The hill retreat makes the most of its stunning panoramas of Coonoor.
Designed by Studio Lotus, an award-winning architectural practice based in New Delhi, the Stepped House in Coonoor is located at an altitude of 1850 meters above sea level. Sitting amidst the blue mountains of the Niligiris and embedded with lush green estates of tea and coffee, fruit orchards and botanical gardens, it incorporates architectural elements in its interiors while still maintaining its quaint charm.
The brief was plain and simple: to build a house in the hills, which would be a retreat for now and an eventual permanent home for a couple, their children and respected families. With a built-up area of nearly 10,000 square feet, the design programme was required to include large living spaces, a master bedroom and two additional bedrooms to accommodate the families of their visiting children, library, kitchen and utility room and other ancillaries along with an organic garden and landscape outdoors to provide for ample spill-outs
The design approach aims at minimising damage to the site's ecology while reducing the duration of construction. Built in stone and wood, it integrates site and weather conditions and the ubiquitous beauty of its surroundings with indigenous building vocabularies and materials. The house sits quietly in the context of Coonoor, a popular hill station and as a response to the contours of the land.
Photo:Ravi Asrani
