The site is located on the outskirts of bustling Mumbai, in the quiet of the Sahyadri hills. The sweeping views of the Western Ghats in almost any direction are the highlight of this otherwise simple parcel of land. The capturing and framing of these picturesque landscapes were the primary inspiration behind the design. The disruptive architecture manages to create spaces of varying scales – from monumental to cozy – while integrating into the home the nature that surrounds it.
The arrival is planned at the highest level under a large canopy that appears like a wing, framing the first glimpse of this home in the clouds. The floating lotus pond at the entrance, often engulfed in mist, offers a breath of fresh air after the long drive out from Mumbai.
The structure is a simple intersection between concrete and metal. The resulting interstitial spaces translate into courtyards of various scales that may be habitable or simply serve as vantage points. Two parallel concrete walls act as the main axes cutting across the house and seamlessly connecting the three intersecting blocks which serve the respective functions of public, private, and recreation. Materials have been strategically planned for the various blocks – glass and steel for the public spaces, and slate stone for the private spaces – both anchored into the concrete spine. All the load-bearing walls on site have been built using stones found during excavation. The high ceilings, large corridors, and windows placed across each other keep the house cool and ventilated, allowing air to continuously funnel through.
Large sliding windows bring the outside in, seamlessly integrating the natural landscape with the house. Broad overhangs, verandahs, and the partially covered swimming pool make spaces usable despite the region’s extreme weather conditions. The rubric of the various levels of the house is derived from the natural terracing of the land. The suspended metal block and the cantilevered southern tip allow the natural terrain to flow under it uninterrupted.
The success of the architecture lies in the fact that with every corner you turn, the drama of the house and the view it captures change and move along with you. The structure is an ode to the beauty of the mountains that surround it.
Design Credits: This project was designed by Apoorva Shroff during her time with reD Architects. Apoorva has now founded her own studio, lyth Design.
Photographs Courtesy: Fabien Charuau
Connect Online: www.lythdesign.com
