Nestled in the remote village of Chapar, Uttarakhand, a stunning mountain house design seamlessly blends into its natural surroundings while offering breathtaking views of the Himalayan range. Designed by Ātman Studio, this residence is a testament to thoughtful, context-driven architecture, where every element responds to the land, climate, and the lifestyle of its inhabitants. With views of the iconic Trishul and Nanda Devi peaks, the home is a sanctuary for Harsha and Pragya, a couple who left the city behind to embrace a quieter life in the mountains, along with their vigilant companion, Zozo, a dog who fiercely guards their abode from the region’s notorious monkey raids.
Editor’s Note: “In this mountain sanctuary, life is shaped by simplicity, honoring the land, the sun, and nature. Each beam and stone testifies to local intelligence while each view reaffirms the family’s dedication to a slower, richer way of life. This home is a gentle reminder that true belonging is not found in grandeur, but in peaceful connection with nature.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
This Mountain House Design Is A Reflection Of Inhabitants’ Lifestyle | Ātman Studio
The site is a picturesque blend of dense pine forests in the foreground and a scattering of ancient oak trees in the background, creating a rich, layered landscape. The design follows the natural contours of the land, strategically placing the structure to maximize both panoramic views and optimal sunlight exposure.
Given the cold winters, where temperatures can drop as low as 2°C, sunlight becomes an essential design consideration—welcomed generously in the colder months yet shielded from becoming oppressive during the summer.
The architecture of the house aligns with two fundamental elements—the northern Himalayan views and the sun’s trajectory. The orientation ensures that every room enjoys an uninterrupted view of the peaks, while the team positions the structure to harness warmth during winter and minimize heat gain in summer. They masterfully orchestrate the interplay of light, using double-height windows along the southern facade to flood the interiors with golden afternoon hues that reflect off the pinewood staircase and ceiling.
The home is deeply connected to its setting not only in spirit but in materiality. During excavation, stone from the site was repurposed for retaining walls, reinforcing a natural aesthetic. The roof, flooring, and doors were crafted from locally sourced pine and sal wood, infusing the home with warmth and rustic charm.
The ground floor features kadapa stone, coated with black kohl—a technique that helps absorb heat during the day and slowly radiate warmth through the night, a vital feature given the region’s frigid temperatures.
The 3-bedroom residence unfolds as a series of inviting, light-filled spaces. Each thoughtfully designed to enhance comfort and connection with nature. Two large balconies on the first floor offer uninterrupted Himalayan vistas. While, a sprawling verandah on the ground floor serves as the perfect spot to bask in the winter sun.
Inside, the home is divided into two distinct yet flowing living areas. A formal space for gatherings and an informal sunken lounge with low-height seating around a central fireplace. Creating a cozy retreat against the mountain chill. Moreover, the team strategically positions the dining area along the southern wall to benefit from ample sunlight throughout the day.
A harmonious balance between rustic and contemporary elements defines the home’s character. The use of traditional pinewood construction for the first floor and roof speaks to the vernacular craftsmanship of the region. Skylights above the bathrooms and wardrobe areas filter in soft natural light, adding a warm ambiance to intimate spaces. The guest bedroom is adorned with a striking random-rubble stone wall. It grounds the interior with a tactile connection to the landscape.
Building in the Himalayas comes with its own set of logistical hurdles. The home sits at an elevation of 6,000 feet above sea level, accessible only via a rugged, off-road drive. Transporting materials—especially large glass panels—was a meticulous process requiring strategic planning.
Additionally, given the limited availability of maintenance services in such a remote setting, the team designed the house with low upkeep in mind. Harsha took it upon himself to familiarize himself with the MEP systems. Further, the team ensures that minor fixes can be handled without relying on external help.
A Home with a Soul – more than just a structure, this house is a reflection of its inhabitants’ aspirations. A retreat where tranquility meets resilience, where the rhythm of nature dictates the pace of life. As the sun sets behind the peaks, painting the sky in hues of amber and rose, Zozo curls up by the fireplace. The perfect guardian of this mountain sanctuary. Every stone, every sunbeam, and every whispered breeze through the oaks profoundly conveys the essence of home. Eternal, just like the Himalayas themselves.
Fact File
Designed by: Ātman Studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Himāvasa
Location: Chapar, Uttarakhand
Year Built: 2023
Duration of the project: 2022-2023
Project Size: 4400 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ar. Satya Dev Chigurupati
Photograph Courtesy: Atik Bheda
Products / Materials / Vendors: Wallcovering / Cladding – mud plaster in certain areas / Construction Materials – brick, stone, concrete / Doors and Partitions – Sal Wood / Flooring – Pine wood
Consultants for the Project: Interior Designers – studio brado / Structure Engineers – Nehal Revankar / Contractors – Anand Mer
Firm’s Website Link: Ātman Studio
Firm’s Instagram Link: Ātman Studio
For Similar Projects >> Terrace House Design Attempts to be Distinct in a Dense Neighbourhood
Editors’ Note – This colonial house in Delhi carries an ambience of grandeur, infused with the elegance of Victorian-style colonialism. Expansive living, dining, and kitchen areas open into light-filled spaces framed by large glazing that connect seamlessly to the surrounding landscape. Inside, tropical interiors with bold geometry add a contemporary layer of comfort. The residence […]
“Hilltop House” is envisioned as a contemporary yet context-sensitive residential project that harmonizes architecture and interior design to create a sanctuary perched on a scenic elevation. The design will respond directly to the topography, climate, and panoramic views, while delivering a highly functional, comfortable, and aesthetically refined living environment. This Hilltop House in Indore Is […]
In the layered urban grain of Manjeri, the Timeless House reimagines a 1970s sloping roof residence through careful transformation. It’s a home that doesn’t shout for attention, but quietly repositions itself within its time and place, a sensitive reinterpretation of memory, material, and movement. Originally built in 1972, the house was structurally sound, featuring load-bearing […]
Editor’s Note: There’s something truly special about homes crafted with thought and care—where every corner and detail speaks to its users, becoming part of their memories. For siblings Akhila and Kaushik, Sona Reddy Studio brought this vision to life in One Summer House, a rustic farmhouse tucked within the vibrant city of Hyderabad. Designed with […]
This southwest-facing bungalow, with golden accents in its interiors, is a refined expression of contextual and climate-responsive modern architecture. The home embraces its orientation with an intelligent façade design that balances aesthetic appeal and environmental performance. With the sun’s harshest rays hitting the structure in the latter half of the day, the architects incorporated a […]
This North Facing villa opens towards the East to always soak in the cool and diffused light. Its orientation is mindful of the adjoining clubhouse and its expansive garden. The planning allows the villa’s private lawn to visually merge with it, creating a larger and cohesive space. With a connection to the open space at […]
An Urban Sanctuary Woven with Craft, Warmth, and Light Explicitly tucked into a quiet residential pocket, this home with a jaali facade is a thoughtfully layered expression of calm, character, and craftsmanship. Every surface and corner is rooted in intention — where light, material, and memory meet. The Jaali Design in this Layered Home Exudes […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]