Nestled within the tranquil village of Sitla, perched at 2300 meters above sea level, The Mountain Home finds its place amidst the serene Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. Flanked by dense forests, flourishing orchards, and towering pine trees, the site offers breathtaking vistas of the majestic Himalayan range. The terraced terrain, cascading in steep 1:3 slopes, seamlessly merges into this natural grandeur.
The Mountain Home embraces the contours of the land with a boomerang-shaped form that gently follows the upper-level slopes. Each guest pavilion is uniquely situated to harmonize with its surroundings: one overlooks a reserved forest, while the other nestles amid lush peach and pear orchards. These differing contexts shape the character and response of each structure, creating a dialogue between architecture and environment.
Built as though emerging from the earth itself, the massive stone masonry walls evoke a sense of permanence. In some places, they burrow into the hillside, blurring the boundary between built and unbuilt. At the lintel level, the walls abruptly end, resembling ancient ruins rediscovered. Above them, an elegant steel-and-timber roof unfurls, contrasting the grounded solidity with its sweeping, light gesture.
Arrival at the site unfolds as a journey of discovery. From the hilltop entry, a winding path descends into a sunlit courtyard framed by the boomerang structure and the hillside. As you step under the breezeway, the drama of the Himalayan panorama unveils itself.
From here, you might choose to turn right into the shared living space, left to a secluded guest bedroom, or continue ahead to a verandah and deck that float above the terraced lawn. Beyond the lawn, a staircase leads you further down the slope, curving gracefully toward the forest pavilion.
At the lowest tier, another pathway veers unexpectedly, disappearing beneath a verdant green roof before emerging at the orchard pavilion. Here, a private frame is set for Nanda Devi, one of India’s most iconic peaks.
The Mountain Home is more than a residence; it is a lens through which to experience the ever-shifting Himalayan landscape. The ensemble of structures acts as a living photographic device, capturing fleeting moments of light, shadow, and mist across the vast mountainscape. Each space invites contemplation, anchoring its inhabitants in the profound beauty of nature.
Project Name
Himalayan Mountain Retreat
Location
Year
2021
Type
Themes
Sustainability, Context, Green Roof, Solar Energy, Typology
Status
Completed
Size
800 sq.m.
Program
Mountain retreat
The site is located along the slopes of Uttarakhand, opening up to the view of the Himalayas.
The gentle approach to the home postpones the big reveal of the mountain view.
After descending down to the level of the home a generous breezeway welcomes you inside the home.
Expansive pocket sliding doors reveal a sweeping curved deck, offering breathtaking views of the majestic Himalayas in the distance. A sunken timber hot tub, with its mirrored surface, captures the shifting hues of the mountain skies.
An enfilade of stone masonry doorways teases with glimpses of rooms beyond.
In contrast to the sweeping mountain vistas, a cozy settee invites quiet reflection, nestled against the backdrop of an intimate courtyard—perfect for rainy days when the peaks vanish beneath a shroud of clouds.
The juxtaposition between the timber roof and the stone walls creates a sense of warmth and security in the structure of the mountain home.
the Dining Room
the Kitchen
The timber roof slopes down towards the view. The low roof on the front side emphasises the panoramic experience of the mountains. Additionally it allows the much welcome low winter sun to enter the interiors of the mountain home from the southern celestial window.
A light horizontal timber roof plane that hovers above a green roof covered bathroom below and emphasises the panoramic scenery of the Himalayas.
Underneath this green roof a cave like bathroom space is carved out of the mountain slopes.
The stone elements of the house seem to be an extension of the terracing of the agricultural terrain.
The roof of the Orchard Pavilion appears to hover effortlessly, framing the breathtaking Himalayan panorama beyond.
The orchard pavilion is a glass pavilion that can soak up the winter sun. A large extended roof protects it from rain and wind.
The Orchard Pavilion is a gracefully curved, glass framed structure, seamlessly nestled within the lush embrace of a peach and pear orchard.
the games room
Plans
Section AA
Section BB
Section CC
Overall plan
The mountain home is built in stone masonry, with local stone quarried from the site itself.
Samples made to scale, served to communicate and evaluate the desired aesthetic of the walls
A stone carved staircase leads down into the arrival portico.
Mockup of a beam in Himalayan Pine.
This is achieved using cantilevered steel beams that allow the room to enjoy the view.
Shuttering for the green roof in progress.
