Ever so often in a house, the architecture dominates and life is semi-banished; it’s the other way round in this home.
Designed by architects who are on top of their game, this hill station abode demonstrates how good architecture and design expertise combined with a vast experience which reads more like a success story, can convert a simple piece of land into an exquisite piece of architecture, albeit fulfilling its purpose to the core.
Located on a compact 15,000 SFT site in the picturesque hill-station of Khandala, this private weekend getaway for an active nuclear young family of four was envisioned as a series of two intersecting linear pavilions bridging at the center of the site. This creates a clear fore-court towards the street side and a more private landscaped garden court towards the rear with a view towards the valley. Emphasis is laid on the creation of recreational outdoor and indoor spaces at the rear of the house while the two wings encompass the private rooms and the living and dining spaces that integrate with the garden court. A mezzanine floor floats above the kitchen tucking itself within the dramatic roof volume and assumes an unobtrusive yet over viewing position.

The living & dining space, Kitchen and mezzanine-the artfully restrained interiors are a masterclass in understated beauty. The limited material palette has an aesthetic yet logical reasoning. The grey limestone flooring coupled with natural wood for windows are simple elegant materials which withstand the test of time and natural forces, The inexpensive Mangalore tiled roof is efficient in the climatic zone. The house enjoys ample natural light & air ventilation. A mezzanine floor floats above the kitchen tucking itself within the dramatic roof volume and assumes an unobtrusive yet overviewing position.

The region of heavy rainfalls and foggy monsoon called for light structure, more like a canopy allowing fresh air and minimizing damp spaces. The dramatically sloping pitched roof was the answer to the onslaught of rains coupled with a non complicated rainwater. drainage system. Existing full grown trees gave the design cue for the roof support and underlines the lightness of the space. The gradually sloping site created opportunity to maintain the main spaces of the house at one level while tucking in the utility and service spaces under this level at the rear end. The limited material palette had aesthetic yet logical reasoning
Grey limestone flooring coupled with natural wood for windows are simple elegant materials which withstand the test of time and natural forces. The Mangalore tiled roof is not only inexpensive and efficient in the climatic zone but also is a layer which breathes in the Khandala air, keeping its verandahs ambiently cool and emotionally warm. The valley facing orientation is site specific and taps the local air currents and views alike.

• The primary entrance to the house

• On entering the house, a pretty little wooden staircase on the right says hello & leads to the floating mezzanine floor. The lofty living area looks generous, warm and welcoming.

The lofty living & dining space looks generous, warm and welcoming. Inspite of the vast volume of this area, everything is so substantial yet cosy. The artfully restrained interiors are a masterclass in understated beauty. The living area has mare void, more emptiness than actual room which is achieved through a “less is more’ approach in the furniture and absence of unnecessary ornamentation. Apart from the roof tiles, everything in the house is white, wood or stone as the sparse material palette conveys a sense of a passage of time with a rudimentary down to earth appeal, appearing to shun the limelight. Under the aegis of the large dramatic sloping roof, the house looks clean, uncluttered and neat, with almost ascetic kind of minimal qualities. While the inside outside relationships are seamless under the canopy covered living rooms and delicate fenestration, the bedrooms have a more compact sense of enclosure. The muted house has its presence but aims to become a spiritual and creative space for its inhabitants giving each person of the family a space that they can further develop into their own.
Through their power of good design and pursuit of a single ordered aesthetic, the architects create the Khandala house as a remarkable weekend retreat for their clients, with a feel of monastic tranquility and refined modesty.

• The garden court in the rear of the house with a view towards the valley. The living, dining and private rooms integrate with the garden court.