The Vaulted House by Vrushaket Pawar and Architects VP+A in Aurangabad, India

Contextual Design for a Hot, Dry Climate

The Vaulted House, located in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), India, is an innovative residential design by Vrushaket Pawar + Architects VP+A, created for an artist and his family. The project expands a humble two-bedroom ground floor home built over 20 years ago, transforming it into a dynamic 4 BHK residence without demolishing the original structure.

Situated in a hot and dry climate zone, the design carefully responds to passive cooling, sunlight penetration, and ventilation, ensuring year-round comfort while maintaining privacy in a relatively densely populated area.

Multi-Level Spatial Planning

The house spans three floors (ground, first, and second), each thoughtfully arranged for function and experience:

• Ground Floor: Living room, dining area, kitchen, master bedroom, guest bedroom.
• First Floor: Sons’ bedrooms with high vaulted ceilings for thermal comfort.
• Second Floor: Private artist’s den, offering panoramic views and a serene creative retreat.

A central three-story high stepped courtyard, puncturing the original slab, brings abundant natural light into the heart of the house. This central courtyard not only illuminates interiors but also generates an upward wind draft, removing hot air from the kitchen, dining, and master bedroom during summers, while welcoming winter sunlight without exposure to cold winds.

Vaulted Ceilings and Passive Cooling

The design prominently features vaulted ceilings, particularly in the northwest bedroom, which reduces heat gain during summer while capturing the winter sun. The south-facing vaults maintain privacy and allow daylighting, while skylights in bathrooms enhance natural ventilation and light, doubling as planter spaces to add greenery to daily routines.

Stepped Terraces and Multi-Level Stairs

Existing staircases influenced a multi-level, terraced spatial strategy, creating outdoor extensions for each room with a distinct identity. The cantilevered concrete slabs, perforated panels, and exposed brick walls balance openness and privacy, allowing views of a large tree canopy while shielding interiors from the street.

A secondary staircase around the courtyard, built from load-bearing Kota stone and first-quality bricks, connects the living spaces to the den, visually linking multiple levels of the house.

Artist’s Den – A Creative Sanctuary

The second-floor artist’s den is a signature space designed for painting, thinking, and leisure. With glass walls on three sides and an overhanging lotus pond, it provides an immersive connection with nature. The den also opens to two terraces with contrasting views—from distant hills to intimate tree canopies—enhancing the occupant’s experience of the landscape.

A freestanding brick jaali wall provides privacy, while a partly vaulted ceiling facilitates passive cooling and enhances spatial drama. An indoor standing balcony overlooks the dining area, establishing visual and vocal connections across multiple levels.

Minimal Material Palette with Local Character

The material palette embraces humility and authenticity, reflecting the client’s background. Key materials include:

• Kota stone slabs and exposed brick
• Concrete work for structure and vaults
• Locally sourced reclaimed wood from an old wada

The stepped terraces, large vaults, and textured materials narrate the artist’s life—resilient, fluid, and firm, echoing his creative spirit.

Sustainability and Passive Design Strategies

The Vaulted House exemplifies climate-responsive design, blending sustainable architecture, passive ventilation, daylighting, and minimal material use. It integrates the old with the new, creating a home that balances heritage, privacy, and modern living for a creative family in Aurangabad.

All photographs are works of  PHX India