Antriya House by 23 Degrees Design Shift: A Transgenerational Retreat Rooted in Nature and Memory

A Modern Weekend Home Designed for Three Generations

Located in Muchintal on the southern edge of Hyderabad, Antriya House by 23 Degrees Design Shift is envisioned as a serene weekend retreat for a close-knit joint family. Conceived in 2021 for brothers Sachin and Nitin Agarwal and their parents and children, the project reflects a deeply personal brief shaped through multiple conversations, written inputs, and shared family stories. The result is a dwelling that embraces the emotional, cultural, and practical needs of three generations while celebrating nature, timeless materials, and contemplative living.

The design intent stemmed from a desire to create a home that transcends leisure and functions as a space for gathering, reflection, celebration, and connection. For a family accustomed to city life, this retreat offers a grounded experience—where nature, memory, and architecture harmoniously meet.

A Five-Acre Site Inspired by Landscape and Childhood Memories

Spread across five acres of linear land near the national highway, the site was selected for its connectivity and its proximity to the family’s steel factory. The frequency of use informed a design that supports shared responsibility and routine maintenance, allowing the home to function as a second residence rather than an occasional escape.

The site was largely bare, punctuated only by a majestic peepal tree to the west. This single natural element became the emotional and spatial anchor. A curving driveway navigates around natural boulders, gradually unfolding the landscape. Along the drive, curated activities celebrate heritage and family traditions, including a grape garden inspired by the brothers’ childhood visits to ancestral vineyards, ATV trails for young members, sports areas, a rock garden infused with Mediterranean planting, and dispersed guest parking zones. These layered experiences transform the approach into a journey.

Architecture Rooted in Linear Forms and Nature

The home rests on the western half of the site, just beside the old peepal tree that marks the drop-off point and arrival sequence. The architectural composition is defined by three linear stone walls, guiding movement, offering privacy, and grounding the structure in the landscape. These walls introduce directionality and create deep sensory intimacy, framing the built space while dissolving boundaries with nature.

Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Living with Privacy at its Core

A floating pathway rises four feet above the ground, creating a ceremonial progression into the residence. The pool, a key priority for the family, is nestled behind the northern wall, ensuring privacy while staying deeply connected to light, sky, and vegetation. The roof above the pool opens to the sky, inviting shifting sunlight and natural ventilation while preserving seclusion for family members of all ages.

Inside, the plan is intuitively divided. A central spine separates communal areas such as the living room, dining pavilion, verandah, and kitchen from private sleeping quarters. With soaring 15-foot volumes and an intermediate 10-foot slab line, spaces feel sheltered yet expansive, nurturing both togetherness and introspection.

Optimized Climate Design for Comfort and Energy Efficiency

Deep cantilevered overhangs, varying between eight and ten feet, shield glass surfaces and frame lush landscape views. Clerestory windows draw light through greenery, animating interiors with natural movement and soft shadows. Air flows uninterrupted across lawns and water elements, enhancing thermal comfort throughout Hyderabad’s warm climate. The house appears to float above a continuous water body populated with aquatic plants and fish, a poetic feature that also acts as a natural barrier against snakes and crawling animals.

A Landscape of Stillness and Celebration

Open lawns circle the residence, supporting air movement while creating space for gatherings and leisure. Dense vegetation sits beyond the lawn’s edge, forming ecological layers and softening the architectural silhouette. Coconut palms, creepers cascading from the roofline, and sculptural trees punctuate the environment, creating gentle transitions that slow time and deepen perception.

At the heart of the verandah, a sculptural staircase commands presence. The verandah itself becomes a multi-functional pavilion that expands into the living area through sliding glass systems, offering a fluid indoor-outdoor lifestyle. This adaptable environment supports quiet family routines as well as festive social gatherings.

A Material Expression of Place and Authenticity

Materiality plays a grounding role in Antriya House. The palette is neutral and tactile, highlighting natural texture and regional identity. Soft grey lime plaster, rough Khammam brown sandstone, and smooth Markapuram slate floorings create a harmonious surface language. Reclaimed teak furniture, live-edge wood elements, jute textiles, and black steel accents balance crafted rawness with curated refinement. By prioritizing local stone and natural finishes, the architecture embraces authenticity and reduces environmental impact.

A Home for Reflection, Connection, and Legacy

With four bedrooms on the ground floor and one elevated suite overlooking the garden, the home remains deeply tied to the earth. Central visual axes dissolve at landscape nodes marked by willows and stone courtyards, reinforcing the home’s meditative spirit.

All photographs are works of Shamanth Patil