It isn’t often that a client brief is dictated by an aversion to insects—least of all for an architect accustomed to creating picture-perfect spaces for perfectly poised people. But for Sai Shruthi Rao, this bugbear of a brief became the catalyst for a design that was as seamless as it was sealed off. “No mosquitoes. No dust. No maintenance. That was the brief,” quips the co-founder and principal of Hyderabad-based Studio Sacred Geometry about her latest canvas—an old 4,500-square-foot triplex villa belonging to an NRI doctor couple in the city’s Kompally neighbourhood.
Maximising Space
In minimising the mosquitoes and dust, Rao made room for other things—namely, natural materials, soulful spaces, and time-honoured techniques reimagined for modern times. "Mixing modern vibes with traditional touches, the goal was to create a space that’s stylish yet steeped in culture. Having lived outside India for so long, the owners really wanted to embrace their roots,” says interior designer Paruchuri Sai Chand, Studio Sacred Geometry’s other half. Leaning traditional was one thing, but tightroping tradition and modernity without losing balance was another challenge altogether. Rao and Chand weren’t fazed. They drew inspiration from the past while making space for the future. Locally sourced Kota stone found new life as flooring, discarded teak from the couple’s old home was repurposed into furniture, and nature was framed at every possible angle. Sometimes, there was a method to the madness—as in the case of the calming green Kota flooring with patterned inlay—and sometimes, there wasn’t, like with the asymmetrical spindles underpinning the custom shelving. “It was fun not having to follow any rules,” smiles Rao, admitting that working within the existing blueprint sometimes limited design possibilities.
Luminous Vignettes
Rao and Chand envisioned this triplex villa as a naturescape, where soft light, expansive windows, and glowing forms create a serene atmosphere. They began with the living room, stripping it back to its essentials—pristine walls, natural wood tones, and cloud-like sofas framing a verdant garden that mirrors the warmth of the sun. “The garden is like natural artwork,” says Rao, who further enhanced this connection with indoor plants that foster a seamless flow between the indoors and outdoors. They didn’t just bring nature inside—they infused its colours, too. Wall panels were transformed into rich timber, totems took on shades of shamrock, and window frames became extensions of nature’s palette. “It’s a home that blends function with beauty, creating a retreat that’s both personal and luxurious,” says Chand—though luxury here means green sit-outs and suspended wooden ledges doubling as peaceful reading nooks.
Taste of Tradition
When it came to the furniture and decor, the designers favoured modern forms but traditional craftsmanship—expressed in a handcrafted rattan and wood sofa here and a rustic timber armchair there. Anything that made its way into the home had to reflect the elements, through subtle contours and a breezy spirit. In came lighter-than-light cabinetry and darker-than-dark counters. A daisy table and chairs upholstered in a botanical print took pride of place in the dining room—a nod to the blooms in the garden next door. A wooden bench by the window in the primary bedroom was positioned like a flat tree branch, while the floor-to-ceiling bookshelf in the son’s bedroom was supported by a totem emblematic of Lord Hanuman.
The designers carried these mythological references into the art as well, with a Ramayana-inspired statement fabric artwork in the living room, emblazoned with handcrafted horse figurines, serving as both a sculptural and spiritual centrepiece. Ask the designers if they managed to banish the mosquitoes and dust while bringing in everything else, and Rao nods emphatically, explaining that the home’s no-nook environment plays a crucial role. “No pests, no problem,” she signs off with a grin.
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