Home on the Hill by Arun Nalapat Architects
Nestled in the captivating hills of Kerala, “Home on the Hill,” is a discreetly elegant retreat designed by the renowned Arun Nalapat Architects. Situated in Bangalore, India, a city known for its diverse culture and beautiful landscapes, this contemporary sanctuary is a prime example of seamless integration with nature. Adorned in greys and browns, the retreat effortlessly merges with its surrounding landscape, offering a tranquil refuge to its inhabitants.
Built in 2018, the retreat, boasting large glazed openings and an expansive deck, captivates with panoramic views of the lush green terrain. The modern design, blended with handpicked furniture and muted tones, exudes a simple yet luxurious elegance, truly embodying a sense of solitude.
About Home on the Hill
A Harmonious Retreat Nestled in Kerala’s Scenic Hills
Rooted in the landscape, this house boasts a natural palette of greys and browns, blending effortlessly with the surrounding hilltop. Its unassuming demeanor successfully cloaks its scale and inner complexities.
Positioned amidst Kerala’s picturesque hills, this retreat home crowns a verdant hill, presenting expansive views of the lush green expanse below and around it. The clients had a straightforward vision—a modern sanctuary embodying a primal need for solitude.
Fusing Built and Natural Spaces
The aspiration to merge built and natural spaces came to fruition by integrating the landscape within the house’s very heart, creating a divide from within. The residence features extensive overhangs, swathed in wood that echoes the surroundings. These overhangs extend protectively over the house, safeguarding both the structure and its inhabitants from the regional monsoons.
A Tribute to Subtle Elegance
Understated tones pervade the interior spaces, enabling the earthly ambiance to suffuse the house. This simplicity bolsters the influence of the enveloping nature—powerful, yet tranquil and serene.
A wooden roof gently flows into the tiered interior spaces that follow the site’s natural terrain. The living and dining areas extend along a poolside deck, providing seamless, unobstructed views of the encircling hillside.
As evening descends and the mountains begin to fade, the house comes alive with light, extending a warm invitation to the semi-open decks by the pool.
Minimalistic Luxury in Design
The interiors boast carefully selected furniture arranged around a fireplace, imbuing the space with a languid, relaxing ambiance. Despite their luxury, the furnishings maintain a minimalist aesthetic, preserving a sense of understated elegance.
Serenity in the Bedrooms
The bedrooms exude simplicity and cleanliness, free from excessive embellishments and clutter. The furnishings, though sparse, invite comfort and relaxation, beckoning one to lounge in the evening sunlight filtering into the room.
The ribbed quartz feature on the headboard wall seamlessly extends from the bedroom’s interior to the pool, subtly demarcating the spaces sharing the poolside deck. Private decks flank the master bedroom, offering unrestricted views of the breathtaking panorama outside.
Interacting with the Outdoors
Large glazed openings and a shared deck for the lower bedrooms enhance the dialogue with the outdoors. These windows, when fully opened, dissolve boundaries even further, transforming these into semi-open spaces.
Photography courtesy of Arun Nalapat Architects
- by Matt Watts
