Fact File
Project Name: Rushitoya
Location: Droneshwar, Una, Gujarat
Built Area: 7500 sq.ft
Site Area: 1.5 acres
Interior Design: Gajjar Furnitures
Structure: Shri Hari Krishna Fabrication
Completion Year: 2024
Text: Shivangi Buch
Photos: Inclined Studio
The homestay’s design is deeply rooted in the interplay of levels, creating a dynamic spatial experience that unfolds gradually. The site presents a dramatic spatial narrative: the building’s character shifts dramatically between the entry side and the river-facing façade—one intimate and enclosed, the other expansive and panoramic. The spatial arrangement unfolds much like a home—rooted in the vernacular typology of kathiyawadi dwellings which has a central courtyard around which the spaces are placed.
Despite being a hospitality project, the homestay is treated architecturally and programmatically as a house. It follows the traditional layout of a delo, where an entrance courtyard acts as the first threshold, leading into a larger central aangnu (courtyard) around which private spaces are organized. This courtyard is not only a climatic device but also a social hub, reminiscent of the Rushitoya in traditional Kathiyawadi homes, where gatherings and performances take place.
The homestay is a symphony of levels, materials, and cultural narratives, where vernacular knowledge meets contemporary sensitivity, and where architecture respects its landscape rather than imposing upon it.
Himanshu Patel, Principal Architect
The upper level remains private, housing bedrooms, while the lower, sunken areas accommodate the living, dining, and kitchen. While all spaces are oriented towards the river, they remain discreetly distanced from one another.
Two courtyards, positioned at different levels, serve distinct purposes—one as an entry space that anchors the home, and the other as a sunken courtyard that enhances connectivity while offering a thermal advantage. This play of levels also influences the microclimate—while the upper semi-covered spaces provide shade and openness, the sunken courtyard remains naturally cooler. Through this thoughtful layering of spaces, the homestay achieves a blend of function, symbolism, and environmental responsiveness. The passageways around the courtyard act as informal performance spaces, where guests can witness dayras (folk storytelling events).
The building derives its strength from load-bearing construction, avoiding RCC entirely and relying on a combination of brick and stone. A key design feature is the absence of columns that would otherwise obstruct the view, and the balconies are structurally designed with corbelling techniques, allowing for unobstructed views. An infinity pool merges with the landscape, ensuring the architecture never overpowers its natural surroundings.
The project uses recycled local materials like old teakwood doors and windows, repurposed to maintain authenticity. These doors feature kamans (arches), supported by brick and stone columns. Sandstone dominates the built fabric, ensuring continuity in material and craftsmanship while also allowing for diverse forms and detailing. From the finely crafted railings to the use of traditional construction techniques, every detail is intentional. Jaalis filter light, casting dynamic patterns that shift throughout the day.
Given the project’s proximity to wilderness, security is an essential consideration: the design ensures that when doors are closed, the entire homestay is locked down as a singular, self-contained unit.
