A 12,000 sq ft contemporary estate where Rajasthani architectural traditions—jali screens, courtyards, carved stone—meet minimalist spatial planning.
The clients—third-generation Jaipur industrialists whose family had built traditional havelis in the walled city—approached us with paradoxical brief. They wanted home that would feel distinctly Rajasthani, rooted in place and tradition, yet thoroughly contemporary.
Their brief rejected standard typology—pastiche with decorative elements. They'd lived globally (Singapore, London, New York) and wanted contemporary architecture that responded to climate while respecting local building traditions.
The estate's organization follows traditional Rajasthani planning: multiple courtyards at different scales creating hierarchy from public to private. The main courtyard—40 by 40 feet—serves as the estate's social heart.
Material choices honor regional traditions through honest use rather than applied decoration. Local Dholpur sandstone—the same beige stone used in Jaipur's historic buildings—forms all exterior walls.
The main courtyard contains reflecting pool that serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. The water—fed by rainwater harvesting system—provides evaporative cooling.
"We wanted our children to grow up in house that honored our heritage—but we didn't want museum. This feels alive, rooted in Rajasthan's traditions yet completely of our time."— Anjali & Rajat Singhal, Homeowners
Local quarries, traditional masonry
All exterior walls employ Dholpur sandstone—cream-colored stone quarried 60 kilometers from Jaipur. The stone was hand-selected at quarries, cut to precise dimensions using wire saws, then laid by traditional masons using lime mortar.
Historic quarries, contemporary detailing
Interior flooring employs Makrana marble from the same Rajasthan quarries that supplied stone for Taj Mahal. We personally selected slabs at the quarry, examining veining patterns and color consistency.
Jaisalmer stone carvers, contemporary geometry
The jali screens represent synthesis of traditional craft and contemporary technology. We worked with stone carvers in Jaisalmer to develop patterns abstracting traditional geometry into cleaner forms.
Sanganer and Bagru artisans
All textiles—curtains, upholstery, bedding—employ hand-block printed cotton from artisan families in Sanganer and Bagru. Natural dyes create colors that soften and deepen with washing.
Two years after completion, the estate has become exactly what the clients envisioned: a home that honors Rajasthani traditions while serving contemporary family life.
The craft elements have generated unexpected benefits. Visiting artisans and their families have become part of extended household community.
We collaborate with families creating homes that honor regional architectural heritage while serving contemporary needs.
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