrid collection of Western modern pieces and indigenous Indian designs, bringing both global sensitivity and local craftsmanship to interiors.

The result is an atmosphere that is dark, cozy and mystical, complementing the open courtyards and lush greenery.

Lifestyle and Living Experience

The Courtyard House is designed for smooth transitions between interior and exterior spaces.

Residential zones open onto verandas and courtyards, not corridors.
Bedrooms maintain privacy but offer views of the garden.
Entertainment zones on the second floor directly connect to terraces, allowing for outdoor gatherings under open skies.

The house becomes a living system, adapting to seasons with moveable roofs, cross-ventilation, and shaded relaxation areas.

Architectural Significance

The Courtyard House by MODO Designs demonstrates:

Modern interpretation of tradition - inspired by haveli but extroverted rather than introverted.
Sustainable luxury - reclaimed wood, movable roofs, and passive cooling strategies reduce environmental impact.
Spatial poetry - courtyards serve as social anchors, while verandas and terraces expand life into the landscape.

It represents a benchmark of contemporary Indian residential architecture, bridging cultural heritage with modern lifestyle.

Photo © Umang Shah Courtyard House by MODO Designs: Modern Haveli with Open Courtyards in Rancharda