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Architects: IDIEQ
- Area: 5600 ft²
- Year: 2025
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Photographs:Harsh Nigam
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Manufacturers: ACC Limited, Apollo, Astral Pipes, Bosch, Cico, Hindalco, Kohler, Mianzi, Surie Polex, TATA
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Lead Architects: Saubhagya
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Civil Contractor: Sanajay Upadhyay, Asif Khan
Text description provided by the architects. Nestled in the tranquil Bhabar region of Uttarakhand, adjacent to the Jim Corbett National Park, Whispering Arc is a contemplative retreat that merges human ingenuity with natural grace. Conceived as a four-bedroom farmstay, the project explores a delicate equilibrium between raw materiality, sustainability, and the poetry of place. The journey begins with a bold gesture: a red Corten steel gate that stands as both threshold and artwork. Set against the verdant landscape, its warm rusted tones mark the transition into a sanctuary where architecture feels rooted in the earth and open to the skies. This entry sets the tone for a project deeply attuned to its surroundings.
Designed for Gaurav Tinjni, Amit Madan & Mohit Khurana the design pays homage to timeless forms and vernacular sensibilities. Exposed brick and sweeping arches define the spatial rhythm, creating a tactile, grounded experience. Reflected in the still waters of the pool, the arches form near-perfect circles—symbols of continuity and timelessness. These elements evoke both strength and serenity, offering a space that is as meditative as it is architectural. The material palette is both minimal and meaningful. Textured brickwork, satin-polished concrete floors, and bamboo accents speak of restraint and elegance. Funicular shells hang gracefully, capturing play of light and shadow like frozen waves, while exposed concrete filler slabs offer a subtle nod to the local craft heritage.
Inside, the home flows with a quiet, cohesive energy. The interiors celebrate minimalism without austerity—natural materials, clean lines, and warm tones foster a sense of intimacy and reflection. The bathrooms, finished in seamless stained concrete, mirror the textures of the surrounding landscape, grounding the experience in earthy luxury.
Crafted by local artisans, every detail contributes to a larger story of community and sustainability. Lighting fixtures are woven from rattan cane by tribal artisans, and a Mediterranean-style bamboo gazebo weaves light and air into patterns that change with the sun. These handmade elements preserve traditional skills while supporting local livelihoods.
Environmental stewardship is integral to the design. A comprehensive rainwater management system—including chain drips and a deep recharge pit—returns excess water to the ground, ensuring the house actively nurtures the ecosystem it inhabits. The building's siting and material choices reduce embodied energy, while the openness of the structure encourages natural ventilation and daylighting. A distinctive parametric brick boundary wraps around the home like a woven skin—its rhythm of curves and arches invites exploration, acting as both filter and frame for the landscape beyond. From a distance, a singular curve hints at the spatial drama within.
More than just a home, Whispering Arc is an architectural meditation—on light and shadow, tradition and innovation, permanence and fluidity. It offers a vision of luxury rooted not in excess, but in intention and harmony. Every brick, every shadow, every breeze that filters through the arches adds to its whispered narrative—of a place that listens to the land, and in turn, becomes part of its silence.
