Maze House in Ahmedabad bridges tradition and modernity in Indian architecture

In a world characterised by rapid urbanisation and a growing disconnect between people and their architectural surroundings, the Maze House is an example of a communal living space deeply rooted in culture. Designed by Ahmedabad-based MISA Architects, this residential architecture reimagines the quintessential Indian way of life. It integrates it into a modern context, thereby instilling a sense of harmony between the built form and its inhabitants.

With the design of the house, the architects try to answer the age-old question of "Why? What is the purpose behind building this house?" They use this to create a home that reflects emotions, memories, and a gentle touch of ingenuity.

Appropriately named Maze House, the dwelling features a design inspired by the traditional residential design of the Maratha architecture, known as wada. It seamlessly blends built and unbuilt blocks to create a structure that heightens curiosity and engagement. As one approaches the house, it appears hidden, with a seemingly secretive entry. A missed turn on the stairs to the living area brings one back to the starting point, creating a sense of exploration and wonder.

This playful quality is one of the distinguishing features of Maze House. The maze-like placement of rooms utilises level differences, connecting them organically through courtyards and verandas. These open spaces breathe life into the house, providing a unique sense of space that changes with the shifting light and the sounds of nature. The boundaries between the inside and outside gradually blur as one moves deeper in and ascends through the floors.

With the deeper movement into the interior of Maze House, it reveals itself as a fusion of a grand haveli and a welcoming, intimate home. It features numerous courtyards, spacious rooms, a plethora of gathering spaces, balconies, and sit-outs.

Though the essence of its design revolves around wada the central courtyard of Maze House is reminiscent of a baoli, or stepwell, truly grounding the house in its regional context. Located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, a region renowned for its step-wells, the house pays homage to this architectural heritage while reimagining it in a contemporary context.

The use of intricate brickwork does more than just contribute to the aesthetics of the house. It is also cost-effective and innovative as it employs new bonds and interlocking geometries. The intricacy of the brickwork is starkly contrasted by the expansive rooms on the upper floor. It can achieve these uninterrupted expanses thanks to the utilisation of concrete vaults that drastically reduce the number of vertical elements needed for structural support. The vaults build on spacious aesthetics while also maximising the inlet of the ever-preferable north light throughout the day.

There is a harmonious coexistence of traditional and modern elements in the architecture of Maze House. It combines concrete construction with traditional courtyards to exemplify the enduring relevance of Indian architectural traditions. It also reflects a deep understanding of the local climate, culture, and lifestyle. The open spaces and courtyards promote natural ventilation and a seamless connection between the indoors and outdoors. As a result, the house also exemplifies sustainability and energy efficiency.

Talking about their design process, the studio says, "Architecture, for us, is not just an assembly of functional built forms—it is a home, a dwelling that houses emotions and is built with gentleness and some degree of ingenuity. And that is also true for the client. When we start with the basics, we simply ask the client and ourselves—why, what is the purpose behind building this house? And the answer to this question leads to stories, narratives, experiences, thoughts and imagery—from where it all started. This narrative is the journey of our design evolution."

At its core, the Maze House is a reflection of this. It is a celebration of the "Indian" way of life. It is deliberate in its design of communal spaces like verandas and courtyards that form communal connections to create social pockets that provide breaks from more private spaces. It mirrors the invisible interactions between people and their surroundings, encapsulating the threshold between the natural and the built environment. It is a house that responds to intuition, senses, memories, wandering, and the age-old human quest for answers.

Project Details

Name: Maze House
Location: Ahmedabad, India
Year of completion: 2023
Design Firm: MISA Architects
Team: Tarun Patel (Lead Architect), Kranti Desai, Rahul Jariwala, Krina Chauhan, Manthan Radadia (Structure Designer), Rajiv Patel (Contractor), Pratap Suthar (Carpenter)
Built-up area: 14000 sq. ft.