This holiday home blends design elements of Kerala and Rajasthan

BH: Sustainability is a big part of your practice. How have you showcased it in this home?

SS: Sustainability is integral to our practice, especially considering the building industry’s significant contribution to carbon emissions. For this home, we prioritised locally-sourced building materials, with mud and lime serving as the primary ones. The walls were constructed using rammed earth, and nearly all materials, aside from the Mangalore roof tiles, were locally manufactured. Additionally, the house’s layout was designed to optimise cross-ventilation, integrating vernacular design techniques that naturally enhance energy efficiency.

BH: Tell us about the design interventions used in this home to protect it from extreme climate.

SS: The house’s orientation was carefully chosen to capture views of the Aravalli Range, though it also meant exposure to the intense summer sun. To mitigate this, a verandah encircled the house, shielding walls and windows from direct sunlight while providing a shaded, semi-open seating area. The courtyard was relocated to the side, creating a shaded, open-to-sky space where the owners enjoy barbecues. Additionally, a rat-trap bond technique was used in wall construction, creating air cavities that help maintain comfortable indoor temperature.

BH: What brief did the clients give you for the interior design of the home?

SS: The clients, being well-travelled, had an extensive collection of artefacts from their trips and unused furniture from their family home. This inspired a ‘90s aesthetic for the interior design, blending nostalgia with personal history. Most of the furniture was refurbished to suit the space, with only the doors and dining table crafted by local carpenters. The walls serve as a canvas for their travel stories, displaying artefacts that add character and narrative to the home.

BH: How was the landscaping planned?

SS: The landscaping was primarily designed by the owner himself, as he has a passion for gardening. His expertise and personal vision shaped the garden and surrounding farm areas, creating a landscape that complements the home and reflects his love for nature.

BH: According to you, what's the best design feature of this project?

SS: It is difficult to single out just one feature as numerous small, simple elements collectively shape the aesthetic of this home. An integral part of our design process is allowing the materials and the surrounding forms to influence the overall aesthetic. In Hybrid House, this approach has created a unique experience, both indoors and outdoors. I believe creating this balance of materials and design is what I enjoyed most about the project.

Photography by Purnesh Dev; Styling by Rahul Kukreja