Nestled in the foothills of the Shivalik range, the Himalayas is our latest project, Ekasham — a private residence refurbishment and redevelopment project, spread across an area of 2177 sqm. The monolithic home, through its volumes, composed of old and new structures, merges into a singular silhouette evoking the presence of a monolith from which the project derives its name.
Editor’s Note: Ekasham is a calm and grounded home that blends effortlessly into its natural setting. Soft forms and quiet corners bring a sense of ease, while open spaces invite connection. The atmosphere feels warm and peaceful, offering a gentle rhythm to everyday living. ~ Isha Bora
This Monolithic Home in the Himalayas Evokes a Singular Silhouette | Portal 92
Woven into the fabric of the existing structure is a sanctuary for rest and rejuvenation, discreetly tucked towards the rear on the ground level. The spatial character is defined by its softness, as the nude walls and ceiling gently merge into one another, emulating the texture of one’s skin.
At its heart, a gently curving wall meanders through the space, carving alcoves that house various programs of the spa and lounge. The massage room reinterprets the space required for a traditional Indian massage, where one’s body is closer to the ground.
The middle level houses two bedrooms and studies, whose distinct palettes speak to their inhabitants’ individuality. This contrast finds equilibrium in the shared lounge, attempting to create a dialogue between the two spaces. The terrace level reveals itself as an expansive, open plan, entertainment and hosting area, where indoor and outdoor realms effortlessly flow into one another.
The indoor area, conceived as a gaming retreat, is anchored by a flowing wall clad in Gwalior Mint on one end and a built-in bar on the other. Underfoot, a dark olive microtopping floor is embedded with brass inlays and contrasting tones. Sometimes serving as divisions and other times as an invitation to gather around the poker table.
A large, low-height, cushioned surface was built and made impervious to even vigorous movement. Adjacent to it, a bench offers a quiet utility, clad with porcelain to resist oil absorption.
A seamless circular hot tub anchors the space, sheathed in kit-kat tiles and stone, with a custom drain detail with dual-slots to control spillage.
In the midst of subdued tones, a Brushed Stainless Steel ceiling hovers above the steam room, quietly asserting its presence. Across the ground level, these Kit-Kat tiles serve as a delicate tactile string, skimming and punctuating the in-situ works.
The outdoor realm is a fluid social landscape, articulated through in-situ seating in varied configurations, with multiple nodes for gathering. Here, the microtopped floor occasionally gives way to patterns composed of acrylic inlays, echoing the softness of rugs in an exterior environment.
The use of stone chips and local plants creates a natural landscape. This seamlessly blends with a circular fireplace and a barbecue station. The horticulture intent for the project was to achieve an asymmetrical rhythm, with various species native to the Indian foothills
Fact File
Designed by: Portal 92
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Ekasham House
Location: Paonta Sahib, Himachal Pradesh
Year Built: 2025
Built-up Area: 23433 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Aanchal Sawhne & Sagar Goyal
Team Design Credits: Aanchal Sawhney, Sagar Goyal, Adrijaa Bhuyan, Astha Verma
Photograph Courtesy: Niveditaa Gupta
Manufacturers: ART N GLASS, Casa Aurum, Mobel Grace, Morii Designs, Nimrat Narang, Opulo, Stem, Stone X, Surface & Design Studio, Tagels, VitrA, White Lighting Solutions
Text: Sagar Goyal, Shreya Parinam, Vanshika Chadha
Mep /Hvac Consultant: Sophic Designs
Mill Work And Furniture: Mobelgrace
Hot Tub, Pool Consultant: Mangwaal Pool & Spa
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: Portal 92
Firm’s Instagram Link: Portal 92
For Similar Project >>> House of Silhouettes Reflects Contemporary Modern Architecture
“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 contemporary courtyard house is designed within constraints that often give rise to the most creative solutions. This residence, nestled in a landlocked plot flanked by development on three sides, represents a unique architectural intervention that turns limitation into opportunity. The client’s vision was both unusual and ambitious: to create a twin house under one […]
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 […]