Time Stands Still In This Home Overlooking The Majestic Hills In Idukki

Imagine a cosy retreat where mornings drift gently surrounded by mist, and the hills feel close enough to touch. In the spirit of serenity, Durga Sarath Architects takes one on a serene escape to the highest peak in ‘God’s own country’. This 4,752 sq. ft. weekend getaway, dubbed ‘Deck House’ features its namesake’s decks that serve unobstructed vistas of the boundless hills in Ernakulam. With minimalist interiors, sharp lines and an indigenous material palette, this haven casts an illusion of rising organically from the earth.

Taking The High Road

Residing in the bustling city of Ernakulam, Kerala, “with a penchant for adventure and a sociable lifestyle, the family yearned for a personal getaway,” shares Sarath Kumar and Durga Cholapurath, Principal and Partner Architect of Durga Sarath Architects. Further, the architects add, the family sought “(a) space suitable for hosting gatherings with family and friends, while also serving as a private retreat.” Consequently, the architects were given a 1.4-acre plot featuring ample contours, in Kuttikkanam, a languid town in Kerala, with a brief to add social spaces into every nook.

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Positioned atop the peak, the site’s treacherous terrain served as the design inspiration for the home’s minimalistic ambience. “It was such a commanding site with heavy contours that images came crowding in,” reveal the architects, describing the greenery-draped hills and the tranquil silence of the fauna. They explain, “The entire design evolved into a flexible space, where one of the main guidelines was to keep exploring visual amplitude and nature’s connection.” Ensuing is a haven with blurry boundaries, with a spectacular performance orchestrated by the landscape that melds with nature perfectly. “The construction was extremely demanding and rigorous,” the architects share, noting the complexities of articulating the foundations, reinforcement and protections. They further reveal, “post-tensioned slabs were also introduced in the building.”

Where The Time Slows

A slender road flanked by a rugged wall on one side and a plunging valley on the other guides entrants toward a stairway that leads to the home. Further along, a voluptuous stone pathway reveals sweeping views of the lush surroundings, culminating in a stone plinth upon which the home is perched. “The house was implanted at the far end of the plot, to create a generous and welcoming entrance,” explain the architects. This journey steers one to a ‘green door’. Their choice of green was deliberate, “Many neighbouring buildings incorporate green elements in their design, creating a cohesive visual language that evokes a connection to nature.” This verdant wooden door, nestled between two stone walls, and adorned with a metal grill lite, shrouds an expansive space beyond.

A foyer flanked by a colossal deck ushers one into the home’s earthy interiors. “Rather than enclosing the rooms with solid walls, glass has been employed as a vertical element to maximise the connection with the surrounding natural environment,” the architects explain. These gigantic floor-to-ceiling glass sliding parts, the deck from the living areas, while reinforcing the theme of maximizing views. Designed as the perfect spot for barbeque nights, the deck features a covered bar area and an open-to-sky purlieu that offers ethereal views of the rolling hills.

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As the party moves indoors, the open-plan layout allows the living, dining and kitchen areas to interact, fostering a vivacious atmosphere filled with conversation and connection. “This careful consideration of the site’s natural attributes has allowed us to create a harmonious blend of openness and intimacy,” the architects affirm. The result is a space where every gathering feels both cosy and expansive. 

A wooden sliding separates the public spaces from the private, concealing portals to spaces above and beyond. A wiry sleek wood and metal staircase ascends to the upper level, while a wooden door reveals yet another observatory, just steps ahead, nestled amidst soft greenery and sturdy boulders. “The landscape was an essential element in developing this project along with the site topography since a larger part of the site consisted of stones,” the architects reveal. This observatory features an infinity pool and a seating area overlooking the lush hills, an idyllic spot for lazy Sunday afternoons. Further, an extension of the private spaces, a bedroom spills onto the gigantic deck, seamlessly merging with the natural surroundings. This massive alfresco space conceals a tranquil sit-out that flanks a boulder while connecting to the utility area.

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Into The Private Sanctuary 

As one ascends to the secluded upper floors, an earthy lounge and bedrooms emerge, set against the towering hills and offering endless vistas that permeate the senses while reinstating the home’s connection with the outdoors. The architects further reveal, “The verandah which envelops the first floor maximizes the entire space with natural lighting, cross ventilation and greater contact with nature.” Consequently, the interiors reflect this philosophy, featuring an open-plan layout that facilitates a seamless connection between the bedrooms, which are parted by verdant doors. This continuity is further reinforced by a column-less structure that instead uses stone walls jutting out of the frames of the colossal windows for support.

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“The natural hues of the surroundings guided our choices, ensuring that the design harmonises with the environment,” the architects share. The design hence, juxtaposes the delicate glass façade with the rugged texture of random rubble masonry and cool tones of exposed concrete. This melange of textures infuses depth and character into the composition, initiating a visual dialogue that reflects the landscape’s inherent beauty. The minimalist style, paired with hints of brutalism, corroborates and emphasises that the focus remains on the landscape without unnecessary embellishments. This creates a striking backdrop allowing the assembly to coexist serenely with its environment.

As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the undulating hills, the Deck House stands as a testament to the harmony between human ingenuity and nature’s grandeur. The architects reveal, “stunning views and varied terrain have enabled us to utilise the site to its fullest potential.” Each space whispers stories of connection, where laughter dances through open corridors and serenity envelops secluded corners. They emphasise, “a home is always a mental state of mind and the Deck House is where tranquillity and comfort interact to create a space,” where time slows, mountains meet the horizon while nature reigns supreme.