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Architecture

06-02-2026

Photographer : Ishita Sitwala / The Fishy Project

Text provided by Architect

Nestled in the outskirts of Surat, the aptly christened COURTYARD HOUSE is a 920 square-metre farmhouse, set on the northeast corner of an expansive site away from the urban chaos. The house is envisioned as a sanctuary for the clients’ family who sought a tranquil spot for slow living—a place to embrace nature and the rhythms of shared family life.

The planning of the house while being concentric majorly revolves around the central 9x9 metre sunken courtyard that acts as both a spatial anchor and a climatic device. One enters the house through a spacious foyer into the primary living space, located on the southeast side, which opens wide to the courtyard—a spatial experience that seamlessly connects the indoors and outdoors, fostering a harmonious fusion. The family block hosts the secondary living space, dining, kitchen and powder room, all looping around the courtyard on its northeast and northwest sides extending into a party lawn and a family sit-out on either side. The private wing with three bedrooms, each with attached baths and dressing areas, overlooks and connects to a green organic farm patch on the southwest face, capturing natural light and ventilation throughout the day. Semi-open connections throughout the structure passively cool the interiors, creating an atmosphere of comfort in Surat’s otherwise humid climate.

Surat,Gujarat,India

Architects	:	D’WELL
Area	:	9902.8 sq. ft.
Year of Completion	:	2024
Website	:	https://www.instagram.com/d_welldesign/

Front elevation of The Courtyard House by D’WELL

East side elevation of The Courtyard House by D’WELL

Foyer and living area of The Courtyard House by D’WELL

Living area of The Courtyard House by D’WELL

Living area from south east side elevation of The Courtyard House by D’WELL

Framed secondary livig area from outside of The Courtyard House by D’WELL

Dining area of The Courtyard House by D’WELL

Courtyard of The Courtyard House by D’WELL

Drawing inspiration from early Chettinad style tropical houses, the centrally aligned axial views extend outward to the landscape and the sloping roof over the courtyard carefully frames the open sky above, creating a visual connection with nature that feels infinite yet intimate. As the sun moves across the sky, light filters through the courtyard and textured deep walls, casting shadows and bringing subtle changes in tone and temperature. Hand-applied sand-textured plaster walls match the site’s soil tone, and rough-cut Kota stone mosaic flooring flows seamlessly from interior to exterior enhancing silent conversation of the building with its context.

Courtyard with north west side view of The Courtyard House by D’WELL

Courtayrd connected to secondary living area of The Courtyard House by D’WELL

Kitchen of The Courtyard House by D’WELL

Bedroom of The Courtyard House by D’WELL

Accents of natural wood are used in furniture and door detailing, adding warmth, contrasts and a unique personification to an otherwise sculptural massing of The Courtyard House. Vintage artefacts, large earthen pots, and handpicked furniture adorns the rustic gathering spaces while sunbathed landscapes blur the limits between indoors and outdoors. A single, sloping roof—clad in custom cement tiles—ties the structure together with a contemporary edge, while also ensuring thermal efficiency. The findings of understated contemporary language to striking traditional building materials effortlessly lends purpose and character to the minimalist spaces and helps render a quaint aesthetic of erstwhile tropical houses. Meanwhile, the heart of the house i.e. the Courtyard quietly stands in the centre; head high as a witness to all the activities around the house.

Rooted in local terrain yet refined in its execution, discreetly playing with the skyline, The Courtyard House makes a thoughtfully crafted abode shaped by land, light, and the quiet rituals of family living.