An urban retreat, Nagarkot is a popular destination near Kathmandu where people go to escape the summer heat and enjoy the freshness of the hills. It carries a rich traditional architectural heritage and features a diverse agricultural landscape. In 2019, Gaatha got an opportunity to create a twin residential farmhouse in this picturesque location. The design is Gaatha’s take on contemporary architecture on a hilly landscape in Nepal. 

The project sits on terrain facing mountains and hills to the north, capturing the view of Kathmandu valley in the distance, and also has a community temple to the immediate west side. Having a good knowledge of the site and its surroundings, the main idea behind the design was to create a place that exudes serenity while also being a part of a traditional neighborhood. Nagarkot has numerous settlements scattered throughout the hills that have a common characteristic of open frontward spaces in a typical traditional house. Therefore, the design of the farmhouse was planned to have a similar character of flow and connection of open spaces and built mass put together, despite being in a gated-secure environment and being private property. The farmhouse is tucked into the hilly landscape and incorporates a split volume in the structure that follows the stepped terrain of the land. The volume is designed with maximum glazing and light materials to bring clarity and lightness to the structure, so the mass would sit coherently with the sloping landscape. A central lawn with a stepped garden accompanies the twin farmhouse. The split volume is designed so that the living room extends outwardly to a veranda while the internal space has a central water courtyard that connects the open-plan kitchen and dining area. A central staircase acts as a backdrop circulation of the central court leading to the upper level, which has two bedrooms with private balcony space. Both houses have a backyard that provides a safer place in terms of wind and openness for family gatherings and private events. The backyard connects to the rooftop, where the landscape can be enjoyed in full grandeur.

The interior design, done in collaboration with an external team of interior designers named Coconut Groove Interiors headed by Ms. Maple, has a warm finish throughout, with naturally lit spaces all around. The central skylight drops all the way to the lower water court, bringing nature into the volume and giving a sense of free-flowing internal space expanding towards the external surrounding. All the rooms and circulation spaces frame the distant landscape and immediate gardens, offering a variety of experiences within the house.