Saar Pool & Spa: Underground Pool and Spa for a Private Residence in Ahmedabad

During a time when many people are spending far more time at home, having an on-site pool and spa transforms daily life. The Saar Pool & Spa for a Private Residence, designed by Vastu Shilpa Consultants in Ahmedabad, India, turns an existing contemporary house into a wellness-focused retreat by adding a carefully planned underground level. This new floor integrates a long lap pool, a gym and a central spa, creating a cohesive interior oasis that balances exercise, relaxation and privacy.

The centerpiece is a luminous spa volume set within the pool, its ribbed glass louvers giving the structure the appearance of a bright white lantern floating on the water. That spa is both sculptural and functional: louvers diffuse sunlight, control privacy and soften the connection with the pool environment. The lantern-like form anchors the underground level visually and creates a calm focal point around which circulation and activity are organized.

Access to the underground level is thoughtfully arranged with multiple entries that bring natural light and movement to the space. A stair from the main house opens directly to a stone slab beside the pool, while another stair connects a gym area to the spa and pool deck. These openings do more than provide circulation — they admit daylight and frame views, reducing the feeling of being below grade while creating an intimate, sheltered ambiance. Carefully placed recessed lighting complements the daylight, enhancing the serene atmosphere for evening use.

The material palette is deliberately restrained. Exposed concrete planes, gray granite slabs and warm wooden framing produce a modern minimal aesthetic that reads as both rigorous and welcoming. Concrete and stone provide durable, low-maintenance surfaces suited to a humid pool environment, while wood accents add tactile warmth and human scale. Together these materials create a refined backdrop for the water and the spa volume.

The redesign also includes a revisited entrance sequence that elevates the sense of arrival. A large pivoting steel door and a custom waiting area provide a comfortable transition between outdoors and the more private amenities below. This new threshold reinforces the home’s contemporary character while making the underground amenities feel integrated rather than additive.

Functionally, the underground level is conceived for everyday wellbeing. The lap pool supports exercise, the adjacent gym provides a practical complement, and the central spa offers restorative relaxation. Together these elements allow homeowners to maintain fitness routines, recover after workouts and simply enjoy a private retreat without leaving the property — an advantage that has become especially meaningful in recent months.

Beyond its program, the design demonstrates careful attention to light, privacy and material resilience. Ribbed glass controls exposure while admitting diffuse light; recessed lighting enhances mood after dark; stone and concrete ensure longevity in a wet environment. The result is an underground pool and spa that feels spacious and luminous rather than enclosed, a modern minimal sanctuary that enriches the life of the home.

The design plan, included below, reveals how these elements are organized to make efficient use of the underground footprint while preserving clear circulation and visual connections. The Saar Pool & Spa addition is a strong example of how thoughtful architecture can expand a home’s program without compromising privacy, light or material quality — creating a daily-use retreat that feels at once luxurious and understated.

[Photography: Vinay Panjwani]