search

This Cabin House Is a Sanctuary in a Remote Natural Setting | Studio Archohm

Almost everyone is seduced by the idea of a refuge in a natural setting on a mountain by a river. Idyllic locations where accessibility is hard, a small cabin in the form of a cocooning sanctuary adapting to the landscape, a respite from the daily chaos of urban living. Be it in a forest, a rural setting, on a mountain, or near water, being remote is of the essence. The monsoon cabin house is built in a carefully chosen location, which not only keeps away from farming land and woodland but also has limited access to transportation. The challenge of constructing and living remotely adds to the charm of this seemingly inaccessible space.

Editor’s Note: “Embodying the philosophy of ‘Dream Big, Build Small,’ the Monsoon Cabin, nestled in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, is a sanctuary that merges into its remote and natural surroundings. Simple and functional, this cabin provides leafy shelter against rain and connects people back to nature. Minimal design, sustainable materials, and sensory goals create an open space to unwind and experience.” ~ Anusha Sridhar

This Cabin House Is a Sanctuary in a Remote Natural Setting | Studio Archohm

cabin house

Site

As the crow flies, 135 km from Mumbai and 54 km from Pune, the monsoon cabin sits on a virgin estate on the western ghats in the state of Maharashtra, India. Also known as the Sahyadris, older than the Himalayan range, the Ghats feature a unique biosphere and they influence the Indian monsoon weather pattern. These gentle green hills and low mountains run for more than 1,600 kilometers along India’s southwestern coast. The Ghats act as a key barrier, intercepting the rain-laden monsoon winds that sweep in from the south-west during late summer.

cabin house

Located on the windward side of the range, the site moderates the tropical climate of the region and showcases one of the best examples of the monsoon system on the planet. Along the site, flows the holy Indrayani River originating from a village nearby in the Sahyadri mountains. Fed by rain, it flows east through Hindu pilgrimage centers making it one of the most sacred rivers of the state. Therefore the orographic monsoon rain and the river, form the primary design consideration of the cabin.

cabin house

Rain is an incredible sensory experience. It’s relaxing to watch and hear raindrops fall in seemingly random patterns. The cabin embraces the rain while offering protection, all within its compact 140 sq. m. of space. Greens all around, in the hills and the ground form the visual melange of this object in space. The cabin features a modest single-storeyed structure with a stacked A-frame box on top, facing the riverview of the site. It is conscious of its footprint, building only what is necessary on this untouched terrain.

cabin house

Ground Floor and Upper Floor

The ground floor features an open kitchen and living room with windows that frame panoramic views of the terrain. A guest room is at the entrance corner to afford a certain degree of privacy. The staircase in the middle anchors the living space, with a folded wooden staircase on one side acting like a mini seating and ascending into a half spiral metal stairway to access the master suite above. The Living room features fun furniture that adds a smile and lends a unique experience of viewing the scenery or reading a book. The kitchen is a single-wall cantilever feature with basic amenities curated into a single slab.

As one makes its way to the upper floor, a unique scale unfolds. A single-bedroom suite with a bed and bath that seamlessly opens up to alternate views of the meandering river. Skylights dot the sleeping space to not only bring sunlight into the interior but also allow a feast of stargazing at dusk. The space remains minimal and restrained, embracing an almost ascetic aesthetic. The cabin revolves around moments, choreographed to blend seamlessly with the scenic landscape outside. One can sit by oneself and enjoy the rain or can sit together and watch the rain. One can lounge, sleep, cook, eat, bathe, and be one with nature. The cabin affords all sensory experiences deprived in today’s modern urban life.

cabin house

Materials 

The cabin’s materiality holds functionality and maintenance at the core. The structure is made of steel with metal sheets cladding the insulated cement walls, for high durability against the challenging weather conditions of rain and winds. The interiors are fluidly blended in with the architectural ensemble. The metal sheet continues on the inside as a weathered choice for a rain-prone site. Part industrial, part rustic, the metal is in sharp contrast with the greens outside yet complemented by the neutrality of the matt black floor and light wooden ceilings and in-built furniture on the inside, which lift the mood of the space. During the day, no artificial light is needed due to the reflective interior surfaces. During nighttime, mindful lighting is uplifted by the mirrored metal.

cabin house

Why do creatives build cabins?

Going off the grid is seemingly higher for creative professionals – designers, architects, photographers, filmmakers, and artists. Creative people often seek to “get away” for inspiration. The architecture of these spaces focuses on the surroundings—the landscapes they inhabit. Whether it’s the seaside jewels of Villa E1027 by Eileen Gray or the modest wooden cabana by Le Corbusier in South France, the design revolves around the environment. No matter the scale, one can make meaning of space. And in this case, even a cabin could become a world heritage site.

Dream Big, Build Small 

In 2022, on an annual architecture tour to Scandinavia, I saw a ‘tiny’ house read summer cabin – designed by BIG Architects (ironic) x LiveKlien at the Utzon Architecture Centre in Aalborg. The key takeaway was – “Dream big, Build Small”. this holds particularly true for building in remote locations, where people invest in large villas and farmhouses to capitalize on the retreat concept. If we continue building the way we do, we risk losing all sanctuaries to escape to. Why must we build more than necessary?

Fact File

Designed byStudio Archohm

Project Type: Residential Architecture Design

Project Name: The Monsoon Cabin

Location: Kanhe, Maharashtra

Year Built: 2024

Project Size: 1400 Sq.ft

Principal Architect: Ar. Sourabh Gupta

Photograph Courtesy: bizou.photos

Design: Mridu Sahai Patnaik, Partner

Detail Design And Execution: Rajdatta Dewang, Design Search Studio, Jay Mali & Prashant Komnak, Diosity

Source: Archdaily

Firm’s Website Link: Studio Archohm

The Firm’s Instagram Link: Studio Archohm

Firm’s Facebook Link: Studio Archohm

For Similar Projects >> A Climate Responsive Courtyard House In Kerala With An Earthy Palette And Natural Materials

This House Incorporates Persian Design with Minimal Luxury | Rajkumar Architects

The house incorporates elements of Persian design while adhering to a minimalist luxury motif.  The concept is a deep journey with luxury as its language, seclusion as its promise, and functionality as its cornerstone. Known as the princess of Jaipur, it pirouettes in response to outside visual cues such as curves and smooth edges. A modern […]

Read More

This Urban Residence Pairs Clean Lines with a Minimalist House Design Interior | Studio Rudrang

The house showcases a modern three-story residence exemplifying contemporary architectural design through its clean lines, geometric volumes, and a balanced interplay of materials. The facade skillfully combines textured tile cladding, smooth plaster, and contrasting color blocks in neutral shades of gray, black, and earthy rust, adding visual depth and dynamism. Expansive glass panels framed in […]

Read More

House of Silhouettes Reflects Contemporary Modern Architecture | Shaunak Singh and Associates

House of Silhouettes is located in Navratan, Udaipur. The plot is a corner one facing north and west 60’x40′ with a built-up area of 6500 sq.ft., designed in contemporary modern architecture as an independent house at three levels, including terrace. House of Silhouettes Reflects Contemporary Modern Architecture | Shaunak Singh and Associates This contemporary residence […]

Read More

Visamo is An Expression of Luxury Modern Bungalow Design | Prashant Parmar Architect | Shayona Consultants

Nestled in the upscale neighborhood of Naranpura, Ahmedabad, Visamo is a south-facing NRI bungalow that redefines luxury modern bungalow design through a seamless blend of contemporary architecture and biophilic design. Spanning a 7,330 sq. ft. plot with 10,000 sq. ft. of built-up area, this residence is a heartfelt homecoming for a young couple returning to […]

Read More

This Contemporary Home Style Blends Timelessness with Adaptability | Studio A+D

The client envisioned a quiet contemporary residence within the dense urban fabric—a contemporary home style that balances modern aesthetics with a lived-in warmth. Functionality, spatial fluidity, and a strong connection with nature were prioritized. The home was to accommodate a multigenerational family, enabling both communal and private moments without compromising on light, ventilation, or spatial […]

Read More

Farmhouse Designs in India: 15 Inspiring Styles To Know

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 […]

Read More

This Tropical Home Design Features A Striking Sloped Terracotta Roof In Kerala | Vriksha Architects

Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]

Read More

50 Indian Door Design For Main Door To Enhance the Curb Appeal

The door design for main door is a defining feature of any Indian home, embodying both style and cultural significance. In a country rich with diverse architectural traditions, the entrance to your home reflects not only personal taste but also cultural heritage. Whether you’re drawn to the intricate carvings of traditional Indian door designs or […]

Read More

50 Best Pillar Design Ideas And Inspirations For Indian Spaces

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 […]

Read More

This Simple Farmhouse Design Responds To The Climate And Site | Dipen Gada & Associates

This simple farmhouse design is a humble residence that responds to the climate and site. It is a fun fact that the house is both an inward and outward looking house at the same time. One of the USPs of the simple farmhouse design project would be that it connects well with the most playful […]

Read More
  • This Multi-Generational Home Captures the Spirit of Indian Arts in a Modern Context | Temple Town

    Peel and Stick Wall Tile Mosaic: Bringing Effortless Charm into Any Space