Located in Surat, India, this redesigned house by local studio D’Well’s embraces minimalism and nature. Originally a farmer’s abode, the D’Well’s Den is now a tranquil workspace with a verdant courtyard. Founders Jhanvi and Rakshit preserved the house’s essence, integrating natural elements into the design.

Nestled amidst the verdant canopy of neem, mango, and almond trees, and merely a stone?s throw from the urban concrete expanse of Surat, D?WELL has found its new home. Originally a farmer?s abode, this four-decade-old structure has been meticulously transformed into a minimalistic office space where ideas are conceptualized, celebrated, and nurtured.

Founders Jhanvi and Rakshit envisioned a workspace deeply immersed in nature, featuring a courtyard where one could hear birds chirping and sit under trees to ponder. As designers, they sought a space that embodied spatial freedom and inspiration, believing there was no better place to find this than in nature itself.
Guided by their design ethos, “If it tells a story, it is art,” they sensitized themselves to the house?s heritage, past, and context. Despite the house?s dilapidated state, the old load-bearing structure possessed an uncanny charm. Determined to preserve its essence, the designers adopted a gentle approach, building upon the existing architectural language without breaking down the original structure or making drastic changes to its finishes.

The main living...