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Set within a tranquil 3311 sq.m site in Gandhinagar, The Nine X Nine House is a contextual and climate-responsive architectural response to the extreme environmental conditions of western India. The design is rooted in the site’s existing ecology — a cluster of nine mature trees predominantly located along the southern edge of the plot. Rather than being treated as constraints, these trees become the primary generators of form, spatial organization, and experience, lending the project its name.
Fluid architectural volumes weave between the trees, embedding the house seamlessly within the landscape. Two trees puncture open decks, while others closely embrace the built mass, providing shade and spatial definition. The intent was to build between the trees rather than around them — crafting a home that breathes, flows, and coexists with its natural surroundings.
Fluid architectural volumes weave between the trees, embedding the house seamlessly within the landscape. Two trees puncture open decks, while others closely embrace the built mass, providing shade and spatial definition. The intent was to build between the trees rather than around them — crafting a home that breathes, flows, and coexists with its natural surroundings.
Project Type: Residential
Project Name: Nine X Nine
Location: Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Client: Mr. Dharam Chudasma
Principal Architect & Designer: Ar. Sanjay Puri, Ar. Nina Puri
Design Team: Ar. Sanjay Puri, Ar. Nina Puri
Civil: Sarjan Consultants, Mr. Girdhari
Interior Designers: Sanjay Puri Architects
Landscape Consultant: Studio 2+2
Structural Consultant: Sarjan Consultants
MEP & HVAC Consultants: Maheshwari Consultants
Contractors: Design Works Studio
Lighting Designers: Sanjay Puri Architects
Project Managers: Snehal Sen
Interior Styling: Morden
Carpentry: Design Works Studio (Mr. Kailash)
Site Contractors: Design Works Studio
Painting: Bharat Paint Works
Project Name: Nine X Nine
Location: Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Client: Mr. Dharam Chudasma
Principal Architect & Designer: Ar. Sanjay Puri, Ar. Nina Puri
Design Team: Ar. Sanjay Puri, Ar. Nina Puri
Civil: Sarjan Consultants, Mr. Girdhari
Interior Designers: Sanjay Puri Architects
Landscape Consultant: Studio 2+2
Structural Consultant: Sarjan Consultants
MEP & HVAC Consultants: Maheshwari Consultants
Contractors: Design Works Studio
Lighting Designers: Sanjay Puri Architects
Project Managers: Snehal Sen
Interior Styling: Morden
Carpentry: Design Works Studio (Mr. Kailash)
Site Contractors: Design Works Studio
Painting: Bharat Paint Works
Site Planning and Orientation
Accessed from the northwest, the site is layered with dense vegetation that gradually reveals the house as one moves inward. This orchestrated approach creates a narrative of discovery, where architecture unfolds through framed views of trees, courtyards, and water elements. The journey establishes a slow, immersive transition from landscape to built space.
The built mass is positioned along the southern edge of the plot, freeing the northern side for an expansive garden. This decision is grounded in climatic logic. Gandhinagar’s hot, semi-arid climate experiences temperatures exceeding 35°C for much of the year and often peaking near 50°C. Orienting primary living spaces toward the north minimizes direct solar gain while ensuring consistent daylight. The southern façade, shaded by existing trees and deep overhangs, becomes a porous yet protected interface between interior spaces and the landscape.
Accessed from the northwest, the site is layered with dense vegetation that gradually reveals the house as one moves inward. This orchestrated approach creates a narrative of discovery, where architecture unfolds through framed views of trees, courtyards, and water elements. The journey establishes a slow, immersive transition from landscape to built space.
The built mass is positioned along the southern edge of the plot, freeing the northern side for an expansive garden. This decision is grounded in climatic logic. Gandhinagar’s hot, semi-arid climate experiences temperatures exceeding 35°C for much of the year and often peaking near 50°C. Orienting primary living spaces toward the north minimizes direct solar gain while ensuring consistent daylight. The southern façade, shaded by existing trees and deep overhangs, becomes a porous yet protected interface between interior spaces and the landscape.
Form and Spatial Organization
The house adopts a T-shaped configuration in both plan and section, enhancing cross-ventilation, visual permeability, and spatial clarity. Entry from the north leads to a central spine that anchors the house, branching east and west into functional wings. At the core of this axis lies a sculptural spiral staircase — a vertical pivot connecting three levels: the subterranean entertainment spaces, the ground-level living areas, and the upper private quarters.
Sectionally, this T-form translates into stepped, interlinked volumes that create varied spatial experiences. Split levels, intermediate decks, and double-height moments allow light and air to penetrate deep into the house, fostering a continuous dialogue between openness and enclosure.
The house adopts a T-shaped configuration in both plan and section, enhancing cross-ventilation, visual permeability, and spatial clarity. Entry from the north leads to a central spine that anchors the house, branching east and west into functional wings. At the core of this axis lies a sculptural spiral staircase — a vertical pivot connecting three levels: the subterranean entertainment spaces, the ground-level living areas, and the upper private quarters.
Sectionally, this T-form translates into stepped, interlinked volumes that create varied spatial experiences. Split levels, intermediate decks, and double-height moments allow light and air to penetrate deep into the house, fostering a continuous dialogue between openness and enclosure.
Spatial Hierarchy and Experience
The ground level houses common spaces — living, dining, kitchen, and a guest suite — conceived as fluid, interconnected areas opening onto large decks. These decks function as transitional thresholds, partially shaded and partially open, enabling the house to adapt to changing seasons and times of day.
The upper level accommodates three family bedrooms, each opening on two sides to frame views of trees and gardens. Every room maintains a strong visual and spatial relationship with nature, enhancing comfort, privacy, and emotional well-being.
The subterranean level contains entertainment zones, a small art gallery, and ancillary spaces. A generous sunken courtyard on the western side introduces daylight and natural ventilation into this level. An open stairway cascades along an undulating wall beside a waterfall, linking the courtyard to the garden above. The interplay of water, light, stone, and movement creates a microclimatic oasis that cools and animates the lower spaces.
The ground level houses common spaces — living, dining, kitchen, and a guest suite — conceived as fluid, interconnected areas opening onto large decks. These decks function as transitional thresholds, partially shaded and partially open, enabling the house to adapt to changing seasons and times of day.
The upper level accommodates three family bedrooms, each opening on two sides to frame views of trees and gardens. Every room maintains a strong visual and spatial relationship with nature, enhancing comfort, privacy, and emotional well-being.
The subterranean level contains entertainment zones, a small art gallery, and ancillary spaces. A generous sunken courtyard on the western side introduces daylight and natural ventilation into this level. An open stairway cascades along an undulating wall beside a waterfall, linking the courtyard to the garden above. The interplay of water, light, stone, and movement creates a microclimatic oasis that cools and animates the lower spaces.
Climate Responsiveness and Sustainability
The Nine X Nine House is conceived as a passive, energy-efficient dwelling tailored to Gujarat’s harsh climate. Planning ensures that all spaces benefit from cross-ventilation and indirect northern light, reducing reliance on artificial cooling and lighting. Deep overhangs, shaded decks, and the retention of mature trees work together to minimize heat gain and maintain thermal comfort.
Water elements function as active climatic devices. The western waterfall and a reflecting pool on the northeastern side facilitate evaporative cooling, lowering ambient temperatures in adjacent areas. The sunken courtyard acts as a thermal buffer, stabilizing temperatures across levels.
Material choices further reinforce sustainability. Locally sourced stone cladding, white marble flooring, exposed concrete, and wood finishes create a restrained, timeless palette that performs well in extreme heat. Rainwater harvesting, water recycling, and extensive use of natural materials reduce the project’s environmental footprint. Notably, the house operates without air-conditioning for most of the year, underscoring the effectiveness of its passive strategies.
The Nine X Nine House is conceived as a passive, energy-efficient dwelling tailored to Gujarat’s harsh climate. Planning ensures that all spaces benefit from cross-ventilation and indirect northern light, reducing reliance on artificial cooling and lighting. Deep overhangs, shaded decks, and the retention of mature trees work together to minimize heat gain and maintain thermal comfort.
Water elements function as active climatic devices. The western waterfall and a reflecting pool on the northeastern side facilitate evaporative cooling, lowering ambient temperatures in adjacent areas. The sunken courtyard acts as a thermal buffer, stabilizing temperatures across levels.
Material choices further reinforce sustainability. Locally sourced stone cladding, white marble flooring, exposed concrete, and wood finishes create a restrained, timeless palette that performs well in extreme heat. Rainwater harvesting, water recycling, and extensive use of natural materials reduce the project’s environmental footprint. Notably, the house operates without air-conditioning for most of the year, underscoring the effectiveness of its passive strategies.
Design Language and Conclusion
Architecturally, the house is sculptural yet restrained, defined by intersecting planes, cantilevered decks, and deep recesses that cast shifting shadows throughout the day. Every space opens onto verandas or decks nestled within tree canopies, dissolving the boundary between built and unbuilt. A muted interior palette of white, wood, and stone provides a calm backdrop to the surrounding greenery.
The Nine X Nine House exemplifies contextual, climate-responsive residential architecture. By preserving nine mature trees, integrating water and landscape as climatic devices, and aligning form with ecology and human comfort, the project transcends conventional residential typologies. It is a home shaped by its place — balancing light and shade, material and void, nature and architecture — to create an environment that is not merely built on the land, but intrinsically of it.
Architecturally, the house is sculptural yet restrained, defined by intersecting planes, cantilevered decks, and deep recesses that cast shifting shadows throughout the day. Every space opens onto verandas or decks nestled within tree canopies, dissolving the boundary between built and unbuilt. A muted interior palette of white, wood, and stone provides a calm backdrop to the surrounding greenery.
The Nine X Nine House exemplifies contextual, climate-responsive residential architecture. By preserving nine mature trees, integrating water and landscape as climatic devices, and aligning form with ecology and human comfort, the project transcends conventional residential typologies. It is a home shaped by its place — balancing light and shade, material and void, nature and architecture — to create an environment that is not merely built on the land, but intrinsically of it.
