This Scandinavian-inspired, steel-fabricated home is located on a 1,000 sq. mt. property in Yercaud, set on a south-to-north slope (from road to valley) with a 20-degree gradient, surrounded by 84 mature trees.

At first glance, a spontaneous thought originated that projected a home to be above the existing ground and among the trees. This allowed the navigation of the floor to be in a single level, to allow the natural flow of surface water across the site, to have a bird’s eye view of the surroundings and minimize the environmental intervention.

The footprint of the house was planned to minimize deforestation; shifting 8 trees out of 84 for the house to stilt on the existing slope. And, to reduce the use of civil raw materials which would impact the environment.

Deciding to go for a fabricated structure that can be accessed by foot only, we used stones from the hillside for the retaining walls and random rubble steps that lead down to the house.

Slowly integrating into the portico, the non-slippery paving helps with the easy maintenance of the falling leaves; the façade, facing the road, is kept minimal to avoid attention and provide privacy, with only a secured foyer projecting out granting access inside the house and a balcony sliced out at the top corner serving dually as breakout space and for surveillance. Upon entry, you experience a cottage that is nestled in between the trees, a humble abode that is peacefully inviting.

The vertical grills were designed to run parallel to the trees in the foyer, creating a transition space before entering into the house. The foyer is designated to provide a buffer between the wetness of the hillside and the indoors. The shoes are cleaned off and umbrellas and coats are hung in this foyer area, keeping the insides clean.

The design of the house sparked with the idea of having bedrooms on either side to capitalize on corner views with the living/social spaces in between. Upon entering from the foyer to a low-height kitchen with a mezzanine, the space expands to the living room with a cinematic view of the deck outside. The use of patterned tile in the kitchen and dining area clearly demarcates the space efficiently. The mood with toned-down greys and browns, exposed conduits that decor up the walls was intentional; to have a clear and minimalistic approach to spatial quality.

 Both bedrooms enjoy panoramic corner views of the woods through the aluminium-glass windows with one experiencing sunrise and the other sunset. The sunrise bedroom has a high ceiling to capture the morning sunlight path while the sunset bedroom has a mezzanine floor with bed space for an extended family.

The shades of furniture and drapes seamlessly blends with the floors, walls and ceilings, with contrasting exposed black lines that frame the structure, windows and conduits. The mezzanine floor that leads to the balcony creates extra socializing space for the family and the long deck reaching out to trees provides a stage to enjoy all that the property offers.