--- title: "Urban Sanctuaries: Climate-Responsive Homes by Spasm Design" description: "Build your urban sanctuary with Spasm Design. I create vertical homes in dense cities using natural light, courtyards, and honest materials. Let's build soul." canonical: https://mytribe.in/spasmdesignarchitects/architectural-design/urban-sanctuaries last_updated: 2025-08-20 --- # Urban Sanctuaries in Dense Cityscapes Tribe Verified · Creating quiet, climate-responsive homes across India By [Spasm Design](https://mytribe.in/spasmdesignarchitects) · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in Andheri West, Mumbai · ₹450 per sq. ft. (estimate) Part of [Architectural Design](https://mytribe.in/spasmdesignarchitects/architectural-design). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/spasmdesignarchitects/architectural-design/gallery) Finding peace in the middle of chaos. I design vertical homes and apartments that breathe, using courtyards and light to create your own quiet refuge from the city. ## Photos and videos - [Video: This is Sarvasva, a vertical home in Bombay. Its terracotta skin provides a self cleansing facade that stands in marked contrast to its surroundings, with a principal jagged eye sculpted to take in the best vistas and suspend greens.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1b7e81a1-62cc-43e1-918c-e5be4ad8503d) - ![A render of our Koba House, a country home by the Sabarmati. The design uses big, elemental white spaces to frame expansive views and make light the true showstopper of the architecture.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1ef8c501-3e73-4eac-a615-68cf1544353e) - ![A preview of our Dubai Hills villa, Wahatan, which means Oasis. The design sucks the green of the golfing fairway into its central courtyard, making nature the absolute center stage of the home.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/228f7731-7dc3-4c6d-a1fd-aa4f5ca6caba) - [Video: Our first apartment project, Ikebana in Ahmedabad, is nearing completion. These are glimpses of the experience center, a lofty white space with a stone temple like enclosure rising from a black reflective water plane. Elemental Zen.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2465fcab-75a4-4945-92fb-1874631d89c5) - ![The courtyard of our Dubai Hills villa, Wahatan. The home is designed as an oasis, with lush greenery and a bridge connecting two wings, creating a private, natural world in the middle of the city.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/28731ed8-3049-40f8-9e41-033b26dc2cb1) - [Video: Ikebana is green housing at a mega scale in an urban environment. The goal is to bring green to the area and be a sympathetic neighbor, using user centric design with shaded glass, irrigated planters, and sustainable practices.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2cfc4f84-a5d5-4621-bf00-eabafdb32f73) - ![A render for a new project in Bombay, living on the edge between land and sea. We intend to make a difference in our mother city, where mediocre architecture has dominated for too long. This is one of those attempts.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/31aa40e6-4fd5-4684-b22f-c5eae925ffab) - ![The sculptural form of the Koba House at dusk. The design is elemental, using clean white planes and a dramatic roofline to create a powerful statement against the deep blue sky.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/37ab2d48-dc11-49f1-9821-1f90bec55100) - ![A view into the green heart of our Dubai Hills villa. The design brings the lushness of the adjacent golf course right into the home's courtyard, creating a true oasis in the desert landscape.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3a02aded-0f89-433b-a0b1-560ee49f6e24) - ![A before and after view of our Khwabgah project in Delhi. This multi generational home celebrates the outdoors with green rooftops and courtyards, using noble materials like red sandstone and white marble.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3ac85342-3296-4f8f-8632-9df92df0561b) - ![A sectional render of a vertical living project in Bombay. We are fortunate to receive commissions in our mother city, and we intend to make a change in the right direction with designs that prioritize green space and climatic response.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/43f87c41-01cc-4989-9477-5e528828d458) - [Video: A glimpse of the Dubai Hills villa at night. The courtyard becomes a tranquil, illuminated garden, a private oasis that feels a world away from the bustling city.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/479eeed9-7f9d-4ac7-b70d-8336ed261124) - ![The interior courtyard of our Ishtika project, showing the play of light and shadow through the slatted roof. The name means 'brick' in Sanskrit, and the home is a celebration of this humble, powerful material.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4bdc8797-7335-4fc7-b78e-1ebfe2d22b6c) - [Video: Ishtika, our first project in Dubai, holds a special place for us. It is a simple brick courtyard home, seen here with its large glass walls that connect the interior to the lush central garden.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/51c81464-26ca-4dc5-881b-034f8cd279f2) - ![A before and after comparison of the main courtyard at our Khwabgah project in Delhi. What was once a construction site is transformed into a serene green space, the public heart of this multi generational home.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/56f9c130-8f5a-4fb2-a2fd-2911baa36479) - ![A view of the corten steel bridge traversing the courtyard of our Dubai Hills villa. The design creates a dynamic connection between the two wings of the house, framed by lush greenery.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5b6d0f03-0db8-4691-8e63-6dc46d3290fd) - [Video: The 8 meter tall pivoting glass door of the Copper House in Ahmedabad. This massive portal connects the interior living space to a sunken courtyard, creating a seamless transition between inside and out.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/60ba5fd3-b880-465f-bfde-c1137a5242a7) - [Video: Ishtika, our first project in Dubai, is a simple brick courtyard home with a corten bridge. It houses a serious collection of contemporary Indian art and creates an atmosphere of refined living by blurring the line between inside and out.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/611b2c8a-5206-45ee-b3fa-a602d9988d07) - ![A view from the Koba House, where the living space opens onto a serene pool and a view of the Sabarmati river at sunset. The architecture is designed to frame and celebrate these moments.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/613b9eb9-06c1-4c5c-a1a7-749b68ed6211) - ![Our Ishtika project nearing handover. It is a simple brick jali wrapped around a series of rooms and courtyards, like a little Jaisalmeri haveli. The porous walls and central court allow the home to breathe.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6bba917d-dc6d-4f31-8e68-7783250254cf) - ![The transformation of the entrance at our Khwabgah project in Delhi. A raw construction space becomes a dramatic, plant filled entryway, setting the tone for a home that celebrates nature.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/72d4cd71-4d23-48f4-b2a1-4424412d0f64) - ![The Ishtika house, with its distinctive brick jali facade, sits in the landscape. The home looks inwards, celebrating private family life within its porous, breathing walls. We never worry about doing too little.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7dd998e8-2665-479f-bb9b-badd7c6b9cf1) - [Video: A sketch of Sarvasva. The hand drawn image can never be replaced. At our studio, analog is king, and every project begins with the honest connection of pen to paper.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9d880cb6-044d-4202-99e5-a0f63b012e1a) - ![A render of a tall, slender residential tower in Bombay. This project is an exploration of vertical living on the coast, with green balconies and screens to mediate the tropical climate.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a0b68a66-0e25-40a6-b334-9d2128523c26) - ![Another concept for a vertical home in Bombay. The design incorporates extensive planters and operable screens, creating a breathing facade that brings nature into the dense urban environment.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a3b91af7-e905-435a-986b-f9d040fdcfba) - [Video: Our project, Sarvasva, a terracotta home in Bombay, was awarded Winner for high rise residence by Architecture Hunter. We are thankful for the reaffirmation of our belief in simple, soulful, and relevant stories.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a7e05b0f-190d-4078-8876-37dee3895062) - [Video: A new project in Ahmedabad, an inquiry into an Aangan (courtyard) home. Like a geode, the hard, sand textured exterior gives way to a cool, open, and perfectly lit core with green roofs and intimate spaces.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b624509d-e917-48f4-921e-80200d13361b) - [Video: Ishtika in Dubai Hills is a large, multi generational family home built from sand bricks and corten steel. It embraces a large courtyard, with a corten bridge traversing it, and uses light and shadow to create a cool, calm atmosphere.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bc3b78df-74d1-490e-a54a-32139ffdb4b3) - ![The central stairwell of the Ishtika house, with light filtering down from above. The open design creates a sense of vertical connection through the different levels of the home.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bca43825-e1f9-4bde-87ba-bcbea4bdea00) - ![A render of a vertical home on the Bombay coast. Living on the edge between land and sea, our goal is to create architecture that responds to the climate and brings a new level of quality to the city.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c2f5d930-04cf-4c6c-b445-c24231811f60) - [Video: The experience center for our Ikebana apartment project. The design uses the Japanese art of arranging nature and space to create a tangible connection between man and the natural spirit, with stone fins rising from a black water body.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d0c9386b-3a17-4876-9a05-860e111a5164) - [Video: Our urban home project in Juhu, Mumbai, is reaching completion. We have attempted to bring back double height spaces, large planted terraces, and 6 meter tall sliding glass walls to heighten the sense of light and air in our packed metropolis.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d22d48a0-6086-4043-816a-696604eb6ae5) - ![The living space of the Koba House, where a large painting provides a splash of color in an otherwise serene, white interior. The room opens completely to the central courtyard with its signature olive tree.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d5a92ccf-6922-4183-b567-72dcd6a40154) - [Video: Our first project in our capital city, New Delhi, Khwabgah pays homage to Fatehpur Sikri. It uses the same red Agra sandstone and white marble to create a timeless sense of luxury that celebrates material, craft, light, and nature.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d6599fa0-297c-47b1-872d-1e2f4dfcba02) - [Video: Our multi generational home in Juhu is now handed over. Conceived as a stack of "Living Slabs," the 8 storey anthracite black structure alternates single and duplex units, holding greens wherever possible.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dcc44503-40fb-4e64-9ea7-219941889f23) - [Video: A quiet sanctuary amidst the chaos. This film teases our project in Bombay, a seven story home that is a sacred grove in stone. It holds space for light, wind, and silence. Not just a home, but a presence.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e21f3f87-ec09-4cd0-9a04-f0d7e5d378f7) - ![A resident walks through the courtyard of the Wahatan villa in Dubai Hills. The design creates a journey through interconnected indoor and outdoor spaces, all centered around a lush green oasis.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e440851e-ca34-40d8-8378-e90b021bd068) - ![A view of the Bandra Worli Sea Link from a penthouse project in Bombay. Our design for this space frames the iconic cityscape, creating a seamless connection between the luxurious interior and the sprawling metropolis outside.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e63a86a3-4872-433d-b534-7a7c6eb4e8a6) - ![The courtyard of our Dubai Hills villa, showing the interplay of light and shadow created by the overhead trellis. The design includes a water feature that reflects the sky and cools the surrounding space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e92ae4ca-e9ba-43ec-97b6-ad3524664dcd) - ![A corridor in the Ishtika house, with warm wood flooring and a view down into the central, multi-level courtyard. The play of light from the slatted roof above creates a dynamic, ever changing pattern on the floor.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e93b18db-8832-4c6e-829a-7ea0769f9837) - [Video: Our Copper House in Ahmedabad is built on, above, and within an 18 foot mound. The home straddles many connections with nature to suit the needs of a multi generational family, creating a unique and deeply custom design.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ea064fed-10a0-4ce9-959f-7d5725dfdc43) - ![Before and after at the Khwabgah project in Delhi. A central courtyard, once a dusty construction area with a lone tree, is transformed into a lush garden, the green heart of the home.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/eac07cb8-729e-47f7-9c26-497bd593c4fd) - [Video: Our Casa Nirvana project at Breachcandy has taken off. This is a super green development with an exoskeleton to control the microclimate, shield from wind and rain, and support over 400 breeds of plants.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fe8e6cef-4774-41c0-8344-2029627d8a0e) ## About Urban Sanctuaries Most urban homes fight against their environment, but I design yours to embrace it. By utilizing terracotta screens and internal courtyards, I turn a standard apartment into a living organism that breathes, filters city noise, and invites light deep into your private spaces. Dense cityscapes demand a shift in perspective. Instead of sealing ourselves off behind glass, I focus on porosity. In my projects like Sarvasva in Bombay, I sculpted the building to suspend greenery at every level, creating a vertical garden that functions as a natural filter against the surrounding concrete. ### The Architecture of Breath My Urban Sanctuary approach is rooted in the concept of the aangan (courtyard). Even in restricted plots, I find space to place a green heart. This heart regulates temperature and creates a visual pause point. I use noble materials like basalt, rammed earth, and salvaged teak that age beautifully, adding texture that synthetic finishes cannot replicate. ### Technical Rigor Design is only half the battle. I spend significant time on physical models to map sun-paths and wind directions. This ensures that the passive cooling strategies—like wind tunnels and large overhangs—work as intended throughout the seasons. This is not about following a trend. It is about building for the next fifty years. ### What to expect When we start, I listen. I need to understand your lifestyle before I draw a single line. We will look at material samples, walk through the site, and build small-scale models to test volume. I do not hide behind computer screens. If you appreciate the tactile feel of raw stone over mass-market finishes, we are already speaking the same language. We prioritize climate-responsive layouts that reduce electricity costs and improve your daily well-being. Whether you are in Bombay, Delhi, or Dubai, my studio works to ensure your home feels like an oasis of calm. ## About Spasm Design I am Spasm. I view architecture as the art of arranging nature and human intent. My team and I build stories with earth, light, and stone, crafting homes that feel quiet and relevant. [See all of Spasm Design's services](https://mytribe.in/spasmdesignarchitects) ## More from Architectural Design by Spasm Design - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/spasmdesignarchitects/architectural-design/featured) - [Country & Lakeside Homes](https://mytribe.in/spasmdesignarchitects/architectural-design/country-lakeside-homes) - [Spaces for Learning & Community](https://mytribe.in/spasmdesignarchitects/architectural-design/spaces-for-learning-community) - [The Architect's Hand: Process & Craft](https://mytribe.in/spasmdesignarchitects/architectural-design/the-architect-s-hand-process-craft) - [A Symphony of Materials](https://mytribe.in/spasmdesignarchitects/architectural-design/a-symphony-of-materials) - [Works in Progress](https://mytribe.in/spasmdesignarchitects/architectural-design/works-in-progress) - [Additional Work & Explorations](https://mytribe.in/spasmdesignarchitects/architectural-design/additional-work-explorations) ## More services by Spasm Design - [Integrated Interior Design](https://mytribe.in/spasmdesignarchitects/integrated-interior-design) - [Sustainable & Climatic Design](https://mytribe.in/spasmdesignarchitects/sustainable-climatic-design) ## Similar work from other experts - [Urban Residences: Creating Sanctuaries in the City](https://mytribe.in/kham_design/sustainable-residential-architecture/urban-residences) by Kham Design · Sustainable Residential Architecture · Projects across India; Visit Studio in Chamrajpet - [Designing Urban Sanctuaries: Homes That Breathe](https://mytribe.in/malik_architecture/interior-design/urban-sanctuaries) by Malik Architecture · Interior Design · Takes projects across India; Visit office at Ballard Estate, Mumbai - [Vertical Sanctuaries: High-Rise Greening](https://mytribe.in/pldindia/residential-landscape-design/vertical-sanctuaries-high-rise-greening) by Retiwallas · Residential Landscape Design · Takes projects across Mumbai, Alibag, and Ahmedabad - [Modern Urban Sanctuaries: Architecture That Breathes](https://mytribe.in/s.a.k.a.studio/architectural-design/modern-urban-sanctuaries) by Saka Studio · Architectural Design · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in DLF Phase 3, Gurugram - [Thoughtful Residential Interiors and Sanctuary Design](https://mytribe.in/studiomaheklalan/residential-architecture/featured) by SML Architects · Residential Architecture · Projects across Mumbai Metropolitan Area; Visit studio in Vile Parle West - [Biophilic & Sustainable Residences in Delhi NCR](https://mytribe.in/cityspace82_architects/architectural-design/biophilic-sustainable-sanctuaries) by Cityspace’82 Architects · Architectural Design · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in DLF Phase 2, Gurugram ## Book To book Spasm Design, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I'm%20looking%20for%20Architectural%20Design%20by%20Spasm%20Design.) 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