River House is a residential home with five bedrooms, situated along the Mula River in Pune. The design features private spaces organized into cubist volumes that appear to float above the living rooms and gardens. An expansive pool extends towards the adjacent rice fields, creating a striking contrast with the first floor’s horizontal layout.
The design philosophy emphasizes integrating the beautiful Balinese landscape into the building. By embedding the existing topography, the design offers a three-dimensional experience with hallways, paths, and spaces that weave through the house. Reclaimed wood and locally sourced sandstone are used to create surfaces and textures that evoke a sense of timelessness and connect to Balinese vernacular architecture.

Surrounded by a forest of palm, banana, and bodhi trees, the house blends into the landscape of hills and rice fields. Wooden lattices on the side and front elevations give the structure an abstract, object-like appearance compared to traditional houses with windows. The carefully furnished bedrooms feature natural stone finishes, providing restful and recreational spaces.

The bedrooms, situated high above the ground, offer views of the sun setting over the coconut trees. Circulation within the house flows through semi-outdoor spaces, presenting unexpected perspectives and atmospheres. The highlight of the home is the expansive roof garden, accessible via a central atrium covered by a large skylight.