Kalesar Jungle house: Up close in the wilderness!

By: Marina Correa

Photography: Courtesy the designers

Read Time: 2 mins

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Layers Studios for Design and Architecture refurbishes a two-level holiday home ensconced in a wildlife sanctuary in Kalesar, Haryana…

Located on a cliff abutting the river Yamuna, with sweeping views of the river and the magnificent Himalayan foothills in its background, this rustic dwelling nestled amidst lush flora and fauna is a true-blue jungle retreat.

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With a beatific connect with the outdoors via large verandas and balcony spaces, the house anchors itself with its rustic and close-to-nature interiors.  Balancing the hard elements with the soft, viz., the wood used has live edges and saw marks at places and finds its balance in the cool cotton upholstery fabrics. On a similar note, cement-coloured matt tiles and natural grey slate as flooring are highlighted by the warmth of rugs in select spaces. 

Similarly, rough brown Kota stone is used for cladding and in the outdoor shower area; coarse jute and rope are interwoven with furniture pieces and lighting; whilst frames, planters and natural light add to the soft touches. 

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With the main planning objective being to orient the house towards an outdoor living experience, every area looks outward including the heart of the house or the double-heighted living area. 

The refurbishing exercise steers clear of any major architectural and structural changes; yet, opens the home and infuses it with zestful vibes. For this, older doors and windows are replaced with fixed glass and a couple of fenestrations are introduced to increase the intensity of natural light filtering in in various rooms and provide unhindered views of the surrounds.

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Furthermore, the walls and ceiling are painted in a light beige hue to maximise reflections of light within the interiors; thus, making this a refreshing jungle holiday home, where the inmates can get a raw feel of the wild from the warmth and comfort of their cosy abode. 

Fact File:

Client: Jamna Auto Industries

Design Firm: Layers Studios for Design & Architecture

Principal Designers/Architects: Neha Bhardwaj and Gaurav Kapoor

Built-up Area: 3,700 sq. ft.

Carpet Area: 3,000 sq. ft.

Location: Kalesar, Haryana