.png)
A private terrace in Hyderabad’s Banjara Hills was transformed into a sundowner-ready rooftop bar, under the incisive direction of NaaV Studio. The terrace was once a bare, under-utilised space, characterised by a simple glass railing and not much else. The home owners in Hyderabad approached architect Varsha Reddy and landscape designer Rohit Mirdoddi with the aim of turning it into a space that they could use to entertain guests. “The client wanted to be able to entertain small groups of people, as well as host large gatherings,” expresses Reddy. “It had to be a multi-purpose space, with intimate sections for seating, and larger open areas.”
Our tour begins in a small transitional space on the ground floor, which is a play of earth tones and soft greys. Pops of colour on the carpet and a weave detail on the teak wood sliding door soothe the visual palette. “It also has a slight hint of red, which reflects the antique kumkum boxes on the display shelves,” Reddy points out. You walk through the room, up a flight of stairs, and you’re met with the entire 3,600 square feet expanse of the terrace. The sandstone pathway, inlaid with rust-coloured pebbles tamped down with resin, pulls the gaze forward, past a landscaped section of planters and decorative antiques on the right, and towards a pergola-dressed bar at the far end. On the left is an asymmetrical dining table that can seat a party of eight, and under the pergola is a bar unit, a kitchenette, and a series of amphitheater-style steps with cushioned seating. A swathe of open space in the centre can accommodate large gatherings.
Also read: This contemporary weekend home in Surat is woven into the rural landscape of Gujarat
Since there’s another villa coming up on the far side of the terrace, a section of the raised bar area was blocked off with solid walls to maintain privacy. In other sections, a geometrical jaali offers views of the landscape. The panels of the pergola roof are also wrapped with linen, so as to allow soft, diffused light into the area. This interplay of solid walls and breezeblocks continues across the border of the terrace, creating a spectacle of light and shadow throughout the day. “We were conscious of how the space would look in the evenings,” the architect adds, “The way we positioned the bar, for example, allows you to see the sun set on the other side. It’s the perfect location for a sundowner.”
NaaV Studio likes to experiment with material, often testing it on-site to see how different textures and tones work together within the context of the space. “We have used concrete and breezeblocks, stone, metal and Corian marble,” says Reddy, “Then there are these small antique columns that blend in very well. What we do best is bring in a variety of materials, and make them all look good together.” The bar counter itself is a construction of Oolitic limestone set on circular brass legs, a captivating rugged structure set between two elegantly poised pieces of furniture. To the right, a sand-textured limestone counter is held up by slender copper stits and plus-shaped marble legs, and to the left is a fluted mild steel storage unit with a rustic finish. Behind this arrangement stands a kitchenette in Corian marble, an off-white monolight that perfectly complements the coral tones of the bar section. Most of the decorative lighting for the terrace was sourced from Harshita Jamthani, with lighting design by Mounika Kodali.
Also read: This weekend home in Alibag is a spectacular union of architecture and landscape design
Behind the dining table is the lift and a small gym room. The mustard tones of the sandstone floor on the terrace seeps up onto the walls of the yoga room, allowing it to remain distinct from the outdoor section, but still visually connected. A cane installation in the ceiling complements the cross-work on the wooden flooring. A light mist on the windows diffuses the sunlight on bright days, but can be completely opened up to invite the breeze.
.png)
.png)
