aher design studio

Nestled in the foothills of the Western Ghats near Sangamner, the ikyam is a modern farmhouse shaped by landscape, climate, and quiet restraint. Set on a one-acre site, the home gently embeds itself into the sloping terrain through terraced levels and basalt retaining walls that connect the cultivated farmland below to the rugged hillside above. The façade, visible in the image, highlights a balanced composition of white plastered planes, warm teak windows, and random-rubble basalt cladding that roots the structure to its rocky context.

The spatial planning follows a linear spine connecting living, dining, and private zones, each opening to verandahs, decks, and framed views of the valley. Shaded outdoor spaces blur boundaries with nature, drawing from vernacular Maharashtrian architecture. Inside, Kotah stone floors with Jaisalmer inlays, teak wood joinery, and soft natural light create a warm, quiet atmosphere. Passive design principles guide orientation, ventilation, and shading, ensuring year-round comfort with minimal environmental impact.

More than a weekend home, the ikyam Farmhouse becomes an immersive experience of place — where materiality, landscape, and light work together to create a timeless sense of calm and connection