The site is located on the outskirts of bustling Mumbai, in the quiet of the Sahyadri hills, where the house facade design blends into sweeping views of the Western Ghats in almost any direction—the highlight of this otherwise simple parcel of land.
Editor’s Note: “Perched in the hush of Western Ghats, Airavat Residence is a continuum of land, light, and nature. With each step forward revealing a new theme, scene, and angle, this house speaks the dialogue of mountains. Moreover, this house doesn’t just capture views; it becomes a part of the drama, offering joy, dreams, and peace.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
This House Facade Design Responds To The Simplicity of The Sahyadri Setting | Ar. Apoorva Shroff
The capturing and framing of these picturesque landscapes was the primary inspiration behind the design.
The disruptive architecture manages to create spaces of varying scales from monumental to cosy while it integrates 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 House in the Clouds. The floating lotus pond at the entrance offers a breath of fresh air after the long drive 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 form 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 of which get anchored into the concrete spine. All the load-bearing walls on site have been built using stones found on-site during excavation.
Large sliding windows manage to bring the outside in, seamlessly integrating the natural landscape with the house. Large overhangs, verandahs and the partially covered swimming pool make spaces usable despite the extreme weather conditions of the region.
The natural terracing of the land defines the rubric of the various levels of the house. The suspended metal block and the cantilevered southern tip allow for the natural terrain to flow under it uninterrupted.
The circulation works in a way that as you move through the house, you feel as though the house moves with you.
The success of the architecture lies in the fact that every corner you turn, the drama of the house and the view that it captures changes and moves along with you. The structure is an ode to the beauty of the mountains that surround it.
An ode to the beauty of the Sahyadris that surround it. Airavat’s success lies in the fact that every corner you turn, the drama of the house and the view that it captures changes and moves along with you.
Fact File
Designed by: Ar. Apoorva Shroff
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Airavat
Location: Khopoli Maharashtra, Mumbai
Project Size: 30,000 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ar. Apoorva Shroff
Photograph Courtesy: Fabien Charuau
Firm’s Website Link: Lyth Design
Firm’s Instagram Link: Lyth Design
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