Bijoy Jain's design of this boutique hotel in Kasauli creates a perfect marriage with its delicate surroundings.

Tucked away in the Kasauli hills, 4,600 feet above sea level, is a hidden gateway to the Himalayas. Amaya is nestled inside a sustainably managed forest and sits harmoniously among the earth and its surroundings. What's most noteworthy about this modern mountain village is that it's a self-sustaining sanctuary that elevates the Himalayan topography.

Deepak Gupta's vision for his company was to create an ecosystem of villas that would marry into the terraces, paddy fields, water channels, and walking paths of the land. His goal was to create a habitat that would not only not disturb nature, but actually rejuvenate the parts of the landscape that had been disrupted by development. Gupta reached out to AD100 architect Bijoy Jain of Studio Mumbai, knowing that it would be a tall order to find an architect with the same sensibility. After all, for a site so ecologically fragile, it was an architectural undertaking achievable by but a precious few.

Jain was inspired by the natural landscape when he first saw the potential site for the villas. After multiple visits to get a better sense of the surrounding forest, he decided to use a small section of the former farm terraces to carefully anchor the villas into the hillside. This gentle approach, which is in line with his long-standing belief of being sensitive to local cultures, was reflected in his choice of materials like wood, lime, brick, timber, and stone that allude to the land’s history as a rural area. When we build spaces, it's important to take into account more than just the fuel, manpower, and building materials. We also need to consider the value of the people and other living beings that have participated in creating each structure. At our studio, we view the landscape as a resource and use readily available materials and technologies to create spaces that are adapted to local climatic conditions.

Jain's villas, chalets, and suites reflect the colours of the landscape both inside and out, just as Jain intended. The interiors are a world unto their own, with a distinctly Nordic aesthetic courtesy of London-based interior design firm Viewport Studio. The walls and floors have earthy finishes, while wood and rattan accents add a rustic touch to the muted shell. Viewport Studio has furnished each villa with a mix of pieces from Denmark, Italy, and the UK, as well as some custom-made pieces from India. Each villa has a study or artist’s studio, dining and living spaces, a fully equipped kitchen, and three independent ensuite bedrooms with wrap-around porches.

Amaya's kitchen and herb gardens are always full of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables in season, which are used to make gourmet dishes for our customers. Other features at the sanctuary include Finnish saunas, a library, a heated swimming pool and beautiful landscapes that extend as far as the eye can see. Amaya's influences come from all around the world, and her footprint is a perfect balance of global sensibility and local sensitivity.