Intrigue and Awe: Lake House in Udaipur, India by Ashiesh Shah.

Ashiesh Shah’s signature wabi-sabi ethos sits in comfortable harmony with the timeless backdrop of Fateh Sagar in his Lake House project in Udaipur, India. The embodiment of simplicity and sophistication, Shah artfully pairs modern furniture and finishes with classic artefacts to form a home layered in intrigue and awe.

Facing north, the imposing pavilion is privy to panoramic vistas where mountain, sky and temple spires coalesce. Working in tandem with architect Verendra Wakhloo and involved clients, the two creatives found congenial compatibility.

Spanning over 3,000 metres, the sprawling modernist masterpiece is made up of three interlinked buildings with a dramatic colonnaded facade and precast concrete walls. Shah complements this exterior with a minimalist and modern interior intermingling with flourishing art pieces that sit in perfectly imperfect balance.

Related: Futuristic Craft: Sequel BKC in Mumbai, India by Ashiesh Shah.

Unapologetically majestic, the interior embraces its luxury. White marble flooring, naturally textured walls and American oak cladding encase the volume in a feeling of calm – an ideal backdrop for the standout pieces and custom-designed furniture by Shah’s own atelier.

The staircase is a geometric marble marvel, acting as a transitional threshold white marble blocks cascade from the ceiling appearing almost as an optical illusion. Showcasing beautiful craftsmanship it’s enhanced by a simple bronze handrail with marble inlay, a classic example of Shah’s razor-sharp attention to detail.

Decidedly modern, classic artefacts from a terracotta amphora or an antique sculpture of a welcoming Garuda ground the home in family values and traditions. Heavily infused with art from antiques sourced in Cochin to Shah’s own handcrafted designs, these additions speak to a personal connection between designer and client, adding warmth and depth to the cavernous building.

With three generations to consider within the five-bedroom home a calculated layering of vanishing thresholds offer zoning interventions, creating a combination of open and closed living areas.

Finding beauty in the “imperfect, impermanent and incomplete”, Shah has found an equilibrium between embellishment and restraint, designing a serious work of art with this Udaipur home.

Related: Plain Ties House in Surat, India by Matharoo Associates.

[Images courtesy of Ashiesh Shah. Photography by Ashish Sahi.]