Nestled on the outskirts of Hyderabad, in a quaint town called Maheshwaram, merely a few hours away from Shamshabad airport is a serene home amidst a sprawling farmland. Aptly dubbed The Hyderabad Farm House, it chronicles the homecoming of six families and their fondness for the age-old practice of farming. The brief given by the client; a professional developer, was to design an extension of the already existing farmhouse that would serve as a getaway on those calm yet proactive weekends. In accordance with the brief, Neelesh Kumar, principal architect at 23 Degree Design Shift curated a piece of haven enveloped in the tender embrace of lush verdancy, earning it a distinguished moniker; ‘home away from home’.

FACT FILE

VINTAGE IS THE NEW VOGUE

The architects endured the challenge of creating a weekend home, without compelling the residents to adapt to rigorous changes in their course of stay there. As a result, a conceptual reference to the Manduva houses was the architects’ savy comeback while specifying the layout for the house. Manduva houses predominantly originated when nuclear living wasn’t a thing. Coming from the Andhra region these homes outfitted large joint families, catering to their needs while fostering harmonious living. These conventional homes feature a rectangular central courtyard framed by wooden columns, topped by a sloping roof, and boast abundant use of natural wood. The Hyderabad Farm House, positioned smack in the middle of a 30-acre farming land, plagiarizes from these Manduva houses. This farmhouse wrapped around a sultry central courtyard, with its four sides dedicated to tranquil living areas, makes a heartfelt proclamation of its being.

IN THE MIDDLE OF A FARM

A tranquil journey commences a kilometer or two away from the home, with lofty palm trees on either side of a murky pathway. This serene setting slowly strips away the fast-pace of the city life, instilling a soothing and calm outlook. As the voyage amidst the lush greenery culminates, a grounded structure comes into focus cuddled by the warmth of a colossal sloping roof that almost converts into a veil for the home. Wrapped around a central courtyard, this home makes an effort to honor the roots of the family hailing from the southeastern region.

The courtyard assumes the role of a protagonist, trailing in the treads of its idol, which in this case are the lush exteriors. The sultry courtyard features a round wooden seating, analogous to a merry-go-round, imparting a subtle sense of nostalgia to the space. This seating, surrounded by a Koi Pond enhances the balmy aesthetic of the space, allowing the inhabitants to occasionally dip their feet into the water, on a scorching day. “Because it is a weekend home everyone comes to the center of the house for any event, or sitting together or for any activities, so this courtyard plays a very important role,” explains Neelesh Kumar while talking about the courtyard that befits as the heart of the abode. Assuming this courtyard as a center point, the living spaces are choreographed on the four sides, perpetuating the theme of a seamless blend between the interiors and the exteriors.

SONGS FROM THE WOODS

A transition from chrome-to-ash hues in the flooring signifies the arrival into the inner sanctum of the abode, heralding a shift towards sophistication and finesse. Upon crossing the threshold, a common living space boasts two walls with floor-to-ceiling windows, featuring wooden transoms, and mullions (the horizontal and vertical elements of a window), while a solid wall is clad in sandstone. Correspondingly, the dining area features two sides of French windows and a solid wall featuring a circular fenestration framed with wood. The black glass dining table paired with resplendent crimson chairs accompanied by a pair of wooden and wicker cream upholstered armchairs, complete the ensemble for sharing of heartful meals.

After escaping the captivating clutches of the living space, a verandah presents an assortment of seating spaces and an eye-candy; the courtyard. It connects one to the other three blocks with intricately carved wooden jaali walls. These jaalis serve the agenda of translucency in the abode while contributing to its earthy aesthetic. The three blocks feature bedrooms with a cabin-core vibe, that open into their private courtyards through L-shaped floor-to-ceiling windows.

The home employs four key materials portraying the architect’s fondness for minimalism and austerity. Wood is employed in all its textures and hues to impart a warm touch and bestow a contemporary characteristic to the home. The Hyderabad Farm House and its expansively lush context stand true to its name, teleporting one to the nostalgic carefree days. It becomes a catalyst for cherishing familial bonds while regarding their boundaries.

To watch the complete home tour, peruse the drawings in detail, and browse additional photographs, visit Buildofy. While there, don’t miss out on the other spectacular traditional homes in Hyderabad and across India.