THE ORCHARD HOUSE
Dera Mandi, New Delhi
Set within an existing orchard of mature Mango and Chikoo trees, The Orchard House was conceived as a quiet negotiation between built form and landscape. Rather than treating the site as a blank canvas, the architecture evolved around the existing trees — allowing courts, terraces, glazing and circulation spaces to frame shifting views of the orchard from different parts of the house.
No mature tree on site was relocated or damaged during construction. The house adapts itself to the landscape, allowing filtered light, deep shade and seasonal change to become integral to the spatial experience.
Spread across a 2.5-acre site within the forested edge of Dera Mandi, the residence accommodates approximately 15,000 sq.ft. of built space organised as a series of interconnected volumes positioned carefully around existing vegetation and open courts. Large glazed openings dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior, while deep overhangs, recessed openings and mature tree canopies temper the harsh north Indian sun.
The material palette remains intentionally restrained — pale natural stone, dark textured surfaces, warm timber cladding and black metal sections create a quiet backdrop against which the landscape remains the protagonist. Reflections of trees and sky across large expanses of glazing constantly shift through the day, allowing the house to feel immersed within the orchard rather than imposed upon it.
At the heart of the landscape, a lightweight timber pavilion filters light and shadow through rhythmic vertical battens, creating a shaded pause within the garden. The pavilion, pool court and orchard together form a sequence of outdoor spaces that encourage slow movement, gathering and retreat.
The architecture does not attempt to dominate the site. Instead, The Orchard House embraces the imperfections, shade patterns, textures and memory of an already mature landscape — allowing the experience of living within the trees to define the character of the home.
Typology
Private Residence
Scope
Architecture + Interior Design
Status
Completed
Site Area
2.5 Acres
Built-Up Area
15,000 sq.ft.
Photography
RSDA Archives