Project by
Akshat Bhatt
Architecture Discipline
Akshat Bhatt, Principal Architect of Architecture Discipline, New Delhi, founded the studio in 2007 to craft context-driven, future-ready architecture rooted in rationality and longevity. His diverse portfolio spans residences, hospitality, and urban projects, including The Oberoi Headquarters and India Pavilion. Bhatt’s award-winning work champions innovation, sustainability, and experiential design.
Framed entirely in mass timber, this residence in Vagator stands as a groundbreaking achievement — the first of its kind in India. Designed for Sahil Barua, co-founder of India’s largest e-commerce logistics company, the home exemplifies innovation, sustainability, and the refined beauty of honest material expression.
For over a century, concrete has shaped the built environment, yet its heavy carbon footprint urges the exploration of greener alternatives. This residence challenges convention by adopting mass timber construction, setting a new benchmark for sustainable architecture in India. The structure employs prefabricated glue-laminated timber frames, engineered with remarkable precision and assembled on-site in just 30 days — a testament to efficiency, reduced waste, and environmentally conscious design.
Set atop a steep, verdant slope, the house enjoys panoramic views of the Chapora River to the north and the Arabian Sea to the northwest. Its design respects the land’s natural contours, resting lightly on the terrain through stilts and minimal concrete retaining walls, thereby preserving the lush vegetation and ecological integrity of the site.
The home’s exterior is wrapped in charred timber panels and zinc cladding, allowing it to merge seamlessly with its forested surroundings while developing a graceful patina over time. This bold yet understated façade contrasts beautifully with the warm, open-plan interiors, where natural light, wood grains, and soft textures define an atmosphere of calm sophistication.
The spatial layout flows organically — expansive living areas open into a mezzanine gallery and a projecting dining pavilion, creating an interplay between enclosure and openness. Every space is designed to frame the surrounding landscape, allowing the outdoors to remain an ever-present element of daily life.
More than a house, this project represents a paradigm shift in Indian residential design — a fusion of technology, craftsmanship, and ecological awareness. By combining mass timber construction, prefabrication, and sensitive site integration, the Timber Residence demonstrates that architecture can be both innovative and restorative. Nestled between tropical greenery and the sea, it stands as a tranquil sanctuary — a home that breathes, adapts, and endures, setting a new precedent for sustainable living in the country.
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