The Retreat is a community of 23 weekend homes on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. The units are clustered in pairs around a verdant open space accommodating a clubhouse, swimming pool, deck and lawn. The architecture and landscape come together in a manner that gives one a sense of having discovered a clearing in a thicket of trees. The naturalness of the landscape contrasts with the straight edges of the buildings and plot, with edgeless boundaries that subtly demarcate the public and private open spaces while maintaining the privacy of the residential units. Rugged natural materials inspired by the locally construction practices have been used that will age gracefully over time.