Nature is full of inspiration for Architects-from conical trees to sloping mountains, from hexagons of bee-hives to motifs of ferns. The first visit the Architect made to see the site changed all pre-conceived ideas about the form this house should take. Located on an elevated hill slope, overlooking the ‘Ganges’ river as it turned around a bend, the unbridled energy of the gushing river became the one constant inspiration, and the form of the house attempts. to reflect some of that raw energy.
Designed as a holiday home on the Haridwar-Rishikesh route, it helped the Architect to be working with olds clients who shared a passion for design, and also trusted him enough to embark on this radical design. The requirements of the house were simple-three bedroom suites and enough informal spaces to lounge around with family and friends and soak in the virgin territory all. around. The ‘Rishikesh House’ is an outstanding example of the combination of a brave, ingenious Architect and an open-minded client.Nature is full of inspiration for Architects-from conical trees to sloping mountains, from hexagons of bee-hives to motifs of ferns. The first visit the Architect made to see the site changed all pre-conceived ideas about the form this house should take. Located on an elevated hill slope, overlooking the ‘Ganges’ river as it turned around a bend, the unbridled energy of the gushing river became the one constant inspiration, and the form of the house attempts. to reflect some of that raw energy.
Designed as a holiday home on the Haridwar-Rishikesh route, it helped the Architect to be working with olds clients who shared a passion for design, and also trusted him enough to embark on this radical design. The requirements of the house were simple-three bedroom suites and enough informal spaces to lounge around with family and friends and soak in the virgin territory all. around. The ‘Rishikesh House’ is an outstanding example of the combination of a brave, ingenious Architect and an open-minded client.

The form of the house reflects the raw, unbridled energy of the gushing river. This elevation has the patential of being subject to an unsanctioned beauty contest The building is ambitious from architectural perspective while at the same time honest in its purpose and sensitive towarh its context. Having uied different widths, heights and shapes with rigorosng with rigorosa geometry, the structure looks interesting, witty, han & soulptural under the persuasive chinel of the Architect-almost like Thigh modem art. Ispite of the fact that typically material in always subservient to form, the concrete adds to the distinctive impact of the dynamic structure, a one material that binds the exteriors together. All living spaces are directed towards the river, perfectly placeil to respond to key river views. never idistracted from the natural splendour. The glass dissives the interiors inte the sittoundings allowing the occitants to drink the river view in.

The master suite along with its en-suite bathroom (and outdoor court with outdoor shower) is located to one side of the living room.
Through a long glazed corridor lined with a grove of bamboo trees, one accesses the bedrooms and TV lounge on the other side. This glazed corridor is contained between the river facing bedrooms on one side, and the retaining wall holding up the bermed soil that conceals the presence of the spa tucked to one side of the entrance walls. A small court ensures enough natural light while offering total privacy to its users.
In keeping with the location and form of the house, the Architect played along with natural materials and finishes inside. Ceilings throughout are in form finished concrete, as are most retaining walls. Remaining walls are in white painted unplastered bricks or random rubble masonry. The flooring throughout the public and circulation areas is in textured ochre coloured sandstone, while the bedrooms are finished in timber. Bathrooms too are clad in local stones or teak timber, and custom solid teak wood furniture along with linen and cotton furnishings is used throughout the house.
This house gives up more and more of itself as you delve into it. The Architect has organised the scale, the space and the finishes of this place with the deft touch of a champion. Drawing inspiration from the spectacular outdoors & the river, he incorporates natural elements into the story of the house. Invoking cutting edge architecture and an adventurous design spirit, the Architect comes up trumps in crafting the ‘Rishikesh House’ as a blissful weekend refuge to its occupants, sitting in a sumptuous natural setting with a front view seat in God’s carnival.