house of courts

House of Courts is a contemporary residence set within a two-acre Areca plantation in Bhatkal, Karnataka.

Here, the architecture is conceived as a court within the landscape, where the home and plantation coexist in dialogue. The design draws inspiration from traditional courtyard typologies while responding to the coastal climate and the rhythms of plantation life, creating a home that is intimate, open, and deeply connected to nature.

Materiality reinforces this connection to place. Locally sourced stone anchors the plinth and exterior courts, while hand-plastered walls, timber floors, and muted finishes create a tactile, grounded environment. Subtle metal accents and bespoke furniture pieces provide refinement without detracting from the house’s simplicity or its relationship with the landscape.

The architecture responds thoughtfully to the coastal climate. Open verandahs, wide overhangs, and cross-ventilated courts allow breezes to flow naturally, while the house embraces seasonal rain through designed water channels and shallow reflecting areas. The result is a home that is not sealed off from the environment but actively engages with it, blending the domestic experience with the rhythms of the plantation and surrounding landscape.

Beyond climate and materials, the design reflects a philosophy of living that balances privacy, interaction, and continuity with the natural surroundings. The house acts as both a retreat and a connector - a protected court within the plantation, yet open to the life of the trees, the wind, and the sky. Flexible layouts, layered spaces, and moments of pause ensure that daily life is enriched by both architecture and landscape.

House of Courts is ultimately a dialogue between built form and nature. By situating the home as a court within an Areca plantation, the project reinterprets traditional spatial principles for contemporary coastal living. It is a home where light, air, and greenery define the experience, where architecture frames and celebrates life within the plantation, and where everyday living becomes a quiet celebration of landscape, craft, and spatial harmony.