SkyLight House | Khosla Associates
From the architect. Our picturesque site is located in the Western Ghats perched on the backwaters of a lake and surrounded by the Sahyadri mountain ranges.
Although they owned two acres of land, our client’s requirements were modest. They asked us to build a 2100 sqft single level pavilion as a retreat to escape the frenetic pace of Mumbai life and to reinvigorate the senses.
We envisioned a single level pavilion spatially subdivided into two primary zones; one for engagement with the view during the day and the other as a quiet retreat at night. The living spaces are extroverted and permeable allowing nature to penetrate its envelope; the private spaces are introverted and protected.
One of the challenges of the pavilion was to admit the right quality of natural light not only from the periphery but also into its internal volumes. To this end, we created a series of dramatic skylights to illuminate the internal spaces evenly. The angular shapes of the skylights were inspired by the looming profiles of the mountain peaks to the east and west of the house. Each of the skylights admits a soft quality of north light into the Living, kitchen, foyer, and bathrooms
The architecture is built from the readily available local black basalt stone which was found on the site just 5 to 6 feet below ground. The stone is of volcanic origin and available in abundance across the Deccan Plateau. We used the stone as a random dry pack cladding along the entire extent of the exterior walls and on a few internal accent walls.
The contoured land allowed us to work with the natural topography of the site. Rather than creating a split-level house to negotiate the slope, we created a retaining wall enclosure and a ramp alongside it to arrive at the entrance 3’-6” below.
We had to exercise a great deal of restraint in the furniture and accessories, choosing to customize each piece to be in harmony with the architectural intent. Accessories were all sourced from Maharashtra, brass and copper vessels from Nasik and Bidriware from Aurangabad.
The primary objective of the house was to absorb the natural environment,to open itself up to the view.But in doing so we had to remain cognizantof the physical presence and the environmental impact of our architecture on the hill.
Architects : Khosla Associates
Location: Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India
Principals : Sandeep Khosla and Amaresh Anand
Design Team : Sandeep Khosla, Amaresh Anand, Oommen Thomas, Pratyusha Suryakanth and Moiz Faizulla
Photographs : Shamanth Patil J.
source
Set within a lush expanse of land, this sculptural house by Pranav Patel Design Studio is a poetic exploration of light, landscape, and living. Designed as a contemporary haven rooted deeply in Indian sensibilities, the project brings together sculptural architecture, organic landscape planning, and vernacular craftsmanship to create a space that is both immersive and […]
A beautifully Designed twin villas Resort blends traditional charm with contemporary sophistication. A harmonious layout of twin elegant villas surrounds a lush central courtyard, creating a sense of community and openness. The soft beige façades, arched verandas, and warm ambient lighting exude a Mediterranean-inspired serenity, offering quests an inviting and tranquil atmosphere. These Twin Villas […]
Paati Veedu, located in southern India, began with the vision of an elderly grandmother (Paati) with Terminal Cancer, whose wish was to rebuild her ancestral home and spend herfinal years in a space she could call her own. The Site is located in the outskirts of Mayiladuthurai, in Southern India. Paati set the 1200 sq […]
Modern tropical residential architecture approach that balances openness, functionality, natural ventilation, and visual connectivity. The concept focuses on creating a warm family-oriented home with a strong connection to nature through courtyards, double-height volumes, and open planning. Natural materials, wooden textures, and soft neutral tones enhance the sense of comfort, while carefully planned spatial zoning ensures […]
Project Perch is a playschool that sits along a busy secondary road in a rapidly growing urban neighbourhood, where noise, traffic and constant movement dominate the surroundings. Designing a playschool in such a setting required the architects to prioritise safety, privacy, and controlled exposure for young children. This informed an inward-facing planning strategy that shields […]
Vault House is conceived as a contemporary tropical residence that balances raw materiality with warmth, openness, and family-centric living. Designed for a multi-generational family comprising a couple, their daughter, and parents, the house responds to a clear client vision: a home that is unique, user-friendly, and deeply connected to natural light, ventilation, and greenery. This […]
Tucked into a corner of a lush 2 acre plantation off the Kanchipuram highway, this farmhouse is a quiet ode to sustainability and serenity. Surrounded by thriving groves of coconut, mango, and orange trees, the site offered a natural canvas for a home that would dissolve gently into its surroundings of rural landscapes—grounded in place […]
Located in Udaipur– Rajasthan, this residential project enjoys a unique setting with panoramic views of Roop Sagar on one side and surrounding hills on the remaining three sides. The design brief focused on creating a modern and minimalist residence that exudes serenity and understated luxury. “The designers thoughtfully planned the house to include premium lifestyle […]
This residence is a sincere exploration of how architecture can remain simple, climate sensitive, cost-effective, and emotionally grounded, without compromising on spatial quality or design intent. Conceived as a 3BHK modest home for a small family, the project stands as a testament to what is possible when thoughtful planning, craft-oriented construction, and material intelligence come […]
Located in HMT Layout, Bangalore, Isha_Srinidhi Nilaya stands as a multi-generational home designed on a compact 60×40 ft (2400 sq. ft) East facing plot, with a total built-up area of 8000 sq. ft. East Facing a lush public park, the residence responds to its urban setting through a layered design that balances privacy with a […]