Designing Serene Hillside Sanctuaries in Coorg
We believe architecture should breathe with the land. These homes are our response to the Coorg landscape—spaces that blur the line between nature and home.
We are honored that our Varadarajan House project received the GoodHomes 2024 Award for contextual design. This recognition affirms our belief in creating architecture that grows from a deep reverence for its setting.
The interior of the Varadarajan House is a layered composition of textures and stories. We used polished Kota stone floors to reflect light, while kilim rugs and antique textiles add warmth and narrative, creating a passage that draws you deeper into the home's quiet heart.
This video provides a glimpse into the Dream Coffee Estate, a home we designed to feel both expansive and intimate. From the double-height living areas anchored by heritage columns to the quiet corners overlooking the garden, every space is crafted to connect with the surrounding nature of Coorg.
This video captures the exterior and courtyard of the Dream Coffee Estate, showing how the structure settles into the landscape. We used a palette of terracotta, reclaimed wood, and lime plaster to create a home that feels timeless and deeply connected to its Southern Indian context.
About Hillside Sanctuaries: Homes in Coorg
Designing in the rainforest requires a deep respect for drainage and light. In these Coorg projects, we prioritize wide eaves and wrap-around decks to keep the home dry during monsoon while inviting the valley views inside year-round. It is about creating a structure that does not sit on the hill, but becomes a part of the hillside itself.
Building in the Western Ghats is a dialogue with the elements. Our approach to Coorg hillside homes moves beyond conventional construction, focusing instead on 'listening architecture' where the site dictates the placement of every window and wall.
Navigating the Monsoon and Terrain
The heavy rainfall in the Coorg rainforest presents a unique structural challenge. We lean on traditional wisdom—sloped roofs with generous overhangs and breathable lime-plastered walls—to manage moisture effectively without resorting to aggressive chemical sealants. This ensures the home stays cool and dry even during the peak monsoon.
Materiality as Dialogue
We work with an honest, earthy palette. You will find hand-chiseled laterite masonry that mimics the soil, polished Kota stone floors that reflect the soft, diffused forest light, and reclaimed timber columns that ground the interior in a sense of history. These are textures that age gracefully, developing a patina that mirrors the forest's own evolution.
The Experience of Space
A home here should be a sanctuary. We design our Coorg residences to feature central courtyards and open living plans, allowing for constant cross-ventilation. When we insert skylights or create a mezzanine, it is to capture the interplay of light and shade that characterizes the canopy. The result is a space that does not merely house a family, but invites them to slow down and reconnect with the rhythm of the valley.
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