Designed by Mr. Rajiv Saini, The first visit I made to see the site changed all preconceived ideas about what form this house should take. Located on an elevated hill slope, overlooking the ?Ganges? river as it turned around a bend, the unbridled energy of the gushing river became the one constant inspiration and the form the house attempts to reflect.

The project, a holiday house/retreat on the Haridwar-Rishikesh route, was easy to design when working with clients who shared a passion for design, who also trusted us enough to embark on this radical design. The requirements of the house were simple-three bedroom suites and enough casual/informal spaces to lounge around with family and friends and soak in the virgin territory all around.
Photography: Sebastian Zachariah Driving along the long winding driveway (that does not reveal the spectacle of the magnificent river view) leading to the house, one approaches the structure between two 12ft high, tightly placed almost parallel walls of random stone masonry (all stone used for random masonry walls in the house was quarried locally). Past this wall is an enclosed court bound with walls on 3 sides.

Only on stepping inside through the teak wood doors does one comprehend the expansive river views. The large entrance space, along with the deck outside, functions as an informal lounging zone. It also encloses an elliptical, glass and teak framed dining enclosure. Crossing over a bridge from here, one passes through an internal c...