A house of one’s own: Inside this beautiful home in Khandala and what makes it unique

The home is perhaps the biggest dream for cityfolk even more so for those who want to find one in Mumbai It isnrsquot easy not at all As someone who comes from outside this writer loves taking a peek into what Mumbaikars call home What is sacred enough to make it into the limited carpet area the city offersFor architect Apoorva Shroff the answer lay outside of Mumbai in a notsoquaint sevenacre property in Mount Alterra Khandala ldquoI have always designed homes for others and this home was the first time I got full creative freedom for what I wanted to dordquo Shroff tells usApoorva ShroffThat dream is Airavat a mansion that sprawls 30000 sq ft across her land Shroff welcomes us into the first living room yes there are more than one where sits a grand piano It faces the floortoceiling window which shows off the gorgeous view from the top of the mountain ldquoEvery window in the house is designed with a view in mind We locked the best frame one can capture with each windowrdquo Shroff saysUnlike traditional houses that are built from the ground up Shroff takes a unique approach The entry way is the top most floor of the structure and one can keep climbing downstairs to make their way through the houseThe structure is a simple intersection between concrete and metal Pics CourtesyApoorva ShroffldquoThe entire house is made of two slabs which cross like an lsquoXrsquo One bar is made of concrete and the other of steelrdquo Shroff tells us ldquoThe structure is a simple intersection between concrete and metal The resulting interstitial spaces translate into courtyards of various scalesrdquoWe make our way to the second living room one floor below The pool sits right opposite with a canopy bed on top If you canrsquot swim in the water you could still swim in the air on top of itThe lawn features a swing at the very end Wersquore told that the furry one in the house Kiko is quite possessive of it and attacks anyone who dares to sit on it We take our chances still As we sit on the swing we take in the breathtaking views from the top of the hill It feels like wersquore the only person in the world secluded away in the greens We imagine how nice it must feel to have a space like this every day away from the cityrsquos hustle and bustle That is until Kiko finds us Hersquos not too happy about our encroachment We take it as our cue to move on to the next part of the houseThe second living room is right at the intersection of the two bars We spot one of those courtyards Shroff was talking about earlier It almost feels like a skylight within the house The house seems to reveal itself in fragments every flight of stairs and turns opens up another view making the structure feel almost like it is moving with us that too in circlesFrom there we take another flight of stairs to the bedrooms Itrsquos a staircase made of textured iron almost like the one you would spot at a train station ldquoItrsquos elements like these that make maintenance easier for me This staircase for example has rusted quite a lot But even the rust adds to the charm I donrsquot mind it at allrdquoOur favourite part of the house were the bathrooms The one in the master bedroom featured a skylight adding the feel of being inside natureThe bedroomrsquos view however is what steals the show in the room The windows are Lshaped a floortoceiling affair that lead to a balcony Shroff holds up her hands to make a frame like movie directors do ldquoWe wanted there to be a picturesque view So you can sit on the bed and look outside and there you have the most beautiful framerdquoldquoAiravat was never intended to be a house that simply sits within the landscape It was imagined as a place where everyday life could feel more connected to nature where the changing light weather and seasons become part of how you experience the home For me the most rewarding aspect has been creating a space that feels different with every season and continues to evolve with the people who inhabit itrdquoShroffrsquos tips on designing a home thinspI think the first thing to ask is How do you actually live A home should work around your everyday life how you start your mornings how you entertain where you unwind When you design with these things in mind the home starts to feel much more personal Create one unexpected element It could be an unusual staircase a beautiful window a courtyard or even an unexpected combination of materials It doesnrsquot have to be dramatic or expensive Let the context influence the design Look at whatrsquos happening outside the home mdash the light the views the climate Instead of bringing in a fixed aesthetic allow the surroundings to influence the design Mix the old with the new It could be an old piece of furniture a vintage light or even a locally sourced material These details bring warmth and character to a home