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curved canopy shelters stepped house-gallery hybrid by milind shivani in india

Milind Shivani Designs’ Houseum acts as a gallery for vintage cars

Located in Vadodara, Gujarat, India, The Houseum is a house museum developed as part of a private family estate. Designed by Milind Shivani Designs, it functions as an architectural extension of the main residence, intended to house a collection of ancestral objects and vintage cars. The program called for a space that accommodates both functional and curatorial needs while maintaining sensitivity to its historical and ecological context. Situated on a contoured 5,500 sqft plot adjacent to an existing bungalow by the late architect Suryakant Patel, the new structure was conceived to integrate with the terrain and preserve site elements such as mature trees and natural sightlines. Rather than introducing a dominant volume, the design adopts a recessed posture that follows the site’s topography. The spatial organization emphasizes continuity with the surrounding landscape and built fabric.

The pavilion incorporates ten stepped levels, designed for vehicular circulation. A ramped path enables the display of vintage cars without requiring repositioning for access, supporting efficient movement and spatial clarity. This multi-level arrangement is key to managing the site’s slope while enabling zoned display areas. The structure is built using a modular metal frame system to allow for potential disassembly and reduced environmental impact. Load-bearing brick arches and shera board paneling are combined with a fiberglass-reinforced plastic roof in a hyperbolic paraboloid form. These material choices and geometries align the structure visually with the architectural vocabulary of the adjacent bungalow.

all images courtesy of Milind Shivani Designs

brick arches delineate internal zones within Houseum pavilion

Milind Shivani Designs’ team organizes the internal layout to support dual functions: the front of the pavilion displays the car collection, while the rear section, facing a courtyard, exhibits heirloom furniture and other antique objects. The rear wall with brick arches delineates these zones and reinforces the visual continuity of the design. Openings throughout the structure allow for porosity and cross-ventilation. Each entryway is designed as a functional threshold, enhancing flexibility of use. The roof geometry contributes to spatial definition while minimizing visual impact from the exterior. Reflecting the overall design language, the roof also supports indirect lighting and structural lightness.

A courtyard located behind the structure accommodates small gatherings and informal events. A side entrance leads through this outdoor space and into the gallery, offering a defined spatial sequence from exterior to interior. The layout, though simple, allows the space to function simultaneously as a display area and communal environment. Throughout the project, considerations for reversibility, visual restraint, and contextual integration were central. By engaging with site constraints such as low buildable height and irregular contours, the design uses lightweight materials and adaptable circulation paths to address both client requirements and environmental responsiveness. The Houseum is designed to support long-term use while maintaining the ability to evolve over time. It serves not only as a repository for artifacts but as a multi-functional structure that accommodates exhibition, assembly, and storage with equal focus. The architectural intervention consolidates dispersed heritage elements into a unified setting, enabling a more active engagement with them in daily life.

Houseum integrates into a private family estate in Vadodara

designed as an extension of the main residence, the structure houses vintage cars and heirloom artifacts

the structure combines brick arches with a modular metal frame system

porous envelope design allows natural ventilation throughout the space

heirloom furniture and collectibles are exhibited in the courtyard-facing rear zone

a stepped layout supports vehicle circulation across ten levels

open thresholds enable flexible access and movement across the structure

project info:

name: The Houseum
designer: Milind Shivani Designs | @milindshivanidesigns

location: Vadodara, Gujarat, India

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post curved canopy shelters stepped house-gallery hybrid by milind shivani in india appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

sculptural chimney pierces L-shaped house by martins architecture office in portugal

Martins Architecture Office crafts L-shaped house in Guimarães

Martins Architecture Office’s residential project in Guimarães, Portugal, adopts an L-shaped configuration, determined by both spatial logic and functional requirements. The layout responds to site conditions by enclosing two key frontages, the street-facing and north-facing sides, while orienting the primary living areas toward the south and west.

The plan is organized along a diagonal axis formed by the folding of the L-shape. This axis establishes a spatial transition between the private zones, including the bedrooms, and the social areas such as the living room and kitchen. The main entrance and technical spaces are located at this intersection, serving as a pivot within the overall layout. The design of this hinge point introduces a distinct spatial identity, guided by the diagonal that defines the architectural strategy.

all images courtesy of Martins Architecture Office

sloping roof extends over residential unit’s L-shaped layout

Martins Architecture Office’s designers intentionally displace a structural column from the central axis to generate a geometric interaction with the ceiling. The roof is pitched at the maximum allowed slope of 35%, resulting in varied interior ceiling heights that contribute to spatial differentiation within the house.

A central chimney, which also functions as a structural element, anchors the patio composition. Its proportions were calculated to support the structure while allowing for an open connection between the living area and the swimming pool, eliminating the need for repetitive column placement along that interface.

project info:

name: L shape house
architect: Martins Architecture Office | @martinsarchitectureoffice

design team: Eva Martins, Joana Moreira, José Martins, Miguel Pereira

area: 240 sqm

location: Guimarães, Portugal

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post sculptural chimney pierces L-shaped house by martins architecture office in portugal appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.