Editor’s Note: Some homes are created to slow life down and bring everyday living closer to nature. Malay, set within a lush township on the outskirts of Pune, creates a quiet retreat where rustic materials and modern comfort come together with ease. Red brick, rough plaster, raw wood, exposed concrete, and Kota stone give the home a warm, tactile character, while large openings and sliding doors blur the boundary between the interiors and the garden. An open plan connects the living, dining, kitchen, and veranda, creating a natural flow towards the outdoors. With a relaxed family lounge, garden-facing balcony, and carefully integrated details, Malay shows how simplicity can create a home that feels both grounded and timeless. ~ Yashika Bajaniya
Malay represents more than just a residential structure. It grew from a close partnership between the architect and the client. The project sits within a lush green township on the outskirts of Pune. The designers envisioned it as a respite from the pace of the city. Malay brings these aspirations to life as a home designed for laid-back evenings. It offers a quiet setting where the family can unwind and connect with the beauty of nature.
Malay is a Rustic Pune Home Shaped by Nature and Material Expression | .Cornerstone works Pvt. Ltd.
Materiality plays a pivotal role in Malay’s unique aesthetic, which masterfully blends rustic design with modern conveniences. While the space planning remains simple, the creative use of materials gives Malay its distinct character. The exterior combines striking red brick with rough plaster, creating a bold yet respectful contrast against the dense green backdrop. Metal elements and seasoned raw wood add further texture to the façade. These materials come together at the first-floor balcony, strengthening the visual character of the exterior.
This choice allows the house to stand out without disrupting the inherent architecture of its natural surroundings. Exposed concrete ceilings introduce an industrial character to the interiors. Rough Kota flooring and solid wood finishes balance this aesthetic with warmth and texture. Their distinct grain patterns add a rustic character to the home. The designers also introduce exposed concrete as part of the material palette. This approach required careful planning of services and lighting to avoid the need for false ceilings. The design celebrates the natural textures of brick, concrete, and wood throughout the home. Together, these materials create a sense of simplicity without compromising sophistication.
The designers shape Malay around an open plan that creates a seamless flow between the interiors and outdoors. They move away from traditional boundaries that separate the home from its surroundings. Instead, the layout allows spaces to flow naturally into one another. On the ground floor, the living room connects directly with the kitchen and dining area. These spaces extend into a spacious veranda that strengthens the connection with the outdoors. A traditional jhula adds a relaxed touch to this shared outdoor space. This transition leads directly into an expansive garden, creating a continuous living canvas.
To facilitate this connection, we employed large sliding doors and windows, which act as transparent thresholds that invite an abundance of natural light and cooling breezes to permeate every corner of the inner sanctum The villa is strategically oriented to use the spaces of the garden, both its own and that of the adjoining home to retain a feeling of unbounded openness.
Since space constraints did not allow for an independent courtyard, we reworked courtyard elements into the staircase well. Using elements such as Jaisalmer stone and the exterior red brick façade, a pendant chandelier and jute furniture, we ensured that the courtyard experience was not entirely missed.
Within these social spaces of the house, there is a careful balance of focus. The modern kitchen, chic and highly functional, features an extended island table designed for the intimacy of quick breakfasts and casual morning conversations. While the kitchen maintains an inward-looking, efficient character, the adjacent spacious dining area is oriented outwards, offering an uninterrupted view of the garden’s changing hues. Solid wood finishes that run through entire home continue in the kitchen as well in combination with a contemporary quartz countertop.
The transition to the upper reaches of the home is mediated by a staircase crafted with solid wood elements, a choice that celebrates the raw, tactile beauty of natural materials. In comparison to the ground floor, the first floor offers a more intimate and private retreat. This level is dedicated to the rhythms of family life, centered around a lounge area specifically designed for unhurried mornings, long coffees and everyday moments that define a home.
The upper floor houses two master bedrooms. Built in and customised pieces of furniture are integrated into both master bedrooms linked by a generous shared balcony that overlooks the lush garden below.
For the designers at Cornerstone Works, the realization of Malay is a testament to their core philosophy: that simplicity is not merely an aesthetic choice, but a fundamental and lasting design principle. Malay reinforces our foundational belief that “simplicity promises timelessness”. In an era of fleeting trends, Malay stands as a quiet, powerful reminder that the most enduring designs are those that focus on the essentials of light, air, and material.
Malay is an experience of the best of both worlds, where the rugged charm of a rustic retreat meets the effortless functionality of a modern residence. By prioritizing the seamless integration of architecture and landscape, Malay becomes more than a house—it becomes a timeless symphony of space and soul.
Fact File
Designed by: Cornerstone works Pvt. Ltd.
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: ‘Malay’
Location: Pune
Year Built: 2026
Duration of the project: 15 Months
Built-up Area: 3200 Sqft
Principal Architect: Ar. Sumit Dakhawe
Team Design Credits: Aniket Kulkarni & Pallavi Shidhaye
Photograph Courtesy: studio_colourblind
Interior Styling: altrove.in
Firm’s Instagram Link: Cornerstone works Pvt. Ltd.
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