House by the Lake

Scope of Work: Architecture + Interior Design

Typology: Residential, Bungalow, Weekend Home

Location: Kamshet, Maharashtra, India

Year: 2023

Status: Completed

Size: 10,000 sq.ft./ 930 sq.m.

Design Team: Kasturi Wagh + Vineet Hingorani

Photography Credits: studio suryan//dang

A lake touch parcel of land surrounded by lush greenery on three sides demanded the building of a series of ‘viewing galleries’ entrapped within the notion of a holiday home rather than the usual ‘off the mill’ bungalow - a vessel to view and re-unite with nature.

Being an architectural design project, the site and its context proved to be the major source of inspiration for ‘House by the Lake’. Recalling our very first site visit, we remember being entranced by the lake and the spectacle of nature in front of us. Escaping from the hustle bustle of the city and reconnecting with the peace and serenity of the outdoors was the main aim for this project.

As one enters the site, an attempt has been made to create a structure that purposely hides/blocks the visitor's view of the lake, giving him/her small glimpses of the waterbody beyond. On entering the structure, the visitor is greeted by courtyards on two sides and a couple of steps leading to the entrance foyer and the vast spectacle of the lake and neighbouring greens - a deliberate attempt to ‘stage’ the view; to create a theatrical first reveal. Two large stone clad walls on either side extend into the green lawn towards the lake forming the perfect vista. Each of the six bedrooms and various living, dining and recreational spaces open directly onto the lawn or decks overlooking the lake. With full height openings spanning 10 metres, the lake becomes an extension of the house acting as a soothing background to the cacophony inside. A free standing staircase against the double height glass facade connects the two levels of the bungalow. At night, with the entrance foyer and staircase tastefully lit up, we feel it mimics a lantern in the dark. Architecturally, the whole house has been planned in a way to mimic a monolithic structure with minimal openings from the entrance side, and a completely open glass house-ish structure from the lake side. The house also drips over the contours to only reveal a lower level below once the visitor enters the house.

A stand out element is the sheer volume that we have played with. Designing a sloping roof volumetrically helps by subconsciously drawing the occupant’s vision gradually towards the lake. No matter where one stands in the bungalow, one cannot help gaze at the calming ripples in the lake.

Staying true to the intent of championing the ‘outdoors’, it was important to adopt a fairly minimal aesthetic for the ‘indoors’. To make sure the lake & the ‘outside’ is the primary focus, a muted palette of earthy colours (greys, beiges, whites and blacks) adorn the house rather than highly polished/glossy marble and such surfaces. Textures of kota, local stone, concrete and reclaimed wood add that much needed tactile element that helps the occupant feel closer to the ‘outdoors’. The texture of the river washed kota stone beautifully mimics the ripples of the lake playing back to the notion of connecting the indoors and the outdoors.

‘House by the Lake’ is our humble attempt in blurring boundaries between indoors and surrounding nature.

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