Raw, earthy and rooted in nature, the Sienna House is a weekend home that draws inspiration from its surrounding. Located 90 km from Mumbai in Khopoli, Maharashtra, the house is perched on a tableland, 1200 ft above sea level, against the backdrop of the Western Ghats. One of the first houses in the upcoming Serenity Villas and Farms development, this house by SAGI Architects is designed to set the architectural character for the rest of the plots. The visual and spatial characteristics of the weekend home creates a sense of openness and transparency that allow its inhabitants to connect with nature.
Editor’s note: Smeared in the colors of its native soil, Sienna House is a treat to all the senses. It receives a constant dose of affection from the astounding nature around it, the vast and deep blue sky, and the grasslands. The through-and-through openness of the spaces makes it taste the flavor of absolute freedom. Immersed in local everything, the design inculcations are physical personifications of a country themed song. ~ Nishal Sevak
The Visual and Spatial Characteristics of the Weekend Home Creates a Sense of Openness | Sagi Architects
The house sits on a portion of land carved out on the 1.5-acre plot – creating a defined, intimate space for the family. A 4 ft-high wall made from the local laterite stones defines the boundary of this ‘plot within a plot.’
Three rectangular masses are arranged on the inner plot to develop a simple layout of three bedrooms, a living area, and a kitchen along with expansive open spaces.
With warm, muted walls and reddish-brown Mangalore tiles, the Sienna House blends effortlessly into its backdrop.
A driveway from the road on the south leads to the entrance of the home, which extends into an expansive 375 sq. ft-pavilion.
This layout is the largest possible configuration of the modular plan. The grid-based layout allows for a similar arrangement that can be replicated on other plots in the development. By eliminating a block or two, the house can be easily configured to design a studio, one- or two-bedroom home.
On the east-west axis of the house are the most intimate spaces – the swimming pool and the deck that tie the rest of the areas together.
To create this modular grid, the house is a composite of pre-fabricated structural steel and load-bearing walls, cutting down on construction costs and time. Built by local villagers, the Sienna House uses locally-sourced materials and construction techniques, providing avenues of work for the locals.
The design uses simple geometry and expansive open spaces to reimagine a pavilion-style home that responds to the climate and site conditions.
The house is envisioned as an inward-looking sanctuary for a family that loves spending time with each other as much as hosting their loved ones. The design strikes a balance between the natural and built spaces.
Flanked by the living room, bedrooms and kitchen – the pavilion houses the dining area and overlooks the pool which doubles as a space for parties and private music events. The staff quarters are located outside the inner plot boundary, ensuring privacy yet proximity to the house.
Bringing the earthy and raw colours and textures indoors, the interiors are furnished with warm hues of yellow, grey and blue. The living room and bedrooms are clutter-free, focusing on the biophilic design elements to foster a connection with nature.
The minimal, English-style furniture is made of natural pinewood as an expression of the client’s fondness for classic pieces. Nature makes its way into every corner of the home.
Full-height windows towards the north and lofty ceilings fill the house with natural light while minimising heat gain and promoting cross-ventilation. Each bathroom extends to a semi-open alley, offering an experience that the city typically does not.
The landscape undertakes a sustainable approach, minimising the need for excessive gardening in a region with a low groundwater table. Local, indigenous shrubs and palms are a part of the inner plot, enveloping the house in greens.
Over a period of time, either natural vegetation or fruit orchards and vegetable gardens will make up the landscape of the rest of the plot. Boulders from a nearby excavation are brought to the site to add to the rustic and raw charm of the house. The Sienna House is an honest manifestation of a weekend retreat that provides open spaces to its inhabitants and a connection to nature.
Fact File
Designed by: Sagi Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Sienna House
Location: Khopoli, Maharashtra
Year Built: August 2022
Duration of the project: January 2021 to August 2022
Plot Area: 1.5 Acres (Approx. 65500 Sq.ft)
Built-up Area: 2500 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ar. Akash Dudhe
Team Design Credits: Ar. Milan Jain & Ar. Ashish Gavand
Photograph Courtesy: Ruhma Ukaye (Instagram)
Photograph Courtesy: Ruhma Ukaye (Website)
Products / Materials / Vendors: Lighting – True Light / Sanitaryware – Hindware, Jaguar/ Furniture – Indoor – Custom Made and Ikea, Outdoor – Higold / Flooring – Stone Casa / Paint – Asian Paints / Artefacts – Golden Triangle
Firm’s Website Link: Sagi Architects
Firm’s Instagram Link: Sagi Architects
Firm’s Facebook Link: Sagi Architects
For Similar Projects >> A House Where Design Can Bring in Lots of Sunshine
“Viraam,” a 4000 sq ft house design that embodies its literal translation: “a pause.” The vision is to create a sanctuary for relaxation, introspection, and to escape from the constant demands of daily life – an urban void for personal retreat. This 4000 sq ft House Design Unfolds Calm Lifestyle | Avani Mudra Design Reimagining […]
The facade of this Indian contemporary house design strikes a careful balance between solids and voids, with sculpted forms that reveal the inner workings of the space. The design plays with light and shadow, creating visual depth and intrigue from the exterior. The form resembles a cuboid that has been scooped out, while the outer […]
This 5 storey building takes inspiration from ancient haveli architecture. “Hailing from north India, the family held deep nostalgia for haveli, large residences with communal courtyards called chowks, projecting balconies called jharokhas and intricate brick or stone lattice screens called jaalis, vernacular to many western and northern regions of India,” said SJK Architects partner Vaishali […]
Set in the serene landscape of Nashik, the Dabholkar Residence by GDA is a home, embracing stone clad walls. Here, tradition and contemporary design exist in harmony. Designed to reflect the family’s deep connection to tradition and art while embracing the style of contemporary living, it is a space where architectural details, heritage furniture, artwork […]
This remodelling project aimed to revitalise a load-bearing house while respecting its original integrity and adapting it to contemporary needs. The design approach prioritised minimal structural intervention, allowing the existing framework to guide spatial reconfiguration. Careful consideration was given to preserving the load-bearing walls, which formed the backbone of the original construction. Openings were strategically […]
Redefining Indian temple architecture, the relocation of the existing shrine due to a new residential project presented an opportunity to design a space that seamlessly integrates tradition with contemporary needs. The given 400 sq. ft. site was envisioned not merely as a shrine to Lord Datta, a local deity, but as a vibrant community space, […]
Nestled within a 30×40 ft plot is the compact house design in Banashankari 6th Stage, Bengaluru. This residence for the Ellappans, reimagines traditional Indian living in a contemporary, spatially dynamic form. Designed for a family of three- Mr. Ellappan, his wife, and their teenage son- the house expresses a deep connection to vernacular roots while […]
This multi generational home is a testament to the ability of the design practice to blend aesthetic appeal with practical functionality. Keeping environmental sustainability and the welfare of the community at the forefront, Bhowal designed a home that was truly ahead of its time. His visionary approach and the Design Consortium’s expertise in providing a […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]
Pillar design is a cornerstone of architectural elegance, seamlessly blending structural support with aesthetic appeal. Our blog, “50 Best Pillar Design Inspirations,” celebrates this essential element, showcasing a variety of styles from classical Doric and Ionic to contemporary and avant-garde innovations. Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, or a design enthusiast, these pillar design inspirations […]