- Project: The Hovering House
- Architect: MODO Designs
- Location: India, Ahmedabad
- Year: 2023
- Area: 585 m2
- Photography: PHX India
In the western suburbs of Ahmedabad, India, The Hovering House by Modo Designs, in collaboration with interior designer Anarr Gunjaria, redefines the idea of multigenerational living. Designed for a family of six spanning three generations, the house balances privacy and togetherness through an L-shaped plan, a central courtyard, and a dramatic hovering upper mass that gives the residence its name.
The design maximizes openness and green space on a 9,000 sq ft plot, creating a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living while preserving large areas for gardens and social gatherings.
Site & Concept: Openness and Green Living
The client brief emphasized light, ventilation, and connection to nature. In response, Modo Designs created a compact footprint on the ground floor, ensuring much of the plot remains as open garden. The upper floor “hovers” above this footprint, expanding the available living area without sacrificing outdoor space.
The L-shaped configuration defines two main edges of the site, framing a central green court that acts as the visual and social heart of the home. This inward–outward balance allows the family to enjoy both privacy and openness.
Spatial Organization
The Hovering House is designed as a fluid sequence of spaces, transitioning naturally from formal to private zones.
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Entry Sequence: Arrival is marked by a foyer and vestibule that look into a courtyard, immediately establishing the theme of openness and greenery.
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Formal Drawing Room: Located just off the vestibule, it overlooks landscaped gardens, offering a refined space for guests.
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Living & Dining: The living room connects to a verandah and dining space beyond. Sliding doors allow the drawing room and living room to merge into one expansive area for family functions.
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Ground Floor Bedrooms: A parent’s bedroom is tucked into the southwest wing, ensuring privacy and garden views.
Upper Floor:
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Bedrooms for the son and granddaughter are connected by a cozy shared living area.
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A guest bedroom and art studio occupy the opposite wing, with the studio extending into a terrace that opens onto the garden below.
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Outdoor decks below the hovering volume are designed for gatherings, celebrations, and evening relaxation.
The Hovering Mass
The project’s defining gesture is the hovering slab of the upper floor, which cantilevers over the garden and deck below. This not only expands living space above but also creates shaded outdoor areas for gatherings. The interplay of weight and lightness gives the house its striking identity.
Courtyard & Verandah: Passive Climate Design
A central court and semi-open verandah bring natural light and cross ventilation deep into the house. Operable sliding panels enable the family to adapt the openness of the home depending on weather and occasion. These semi-open spaces recall the vernacular planning of traditional Indian homes while offering a modern, climate-responsive solution.
Interiors & Material Palette
The interiors, designed in collaboration with Anarr Gunjaria, reflect the balance between tradition and modernity:
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Material Palette: A mix of warm wood, exposed concrete, and muted stone floors creates an earthy yet contemporary atmosphere.
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Furniture: The design blends custom Indian contemporary pieces with modern furnishings, ensuring comfort across generations.
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Lighting: Natural light dominates the interiors, supported by minimalist artificial lighting that emphasizes clean lines and open volumes.
The resulting aesthetic is minimalist yet homely, combining modern luxury with understated elegance.
A House for Three Generations
The Hovering House demonstrates how contemporary architecture can support multigenerational living. Each generation enjoys private retreats, yet shared living areas, verandahs, and terraces encourage togetherness.
From grandparents to grandchildren, every family member finds both connection and privacy in this layered design.
Architectural Significance
The Hovering House exemplifies Modo Designs’ ethos of contextual modernism:
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L-shaped layout creates open courts and green areas.
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Hovering upper floor expands living area without losing ground-level gardens.
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Courtyard typology reinterprets Indian vernacular traditions in a modern way.
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Climate-responsive design ensures natural light, cross ventilation, and shaded outdoor living.
