Lonavala Houzz: This Home Stands Solid Yet Merges With Its Terrain
Perched on the edge of the Western Ghats, this bungalow by KDND Studio LLP is an idyllic mountain retreat
Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar
30 November 2020
Houzz India Contributor. Internationally published architecture, design and art journalist. www.mangomonk.com
Houzz India Contributor. Internationally published architecture, design and art journalist.... More
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family
Location: Lonavala, Maharashtra
Year built: 2019
Size: 604 square metres (6500 square feet); 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms
Principal architects: Anand Menon, Shobhan Kothari and Kiran Kapadia of KDND Studio LLP
Photos by PHX India | Sebastian + Ira
Enveloped by verdure and fresh air, and nestled in the very heart of Lonavala, this stark two-storey edifice melds into the rugged landscape around it.
“The house is like a play of Jenga blocks; its two volumes appear like a vertical stack and move downward, dissolving into the terrain. The design responds to the site and offers no obstructions, allowing the surroundings to hold their own against the built form. The blueprint ensured that the earth plan was recessed at floor height, such that on approach and entry into the plot, the views remained uninterrupted,” says Anand Menon, co-founder and principal architect of KDND Studio LLP.
Who lives here: A family
Location: Lonavala, Maharashtra
Year built: 2019
Size: 604 square metres (6500 square feet); 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms
Principal architects: Anand Menon, Shobhan Kothari and Kiran Kapadia of KDND Studio LLP
Photos by PHX India | Sebastian + Ira
Enveloped by verdure and fresh air, and nestled in the very heart of Lonavala, this stark two-storey edifice melds into the rugged landscape around it.
“The house is like a play of Jenga blocks; its two volumes appear like a vertical stack and move downward, dissolving into the terrain. The design responds to the site and offers no obstructions, allowing the surroundings to hold their own against the built form. The blueprint ensured that the earth plan was recessed at floor height, such that on approach and entry into the plot, the views remained uninterrupted,” says Anand Menon, co-founder and principal architect of KDND Studio LLP.
The dwelling is perched atop a hillock, on a man-made plateau. A concrete box, rising from the earth and opening out to the valley, represents the lower volume. Atop it, sits the upper volume. While the lower block houses the common spaces such as the living and dining rooms, as well as the master suite and staff quarters, the upper one houses the four remaining bedrooms.
Considering using brick for your home’s facade? Take inspiration from these homes
Considering using brick for your home’s facade? Take inspiration from these homes
Unending vistas of the Sahyadri mountain range – a UNESCO world heritage site – stretch out into the horizon, serving as an organic backdrop for the built environment.
“The approach on the north side of the plot meant that any vertical structure would obstruct a view of the surroundings. This, in turn, meant that access to the house would have to be via a ramp that would land on the contour of the high ground. Since the south facade of the built form faces the brunt of bad weather, it was necessary for the lower volume to ‘shift’ outward and sideward to create the necessary overhang for protection from the elements. Utilities like the generator and filtration plant are accommodated below the lower volume,” says Menon.
Find an architect among the Houzz professionals
“The approach on the north side of the plot meant that any vertical structure would obstruct a view of the surroundings. This, in turn, meant that access to the house would have to be via a ramp that would land on the contour of the high ground. Since the south facade of the built form faces the brunt of bad weather, it was necessary for the lower volume to ‘shift’ outward and sideward to create the necessary overhang for protection from the elements. Utilities like the generator and filtration plant are accommodated below the lower volume,” says Menon.
Find an architect among the Houzz professionals
The foyer leads into the living room, where hushed tones, angular forms and wooden accents craft a contemporary aesthetic. An L-shaped blush-pink sofa arrangement, complemented by a pair of tufted sage-green chairs, constitutes the seating layout. On one side, a shadow-box style television unit takes pride of place, echoed by a central coffee table in the same wood grain.
Paint: Asian Paints
Paint: Asian Paints
Sweeping glass doors dominate the wall to the side, revealing a spacious verandah, swimming pool, jacuzzi and outdoor dining area. The flooring is composed of micro-concrete.
Sofas: ADND
Inspired to give your living room a spiffy makeover? Take design cues from these experts
Sofas: ADND
Inspired to give your living room a spiffy makeover? Take design cues from these experts
The dining room is visually demarcated from the living area by a wooden credenza. A rectangular wooden dining table, bordered by curved open-back chairs, takes centre stage. A trio of modish cluster chandeliers hang over the setting.
Dining table and chairs: ADND
Dining table and chairs: ADND
The kitchen is ruled by ochre and white cabinetry arranged in an L-shaped layout. The multicoloured backsplash channels a distressed appearance, counterbalancing the polished seamlessness of the cupboards.
Look at these kitchen design ideas on Houzz photos
Look at these kitchen design ideas on Houzz photos
The master bedroom, located on the ground floor, is characterised by a palette of wood and white. The slumber area is zoned by a wooden bed and backgrounded by an exposed concrete wall that stands in for the headboard. A television unit stands on the wall opposite, while a seating area, composed of bottle-green armchairs, anchors the wall in between.
“The master bedroom has direct access to the deck and lawn on the south side of the house,” says Menon.
Here are 7 secret tips for designing your dream bedroom
“The master bedroom has direct access to the deck and lawn on the south side of the house,” says Menon.
Here are 7 secret tips for designing your dream bedroom
Sliding doors reveal an ensuite bathroom with surfaces clad entirely in marble. An elongated counter, playing host to the basin, underpins a large window offering a view to a private garden. Wooden panels embellish the ceiling, providing a warm offset to the sea of neutrals.
The ascent to the upper volume, which hosts four identical bedroom suites, is facilitated by a partially floating switchback staircase. All the bedrooms on the first floor are arranged in a row, opening out into a common balcony.
“While the lower volume is dominated by exposed concrete, the upper volume is designed in a green local stone. This helps camouflage it against the landscape,” notes Menon.
“While the lower volume is dominated by exposed concrete, the upper volume is designed in a green local stone. This helps camouflage it against the landscape,” notes Menon.
The second bedroom channels a near-identical appearance to its predecessor, barring the absence of a television unit. The bed lies against one wall, while a floating wooden shelf sweeps the wall opposite. A pair of dove-grey bucket chairs provides a perch for reading and repose. The common balcony provides a generous view of the mountains and lake beyond.
Check out bedding and bath suppliers on Houzz
Check out bedding and bath suppliers on Houzz
The third bedroom perpetuates the layout scheme established by the first two bedrooms. A built-in wooden headboard foregrounds a vanilla-panelled wall, while a bottle-green armchair offers a quiet nook by the bed.
The third bedroom’s ensuite bathroom is cloaked in charcoal finishes. The daisy basin provides a cooling contrast to the dark walls and wood-finished ceiling.
Going dark in the bathroom amps up the drama and lets metallic finishes shine. Here’s proof
Going dark in the bathroom amps up the drama and lets metallic finishes shine. Here’s proof
An elongated balcony, veiled by a brise-soleil, runs the length of the bedrooms.
The balcony offers views of the rear garden and swimming pool, and the glorious Sahyadris.
Here are 15 more picture-perfect balcony designs
Here are 15 more picture-perfect balcony designs
“The garden serves as an overture to the surrounding landscape, while the swimming pool mirrors the lake nearby,” says Menon.
Read more:
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Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
Delhi Houzz: Uber-Minimalism Is the Mainstay of This Cuboid House
Mumbai Houzz: This Artist’s Home Has a Timeless Quality
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
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Rustic outside- modern and comfortable inside . Ideal holiday home 👌
Awesome creation salute to you