AMONG THE PINES

 REQUIREMENT BRIEF 

The private house of an influential car collector was to be in his words “the only introduction I need to give anyone.” Just one look at the house should explain to the visitor the character and magnanimity of the owner. The plot located on the centre of a north facing hill side was to engulf lower floors for public entertainment, mid-levels to house a few of his cars and the upper floors to be his private pad allowing handpicked visitors only. The views towards the valley and forest beyond were to be captured from all rooms possible and add to the drama of the interiors.

 OUTCOME 

The house is a perfect representation and reflection of the owner and his opulent impression. The plan is floor-wise conducted as per function, separate floors for guest living, for public entertainment, private living, bar and pool, and servants. Circulation is eased via installing lifts. Structural feasibility is streamlined with introduction of steel from the parking floor upwards allowing for lighter building skeletons. Rainwater is directed via natural pre-existing swales and not disturbing the topographic channels. Clad in mint sandstone the rear and front elevations are lined with continuous repetitions and rhythms of firm semi-circular arches. The large north facing glazing provide exceptional and uninterrupted views to the forests and hills beyond. The public area floors are lined with beige marble and intricate mouldings on walls allowing classic grace to overrule, with a palette of rhubarb and earth spread across handpicked antique furniture. The intermediate parking floors are lined in the hardest of Indian limestones, picked from waste to be recycled. The upper floors are adorned in the magnificence of India, notably the slowly fading inlay craft from Makrana, with Rajasthani yellow and green marbles. These stones are used as statements around the upper private floors, keeping the luxury quotient key yet gentle. What makes the house interesting are the guest rooms on the parking floors, nothing short of ‘A night at the Museum’, this one with the room offering views to the best of auto- machines one can imagine, and the lone bar reminiscing a renaissance barrel vault projecting into the lawns at the lowest level. The house is a careful curation of all things luxurious, yet carefully sourced so as to be judicious with expenditure and environment resources.