HYDERBAD’S  A city on the up, growing, spreading, a builder’s dream with new houses mushrooming from the once rocky terrain. They’re hard to miss, these new houses, expensive and showy, shouting for attention.

So it’s a bit of a surprise to come upon this modest earth-coloured structure, especially when it is located on the way to Hyderabad’s hi-tech city. That’s not the only thing that makes it different from the current crop of houses elbowing their way into existence, it’s also the fact that this is probably one of the first houses in the city to be made from mud-bricks.

The residence of Ratna Rao Shekar, editor of Housecalls magazine, the conception of the house dates back to an article in which she featured architect Chitra K. Vishwanath. Fascinated by the eco-friendly architecture that Vishwanath was doing in Bangalore — building houses made from mud bricks, the mud sourced during the digging up of the foundation, and largely using local materials — when Shekar finally decided to build her own house, she decided to practice what she preached, and hired Vishwanath to design the house.

Her brief to the architect included just a few requirements, that the house have an open-to-air central courtyard, because she had always wanted to live in a house where she could watch the rain fall indoors, lots of light and space.

In response, Vishwanath came up with the design of a two-storey structure, airy and light, united around a central courtyard, dividing up the public spaces between the two floors: living areas on top and the dining areas on the lower level, both floors with an equal quota of bedrooms.

For the Bangalore-based architect who has built dozens of such houses another one should have been a snap. Except that Hyderabad’s rocky terrain and strong sunlight meant she had to work with a whole new set of design parameters.

The primarily rocky earth in the plot meant that the mud for bricks had to sourced elsewhere. The walls were designed to be load bearing which not only made the house earthquake-proof, but also cut the use of concrete in the structure; the use of wood was also shunned in the building’s design.

The open-to-sky central courtyard is the key element around which the entire house is designed. Rising high in the centre of the house, it is covered on top with a mosquito mesh, and serves the very practical purpose of acting as a vent for hot air.

Another unique feature of the house is that instead of rising above eye-level, the house burrows below, a stratagem that ensures the basement remains cool throughout the harsh Hyderabad summer, while the rooms get enough light.

The first level is an open stretch of space that comprises the living room, an entertainment space demarcated from the living area by a low wall and the guest and master bedroom, while on the lower level are situated the children’s bedrooms, the kitchen, dining room and a semi-outdoor seating area.

SHEKAR IS A long-time collector of art, and plenty of wall space for displaying her collection was one of her requirements in the design.

The art is one of the first things to catch your eye when you enter the house. Displayed largely on the upper level, it is illuminated by the reflected light from the central skylight that paints the canvases in different hues throughout the day.

The bank of windows in the living room take advantage of the strong side-light that prevails in Hyderabad, to light up both room and art through the day.

The house favours an earthen palette and colour variation is kept as low as possible. No lead or paint was used in the house so the colour variations were added subtly with a mud wash, the slight differences in hue distinguishing one area from the other.

Shekar was slightly worried that the earthy colours of the house might prove a little overwhelmingly boring over time and decided to add strong bursts of colour with the furniture and soft furnishings.

Inspired by a trip she had taken to Santa Fe, she used a mixture of bright blues and pinks to add interest and energy to the house.

Blue highlights the door and window frames on the lower level and makes a bold statement in the boy’s room, while the girl’s room, painted white, is set off by soft furnishings in hot pink and furniture in warm wood. Green is used in the kitchen. Vishwanath used cool and warm shades in different sides of the house to best complement the natural light.

All the owner’s already existing furniture was incorporated in the décor. A few select pieces were refurbished or reworked in strong colours making them both contemporary and comfortable. In fact, the architect makes it a point to measure the furniture people have and keep it in mind when designing houses.

Not too much wood was used, except in the kitchen. For the rest, Shekar sourced much of her furniture from antique stores in Mumbai, where she unearthed some beautiful pieces made from quality wood.

Shekar didn’t want any clutter in her house, and the decor is correspondingly spare, and while not fitting into the concept of minimal, is in fact a perfect amalgam of tradition and minimalism.

10 Décor tips 

1. Settle for shape

WHEN you are buying furniture, concentrate on finding the shape and design you like. The rest, upholstery, soft furnishings and colours can always be changed.

2. Take your time

PUTTING your home together is not an overnight venture. So don’t feel pressurised to pick up everything for your house at one go. Pick and choose only what works for you, the house is always a work in progress.

3. The trick to ‘modern’ homes

THERE’S  no arguing that modern looks really good, but it can be hard to live in. If that’s your take on it, add some traditional to the mix: scatter some classic rugs, arrange knick-knacks in freestanding shelves and add traditional soft furnishings.

4. Add mood with lighting

IF ANY room needs moody lighting, a good way to achieve it is by suspending one bright source with a large lampshade over the centre of activity. Add a diffuser so you don’t see the bulb. A chandelier is another way to achieve the same thing

5. Use rugs to add texture

RUGS are a brilliant way of bringing colour, pattern and texture into the house. Even if it’s a modern minimal space. Just source natural-looking rugs made from materials such as jute, banana leaf and sisal, seagrass and coir.

6. Raid antique stores

DEPENDING on where in the world you are doing the raiding you can pick up handmade tiles, wooden beams, doors and furniture, all of which can add a unique touch to your house.

7. Show off your kitchen

BRING out the pots and pans, and use them as décor elements. Hang them from hooks or display them on open shelves, interspersed with interesting jars and tins.

8. Delete

DON’T be afraid to bin things you don’t like or those that have had their day. There’s no rule that says you have to hang on to every artefact you’ve ever bought or been gifted.

9. Work with what you believe in

IF YOU’VE had any eco-friendly impulses, or want to help local craftsmen, go for it. Commission or buy traditional textiles for curtains and blinds, it may cost you a bit more, but it’ll be worth it.

10. Show off your collections

WHETHER art or seashells, pottery or crystal, give your collections pride of place at home. It only makes the space that much more interesting.

Nishat Fatmia is a Hyderabad-based freelance journalist.