0 00:00:10,005 --> 00:00:13,325 I think it’s time, Caroline,
to go and see how the other half live. 1 00:00:13,405 --> 00:00:15,365 Talk about welcome to my humble abode! 2 00:00:15,485 --> 00:00:19,485 Cor, that is a whole lot of house! 3 00:00:22,005 --> 00:00:25,445 He's Piers Taylor,
an award-winning architect. 4 00:00:25,685 --> 00:00:29,085 I mean, the depth of this wall
it’s four foot thick. 5 00:00:29,645 --> 00:00:31,005 After you, my Lord. 6 00:00:31,365 --> 00:00:32,805 And she’s Caroline Quentin, 7 00:00:33,365 --> 00:00:36,125 acclaimed actress
and passionate property developer. 8 00:00:36,645 --> 00:00:42,165 This house has the perfect ratio
of bedrooms to swimming pools. 9 00:00:42,245 --> 00:00:46,045 We’ve been given the keys
to some of the most incredible houses 10 00:00:46,125 --> 00:00:47,405 in the world. 11 00:00:47,565 --> 00:00:50,605 If we were left alone here
for any amount of time I have a feeling-- 12 00:00:50,685 --> 00:00:52,445 -We would ruin this house.
-[laughs] 13 00:00:52,925 --> 00:00:55,565 To discover the design innovation, passion 14 00:00:55,645 --> 00:00:59,085 and endurance needed
to transform architectural vision 15 00:00:59,165 --> 00:01:00,965 into an extraordinary home. 16 00:01:01,285 --> 00:01:02,125 Look! 17 00:01:02,525 --> 00:01:03,805 I’m dumbstruck. 18 00:01:04,565 --> 00:01:06,445 We’re traveling the globe. 19 00:01:06,525 --> 00:01:07,565 [laughs] 20 00:01:07,645 --> 00:01:09,325 Meeting architects and owners 21 00:01:09,405 --> 00:01:13,525 to explore how their daring homes
respond uniquely to local landscape, 22 00:01:13,605 --> 00:01:15,645 climate, and culture. 23 00:01:15,725 --> 00:01:18,765 I think this is probably
the greatest house I’ve ever been in. 24 00:01:19,085 --> 00:01:20,925 Whether it’s battling the elements 25 00:01:21,005 --> 00:01:22,325 to construct a dream home 26 00:01:22,405 --> 00:01:25,485 on dramatic
Scandinavian terrain... 27 00:01:25,565 --> 00:01:28,565 The architect was nervous
that things would go wrong. 28 00:01:28,645 --> 00:01:29,885 He couldn’t bear to look at it. 29 00:01:30,485 --> 00:01:33,765 Pushing the boundaries
of European experimentation. 30 00:01:34,205 --> 00:01:35,965 -I think that’s it.
-I think it is. 31 00:01:36,365 --> 00:01:40,205 When I looked at the proposal,
in the beginning I was almost shocked. 32 00:01:40,805 --> 00:01:44,285 ...celebrating craftsmanship
and beauty in Asia... 33 00:01:44,725 --> 00:01:48,005 We’ve likened this house
to dripping chocolate sauce 34 00:01:48,085 --> 00:01:49,525 all over vanilla ice cream. 35 00:01:49,765 --> 00:01:52,005 Or going all out for glamour in America. 36 00:01:52,645 --> 00:01:56,565 You just do what you do best,
is to create a masterpiece. 37 00:01:56,965 --> 00:01:59,885 Piers! Is this too Miami? 38 00:02:08,245 --> 00:02:12,165 We’ve arrived in Mumbai,
India’s most popular city. 39 00:02:12,245 --> 00:02:13,285 It's crazy. 40 00:02:14,765 --> 00:02:17,885 There are more billionaires here
than there are in Los Angeles, 41 00:02:17,965 --> 00:02:20,045 and a booming economy is
driving a passion 42 00:02:20,125 --> 00:02:21,765 for modern architecture. 43 00:02:23,245 --> 00:02:24,445 This looks like it. 44 00:02:25,605 --> 00:02:26,485 Hello. 45 00:02:26,845 --> 00:02:28,125 -Hi Ma'am!
-Hi. 46 00:02:28,765 --> 00:02:30,285 But we’re leaving the city... 47 00:02:30,365 --> 00:02:33,205 [horns blaring] 48 00:02:33,285 --> 00:02:36,165 because we’re following the smart money
out of Mumbai 49 00:02:36,245 --> 00:02:39,525 to the peaceful and dramatic landscapes
beyond. 50 00:02:39,605 --> 00:02:43,165 Where a new generation of architects
are running wild. 51 00:02:43,645 --> 00:02:46,365 I think this is thrilling
and I didn’t expect it. 52 00:02:46,925 --> 00:02:49,925 From a concrete fortress
that blends ancient form 53 00:02:50,005 --> 00:02:51,285 with modern design... 54 00:02:52,365 --> 00:02:56,765 ...to a feat of architectural daring,
with a visionary approach to landscape. 55 00:02:57,365 --> 00:03:00,325 The experience here
is identical in many ways 56 00:03:00,405 --> 00:03:02,605 just to being under the trees outside. 57 00:03:03,245 --> 00:03:06,205 And an idyllic riverside hideaway
that makes you feel, 58 00:03:06,285 --> 00:03:08,165 well, majestic. 59 00:03:08,605 --> 00:03:10,205 I know this is really bad, 60 00:03:10,645 --> 00:03:12,005 but I’ve got to do it. 61 00:03:13,325 --> 00:03:14,485 Maharani Quentin. 62 00:03:15,645 --> 00:03:16,485 that’s me. 63 00:03:17,685 --> 00:03:20,085 We’ll also be finding out
how Indian architects 64 00:03:20,205 --> 00:03:23,325 have drawn on their nation’s history
and craftsmanship, 65 00:03:24,005 --> 00:03:26,525 to blaze a trail into the future. 66 00:03:30,845 --> 00:03:32,685 [horns blaring] 67 00:03:32,765 --> 00:03:35,565 Gosh, you can see why people need
to get out of Mumbai, can’t you? 68 00:03:36,085 --> 00:03:39,925 Well, hopefully we’re heading away
from this chaos and into the countryside. 69 00:03:40,005 --> 00:03:41,725 We’re heading
into the countryside; 70 00:03:41,805 --> 00:03:44,325 I’m not convinced
we’re heading away from the chaos. 71 00:03:44,485 --> 00:03:46,485 [horns blaring] 72 00:03:47,885 --> 00:03:50,245 One thing we are escaping is the weather. 73 00:03:51,085 --> 00:03:53,045 We’ve chosen to come in the dry season 74 00:03:53,125 --> 00:03:56,165 because from June to September
it’s monsoon time. 75 00:03:57,925 --> 00:03:59,285 When the heavens open, 76 00:03:59,365 --> 00:04:02,525 up to a meter of rain
can fall in a single day, 77 00:04:02,605 --> 00:04:05,325 bringing cities to a halt
and flooding the land. 78 00:04:06,165 --> 00:04:08,405 And if that’s not intense enough, 79 00:04:08,485 --> 00:04:13,165 in the summer, temperatures can soar
to a scorching 40 degrees or higher. 80 00:04:13,805 --> 00:04:17,325 I’m intrigued to find out
how architects here respond passively 81 00:04:17,405 --> 00:04:19,245 to such extremes of climate. 82 00:04:20,085 --> 00:04:21,645 We’re traveling to see a home 83 00:04:21,725 --> 00:04:24,525 that has to deal
with some of the worst weather in India. 84 00:04:25,285 --> 00:04:26,805 It’s in a mountainous region, 85 00:04:26,885 --> 00:04:29,085 ...70 kilometers southeast of Mumbai. 86 00:04:30,325 --> 00:04:32,325 We’re arriving by the scenic route 87 00:04:32,725 --> 00:04:33,565 [ooh!] 88 00:04:33,645 --> 00:04:34,805 It’s quite a climb. 89 00:04:37,525 --> 00:04:38,405 Gosh. 90 00:04:40,445 --> 00:04:42,085 I wasn’t expecting that. 91 00:04:47,645 --> 00:04:50,605 This imposing house
is built like a fortress 92 00:04:50,685 --> 00:04:54,325 partly because the monsoon
breaks right overhead. 93 00:04:56,085 --> 00:04:58,485 And that tough outer shell
doubles as a way 94 00:04:58,565 --> 00:05:01,925 to protect light and airy interiors
from the baking heat. 95 00:05:04,085 --> 00:05:05,845 Perched on the edge of a rocky outcrop, 96 00:05:05,925 --> 00:05:09,845 it commands views across the flat-lands
to the mountains beyond. 97 00:05:11,365 --> 00:05:13,445 But this is no military bunker. 98 00:05:13,925 --> 00:05:16,725 It’s been created
as a relaxing weekend home 99 00:05:16,925 --> 00:05:19,485 for a Mumbai businessman and his family. 100 00:05:21,685 --> 00:05:22,845 That’s pretty. 101 00:05:23,885 --> 00:05:26,045 -It’s beautiful.
-Marigolds. 102 00:05:26,125 --> 00:05:28,645 You could almost lie on top
of that surface couldn’t you? 103 00:05:28,725 --> 00:05:29,725 Aren’t they lovely? 104 00:05:29,805 --> 00:05:31,845 -Aren’t they beautiful?
-What a color. 105 00:05:31,925 --> 00:05:34,605 Gosh, that against that blue
is phenomenal. 106 00:05:35,125 --> 00:05:37,365 I think this splash of floral color 107 00:05:37,445 --> 00:05:40,445 is a clue that behind this tough exterior, 108 00:05:40,525 --> 00:05:42,725 lies a house with real warmth. 109 00:05:42,805 --> 00:05:45,805 I’ve just got to get a sense
of where we are, what the context is. 110 00:05:46,605 --> 00:05:50,205 I’m just curious to see
how the house sits. 111 00:05:50,845 --> 00:05:53,685 And I think it sits right on the edge
of this escarpment 112 00:05:53,765 --> 00:05:56,685 and somewhere out there
is a fantastic view. 113 00:05:57,365 --> 00:05:59,685 But I have to say I’m really excited
about this house 114 00:05:59,765 --> 00:06:04,165 because this house might marry
a real sense of the ancient... 115 00:06:04,245 --> 00:06:06,445 with modernity. 116 00:06:08,725 --> 00:06:10,165 The challenge here was to build 117 00:06:10,245 --> 00:06:13,685 the house of liquid stone
on the edge of a steep cliff, 118 00:06:13,765 --> 00:06:15,405 exposed to the elements. 119 00:06:16,045 --> 00:06:19,485 The entrance is formed
by a huge cantilevered canopy 120 00:06:19,645 --> 00:06:23,565 to protect cars and visitors
from the monsoon deluge. 121 00:06:23,645 --> 00:06:24,485 CANOPY 122 00:06:24,565 --> 00:06:28,445 The architect built the house
around two existing mango trees. 123 00:06:28,525 --> 00:06:30,125 MANGO TREES 124 00:06:30,205 --> 00:06:32,845 Three open courtyards bring air and light 125 00:06:32,925 --> 00:06:35,045 into a large sitting-dining area... 126 00:06:35,125 --> 00:06:36,085 SITTING/DINING 127 00:06:36,165 --> 00:06:38,645 ...three en-suite bedrooms, and a kitchen. 128 00:06:38,725 --> 00:06:40,325 EN-SUITE BEDROOMS, KITCHEN 129 00:06:40,405 --> 00:06:42,725 A second floor with bedroom and bathroom 130 00:06:42,805 --> 00:06:45,085 burrows down into the cliff face. 131 00:06:45,165 --> 00:06:46,525 BEDROOM AND BATHROOM 132 00:06:49,125 --> 00:06:52,805 This house looks quite monolithic
and singular on the outside. 133 00:06:55,485 --> 00:06:57,525 But on the inside,
it’s not like that at all. 134 00:06:57,605 --> 00:07:00,365 It’s an almost
labyrinth-like set of spaces 135 00:07:00,525 --> 00:07:02,445 where there’s this ambiguity 136 00:07:02,525 --> 00:07:05,925 around what’s actually inside
and what’s outside. 137 00:07:08,245 --> 00:07:10,925 The forest has been allowed
to creep indoors. 138 00:07:11,965 --> 00:07:14,125 Grasses were woven into living areas 139 00:07:14,205 --> 00:07:16,965 and trees grow freely in the courtyards. 140 00:07:17,765 --> 00:07:20,765 In some parts,
nature is even taking over the concrete. 141 00:07:23,045 --> 00:07:25,485 And those boundaries
between inside and outside 142 00:07:25,565 --> 00:07:27,645 are blurred in the most everyday spaces. 143 00:07:29,125 --> 00:07:32,565 Bathrooms are often talked about
in terms of the fittings they have, 144 00:07:32,645 --> 00:07:34,125 you know, the taps and so on. 145 00:07:34,485 --> 00:07:36,565 I’m not really interested in all of that. 146 00:07:36,645 --> 00:07:40,605 What I’m interested in is atmosphere,
the experience of bathing. 147 00:07:41,045 --> 00:07:44,925 But, because I’m busy, I usually shower.
You know, I don’t have time to bathe. 148 00:07:45,005 --> 00:07:46,085 But I think if I did, 149 00:07:46,165 --> 00:07:48,725 it would have to be under a mango tree, 150 00:07:48,805 --> 00:07:50,845 surrounded by marigolds. 151 00:07:51,885 --> 00:07:55,445 It makes the interior atmosphere
visceral and sensual, 152 00:07:55,885 --> 00:07:57,445 but these open spaces and trees 153 00:07:57,525 --> 00:08:00,445 aren’t the only connection
to that outside environment. 154 00:08:04,365 --> 00:08:07,885 This house is called the House
of Liquid Stone for a couple of reasons. 155 00:08:07,965 --> 00:08:12,245 Mainly because it sits on basalt,
a rock that is this escarpment 156 00:08:12,325 --> 00:08:14,325 and that same rock is ground up 157 00:08:14,405 --> 00:08:16,325 and put into the concrete as aggregate 158 00:08:16,405 --> 00:08:19,085 and it gives it this fantastic patina. 159 00:08:19,165 --> 00:08:22,085 But it’s also because
the accommodation of this house 160 00:08:22,165 --> 00:08:24,085 literally steps down the hill. 161 00:08:24,165 --> 00:08:26,605 The rooms flow down the hill. 162 00:08:28,245 --> 00:08:32,085 This local rock has been used
alongside stone from across India 163 00:08:32,165 --> 00:08:34,965 to create striking contrasts of texture 164 00:08:35,045 --> 00:08:37,365 that take you on a journey
through the house. 165 00:08:38,085 --> 00:08:40,085 From the rough gravel entrances, 166 00:08:41,165 --> 00:08:43,645 through hallways of mapped flagstones... 167 00:08:44,725 --> 00:08:48,045 to the polished stone floors
of the living rooms. 168 00:08:49,125 --> 00:08:52,605 And here to the courtyard
where the high basalt concrete walls 169 00:08:52,685 --> 00:08:55,805 frame the view out towards the mountain. 170 00:09:02,005 --> 00:09:04,725 -It’s quite a view, isn’t it?
-Oh, Piers, it’s lovely, isn’t it? 171 00:09:05,445 --> 00:09:07,005 It’s a nice pool 172 00:09:07,085 --> 00:09:10,805 and I know you’ve heard this before,
but I will be swimming in that later. 173 00:09:11,085 --> 00:09:14,445 Like that enticing pool,
the rooms on this side of the house 174 00:09:14,525 --> 00:09:17,325 feel like they're hanging onto
the edge of the cliff-side, 175 00:09:17,405 --> 00:09:19,245 with nothing but fresh air below. 176 00:09:22,565 --> 00:09:25,245 I’m just having a little snoop
around the bedrooms. 177 00:09:26,325 --> 00:09:30,045 And this is
a very simple, quite large bedroom. 178 00:09:30,125 --> 00:09:32,365 I just want to have
a look out of the window. 179 00:09:34,485 --> 00:09:36,165 Well, that’s very pleasing. 180 00:09:37,485 --> 00:09:41,365 It’s a sash mechanism, but it’s, yes, 181 00:09:41,445 --> 00:09:44,445 -using a counterweight,
-[slaps the stone] 182 00:09:44,525 --> 00:09:46,885 and the weight is visible. 183 00:09:47,245 --> 00:09:48,405 [window shuts] 184 00:09:48,485 --> 00:09:50,085 I think that’s really beautiful. 185 00:09:51,965 --> 00:09:53,405 It’s a shame about the view. 186 00:10:01,645 --> 00:10:03,485 The surprise of this house 187 00:10:03,565 --> 00:10:07,885 is how much lies behind
this very blank elevation. 188 00:10:08,445 --> 00:10:10,085 It gives nothing away. 189 00:10:10,525 --> 00:10:13,045 But behind that blank concrete wall 190 00:10:13,125 --> 00:10:18,005 is a rich and complex house
that is as deep as it is wide... 191 00:10:19,165 --> 00:10:20,085 but curiously, 192 00:10:20,165 --> 00:10:23,085 that presents a problem,
because in deep plan buildings, 193 00:10:23,525 --> 00:10:26,405 you have no light or ventilation
in the middle. 194 00:10:26,485 --> 00:10:27,405 So what he’s done 195 00:10:27,485 --> 00:10:29,485 is introduce a series of courtyards 196 00:10:29,565 --> 00:10:32,085 that run right the way through the house. 197 00:10:32,165 --> 00:10:36,205 Then these courtyards vent
and light everything else. 198 00:10:36,285 --> 00:10:39,445 And then around that are the bedrooms. 199 00:10:39,605 --> 00:10:43,685 This is, in some ways,
a traditional Indian courtyard house 200 00:10:43,765 --> 00:10:48,205 hiding behind this 30 meter long
concrete elevation. 201 00:10:50,485 --> 00:10:53,005 And it’s in those quiet courtyard spaces 202 00:10:53,085 --> 00:10:56,005 that the cares of the world
just drift away. 203 00:10:57,445 --> 00:10:59,325 Gosh, you’re making yourself at home. 204 00:10:59,725 --> 00:11:02,565 It’s funny you should say that.
I feel so at home here. 205 00:11:02,805 --> 00:11:04,965 I feel here that this is a place 206 00:11:05,045 --> 00:11:06,205 where kids are welcome, 207 00:11:06,285 --> 00:11:08,125 where you can make
as much mess as you like, 208 00:11:08,205 --> 00:11:10,605 you can really enjoy yourselves and relax. 209 00:11:10,685 --> 00:11:14,405 -You planning on making a big mess?
-[laughing] Yeah. 210 00:11:16,325 --> 00:11:19,085 Relaxation is at the heart of this house, 211 00:11:20,445 --> 00:11:23,485 from the swing benches
to the spa-like bathrooms 212 00:11:23,565 --> 00:11:26,165 and nature quietly growing around you. 213 00:11:28,125 --> 00:11:30,885 It’s there too,
in the contrast of materials. 214 00:11:30,965 --> 00:11:32,925 Hard stone and concrete are softened 215 00:11:33,005 --> 00:11:35,445 by wooden furniture
and brightly colored fabrics. 216 00:11:37,565 --> 00:11:40,165 Concrete has a reputation for austerity, 217 00:11:40,245 --> 00:11:42,885 but this house is so warm and tactile. 218 00:11:43,925 --> 00:11:47,125 Architect Sangeeta Merchant
and Sanjeev Panjabi 219 00:11:47,205 --> 00:11:49,925 have agreed to talk me through
their approach. 220 00:11:50,085 --> 00:11:52,645 Is this house particularly Indian,
do you feel? 221 00:11:52,805 --> 00:11:55,605 We’ve tried to bring in
a sort of Indian-ness 222 00:11:55,685 --> 00:11:57,565 through spaces, not through the form. 223 00:11:57,925 --> 00:12:00,765 Indian families generally
come together in the courtyard. 224 00:12:01,285 --> 00:12:05,565 Courtyard homes have always been
the kind of homes we’ve lived in. 225 00:12:05,725 --> 00:12:07,485 Indian families are generally big 226 00:12:07,565 --> 00:12:09,445 and they would bring ten more people. 227 00:12:09,525 --> 00:12:12,845 You know, there’s always friends
and cousins and extended family, 228 00:12:12,925 --> 00:12:16,405 so the courtyard just becomes
that room for expansion. 229 00:12:16,845 --> 00:12:18,565 We’ve likened this house 230 00:12:18,685 --> 00:12:21,365 to dripping chocolate sauce
over vanilla ice cream. 231 00:12:21,445 --> 00:12:25,845 You know, the idea was to have a flat top
and just drip it like a rivers building. 232 00:12:25,925 --> 00:12:27,885 That’s why it’s called liquid stone. 233 00:12:28,005 --> 00:12:31,765 And when you first showed your clients
the model or the scheme for this, 234 00:12:31,925 --> 00:12:33,405 -what did they say?
-Shock. 235 00:12:33,485 --> 00:12:34,685 -Shock?
-Yeah. 236 00:12:34,765 --> 00:12:37,845 We like that, we like that shock value. 237 00:12:37,925 --> 00:12:40,565 Unless it’s something new
and bang smack in the face, 238 00:12:41,085 --> 00:12:43,365 you’ve not done anything,
you’ve not broken new ground. 239 00:12:45,925 --> 00:12:50,245 I want to ask owner Gaurav
if he also likes the shock value. 240 00:12:50,325 --> 00:12:54,245 Presumably the choice of concrete was,
you were pleased with that, were you? 241 00:12:55,405 --> 00:12:59,085 I was pleased initially,
and once the house was being built 242 00:12:59,165 --> 00:13:02,765 and we saw the concrete and then
we had second thoughts and doubts. 243 00:13:02,845 --> 00:13:05,525 We were always concerned
that my grandparents, 244 00:13:05,605 --> 00:13:07,805 when they came in,
they would love the place and say, 245 00:13:07,885 --> 00:13:10,365 -"Well, it’s lovely until you paint it."
-[laughs] 246 00:13:10,445 --> 00:13:13,365 That concrete will be gorgeous
once it’s a different color. 247 00:13:13,445 --> 00:13:16,525 Yeah, so it was a leap of faith, 248 00:13:16,605 --> 00:13:18,245 and I’m glad we took it. 249 00:13:19,165 --> 00:13:21,845 And the location of the site didn’t help. 250 00:13:22,445 --> 00:13:24,725 And how was this,
building this house here 251 00:13:24,805 --> 00:13:25,965 in this very rural… 252 00:13:26,045 --> 00:13:28,005 Oh, man. Not easy. 253 00:13:28,285 --> 00:13:30,805 So this was a crazy slope and… 254 00:13:31,005 --> 00:13:33,365 The rain is like four or five months, 255 00:13:33,445 --> 00:13:36,645 so during that time
you can’t even stand here. 256 00:13:36,725 --> 00:13:38,845 The first time we came,
we had an umbrella. 257 00:13:38,925 --> 00:13:40,685 The umbrella flew away, and we’re like, 258 00:13:40,765 --> 00:13:43,565 "We better build something solid here,
or it’s not gonna last." 259 00:13:45,325 --> 00:13:47,285 Because they were using local basalt, 260 00:13:47,605 --> 00:13:50,165 all of the concrete was prepared onsite. 261 00:13:50,325 --> 00:13:52,045 So when the monsoon rains hit, 262 00:13:52,125 --> 00:13:54,365 construction work ground to a halt. 263 00:13:56,005 --> 00:13:57,605 Progress was slow... 264 00:13:58,245 --> 00:14:00,885 and it took two and a half years
to build the house. 265 00:14:02,365 --> 00:14:06,285 -It’s very easy to be in, isn’t it?
-Yes. 266 00:14:06,365 --> 00:14:09,325 -Was that part of the joy for you?
-That’s actually, 267 00:14:09,405 --> 00:14:12,325 I think unanimously what all my guests say 268 00:14:12,405 --> 00:14:15,205 when they come here
and they feel at home instantly and-- 269 00:14:15,285 --> 00:14:16,845 Because the impact it has is immediate, 270 00:14:16,925 --> 00:14:18,005 -isn’t it?
-Absolutely. 271 00:14:18,085 --> 00:14:20,805 The way it is now I couldn’t imagine it
being any other way. 272 00:14:22,485 --> 00:14:23,925 And nor can we. 273 00:14:25,765 --> 00:14:29,645 This house is a great example of clients
and architects coming together 274 00:14:29,725 --> 00:14:31,765 to create something really unusual. 275 00:14:33,165 --> 00:14:34,925 By interweaving traditional spaces 276 00:14:35,005 --> 00:14:37,605 and the natural world
into a modern building, 277 00:14:38,685 --> 00:14:42,965 they’ve created a warm, relaxed,
and intimate piece of architecture. 278 00:14:48,765 --> 00:14:51,725 Finally the moment I’ve been waiting for. 279 00:15:11,765 --> 00:15:14,805 Our next stop is a few miles southwest, 280 00:15:14,885 --> 00:15:17,405 at a home where the architects
have decided to work 281 00:15:17,485 --> 00:15:20,365 with the landscape
in a completely different way. 282 00:15:22,605 --> 00:15:25,965 To get there, we’re traveling deep
into the Western Ghats, 283 00:15:26,045 --> 00:15:29,685 a beautiful mountainous region
that straddles the west of India. 284 00:15:30,885 --> 00:15:35,285 There are 160,000 square kilometers
of rugged wilderness 285 00:15:35,365 --> 00:15:38,765 packed with dense rain forests,
lakes, and rivers, 286 00:15:38,925 --> 00:15:41,685 with ancient forts clinging to the peaks 287 00:15:41,765 --> 00:15:44,445 and wild panthers still roaming the hills. 288 00:15:47,045 --> 00:15:50,365 And we’re curious to know
how you make architecture 289 00:15:50,445 --> 00:15:53,125 that deals with surroundings
as epic as this. 290 00:15:54,925 --> 00:15:55,925 Piers, look. 291 00:15:58,285 --> 00:15:59,325 I think this is us. 292 00:16:08,965 --> 00:16:10,645 The House of Three Streams 293 00:16:10,725 --> 00:16:13,125 has been very much shaped
by the landscape. 294 00:16:16,245 --> 00:16:19,165 The result is a fluid, enigmatic house 295 00:16:19,245 --> 00:16:21,645 that almost tiptoes down the hillside, 296 00:16:21,725 --> 00:16:26,405 through a series of origami-like
roofed verandas and open spaces. 297 00:16:31,005 --> 00:16:35,325 It takes its name from the waterways that
flow around and even through the house 298 00:16:35,405 --> 00:16:37,605 during the heavy monsoon rains; 299 00:16:38,325 --> 00:16:43,085 because this is architecture that’s
all about letting nature do the talking. 300 00:16:47,205 --> 00:16:48,445 My first impressions... 301 00:16:50,005 --> 00:16:53,005 of this home are that 302 00:16:53,085 --> 00:16:56,565 it’s so delicately placed. 303 00:16:56,645 --> 00:17:00,405 The house isn’t interfering with
the beauty of the landscape. 304 00:17:00,845 --> 00:17:02,965 There’s also real ambiguity
in terms of how you get in. 305 00:17:03,045 --> 00:17:05,445 I mean, there’s no obvious front door; 306 00:17:05,525 --> 00:17:08,445 you can just slide into the building
from wherever you want. 307 00:17:08,845 --> 00:17:11,525 There’s hardly a house here at all really,
Piers. 308 00:17:11,605 --> 00:17:12,885 -Is there?
-Just shade. 309 00:17:12,965 --> 00:17:14,085 A roof and a floor. 310 00:17:15,325 --> 00:17:19,365 There are more than 1000 square meters
of house that's not a house here, 311 00:17:20,165 --> 00:17:21,125 all flowing out 312 00:17:21,205 --> 00:17:23,205 from a fort style wall and tower, 313 00:17:23,365 --> 00:17:25,525 which forms the spine of the building. 314 00:17:26,165 --> 00:17:28,725 It’s an incredibly steep site, 315 00:17:28,805 --> 00:17:30,965 framed by seasonal waterways. 316 00:17:31,605 --> 00:17:34,605 The house is a series
of asymmetrical zinc roofed verandas... 317 00:17:34,685 --> 00:17:35,685 ZINC-TOPPED VERANDAS 318 00:17:35,765 --> 00:17:37,045 ...scattered down the hillside, 319 00:17:37,125 --> 00:17:39,765 providing outdoor
and indoor dining spaces. 320 00:17:39,845 --> 00:17:40,805 DINING, KITCHEN 321 00:17:40,885 --> 00:17:43,765 A kitchen, living space
and viewing platform. 322 00:17:43,845 --> 00:17:45,325 LIVING ROOM, VIEWING PLATFORM 323 00:17:45,405 --> 00:17:49,045 En-suite bedrooms are tucked out of sight,
placed on top of each other... 324 00:17:49,125 --> 00:17:50,045 BEDROOMS 1 & 2 325 00:17:50,125 --> 00:17:51,725 ...to allow uninterrupted views. 326 00:17:51,805 --> 00:17:53,085 At the lowest level, 327 00:17:53,165 --> 00:17:55,845 a swimming pool forms
the roof of two more bedrooms. 328 00:17:55,925 --> 00:17:56,765 SWIMMING POOL 329 00:17:56,845 --> 00:17:58,405 BEDROOMS 3 & 4 330 00:17:59,245 --> 00:18:03,925 Wow! Suddenly,
we’re underneath a really exciting space. 331 00:18:04,005 --> 00:18:06,765 I think this is thrilling
and I didn’t expect it. 332 00:18:06,845 --> 00:18:12,885 I didn’t expect it to have
all these wonderful crisscross of beams, 333 00:18:12,965 --> 00:18:15,125 and on just that metal on top. 334 00:18:15,205 --> 00:18:17,765 But actually in this landscapes
and in this context, 335 00:18:17,845 --> 00:18:21,485 what you need above all else
is shade from the sun 336 00:18:21,565 --> 00:18:22,845 or shelter from the rain, 337 00:18:22,925 --> 00:18:26,805 and you need as big a roof as possible
and actually not much else. 338 00:18:26,885 --> 00:18:31,005 I like the idea of, Piers,
being up here during the monsoon 339 00:18:31,085 --> 00:18:35,205 and hearing the rain thundering
on this metal roof 340 00:18:35,285 --> 00:18:38,845 and being inside this space
with the glass looking outside. 341 00:18:38,925 --> 00:18:41,125 I mean, it must be virtually impossible 342 00:18:41,205 --> 00:18:44,365 to see your hand in front of your face
when the monsoons come here. 343 00:18:44,445 --> 00:18:47,405 Here we are now,
when there isn’t a monsoon, 344 00:18:47,485 --> 00:18:49,565 but we’re equally immersed in nature. 345 00:18:49,645 --> 00:18:52,485 The experience here is identical,
in many ways, 346 00:18:52,565 --> 00:18:54,645 just to being under the trees outside. 347 00:18:56,205 --> 00:18:59,845 In fact, trees inspired
one of the key pieces of design. 348 00:19:00,765 --> 00:19:02,525 These unusual beam structures 349 00:19:02,605 --> 00:19:05,725 unlock the underlying philosophy
of the architecture. 350 00:19:06,885 --> 00:19:09,765 So instead of there being
regular repetitive columns, 351 00:19:09,845 --> 00:19:14,445 there’s this beautifully complex series
of trusses that come down to the ground 352 00:19:14,525 --> 00:19:17,805 as trees pulling back
all the structure from the edge. 353 00:19:18,405 --> 00:19:22,565 And what it means is that the house
provides uninterrupted panoramic views 354 00:19:22,645 --> 00:19:25,125 of the landscape from wherever you look. 355 00:19:27,125 --> 00:19:29,845 The wilderness
has also been embraced by the architects 356 00:19:29,925 --> 00:19:32,565 to shape every aspect of their approach. 357 00:19:33,485 --> 00:19:37,205 This house is all about landscape
in plan and in section. 358 00:19:38,845 --> 00:19:42,525 The site is a steeply sloping site
that steps down the hill 359 00:19:42,605 --> 00:19:47,085 and what these architects have done
is then to look at the contours 360 00:19:47,165 --> 00:19:49,565 and work out where the hollows are 361 00:19:49,645 --> 00:19:53,725 and then where on the flat pieces
they can either place 362 00:19:54,445 --> 00:19:57,365 pieces of building or bridges 363 00:19:57,765 --> 00:20:00,045 to get across
from one building to another. 364 00:20:02,525 --> 00:20:06,045 Once the architects
have identified the flat pieces of land, 365 00:20:06,125 --> 00:20:09,045 they then decided what part of the house
they would become. 366 00:20:09,645 --> 00:20:12,965 And with such a steep site
dictating where they could build, 367 00:20:13,045 --> 00:20:15,445 the house ended up
being split across six levels. 368 00:20:17,925 --> 00:20:21,245 And it’s the experience of stepping down
through the site, 369 00:20:21,325 --> 00:20:24,165 through the natural trees
and through the man-made trees, 370 00:20:24,245 --> 00:20:26,965 that makes the experience of this house
so exciting. 371 00:20:29,325 --> 00:20:32,365 That immersive feeling
of living amongst the trees 372 00:20:32,485 --> 00:20:34,365 even follows you indoors. 373 00:20:37,885 --> 00:20:41,045 There’s a suite here
with an en-suite bathroom. 374 00:20:42,845 --> 00:20:46,005 If you listen very carefully,
you can hear all the birds. 375 00:20:49,365 --> 00:20:52,285 I imagine in here is-- ah! 376 00:20:53,485 --> 00:20:55,725 There's a bathroom here
and it’s a good one. 377 00:21:00,045 --> 00:21:02,725 This stone that is used
throughout the house 378 00:21:03,445 --> 00:21:06,925 is used in here, and it’s called Kota. 379 00:21:08,005 --> 00:21:11,605 And it’s from southern India,
and it is so beautiful. 380 00:21:11,685 --> 00:21:14,165 It’s a soft slatey green, 381 00:21:14,245 --> 00:21:16,565 and it gives everywhere you go 382 00:21:16,965 --> 00:21:19,685 a sort of feeling of being under water. 383 00:21:19,765 --> 00:21:21,365 And here, in the shower room, 384 00:21:21,805 --> 00:21:23,765 you could open up these shutters 385 00:21:23,845 --> 00:21:27,045 and be showering
with the birds in the trees. 386 00:21:28,205 --> 00:21:31,245 What’s incredible is that I’ve been 387 00:21:31,325 --> 00:21:35,165 into lots and lots of bathrooms
in my life, 388 00:21:35,645 --> 00:21:36,685 but I realize, 389 00:21:37,765 --> 00:21:41,925 this is one
of the all-time great bathrooms. 390 00:21:46,765 --> 00:21:48,845 There is a real sense of the architecture 391 00:21:48,925 --> 00:21:52,405 being in an intimate relationship
with its natural environment. 392 00:21:54,325 --> 00:21:58,365 Owner and architect Kamal Malik
is going to take me through its story. 393 00:22:00,165 --> 00:22:03,205 Why did you build a house in this region? 394 00:22:03,285 --> 00:22:05,565 I was born and brought up 395 00:22:06,045 --> 00:22:07,405 and did my entire schooling 396 00:22:08,365 --> 00:22:10,445 in the Himalayas, and they are mountains. 397 00:22:11,285 --> 00:22:14,045 And here was an opportunity
close to Mumbai, 398 00:22:14,125 --> 00:22:15,645 and you can get into the hills 399 00:22:15,725 --> 00:22:18,965 and you have a kind of setting in a way, 400 00:22:19,645 --> 00:22:21,205 that I spent my childhood in. 401 00:22:21,725 --> 00:22:24,565 And we had these wonderful streams, 402 00:22:24,645 --> 00:22:26,725 three of them, that flowed from the site, 403 00:22:26,925 --> 00:22:29,565 and we saw it during the monsoon
and it was quite amazing. 404 00:22:30,885 --> 00:22:35,525 The other thing which happened here
was the inspiration of the tree. 405 00:22:35,765 --> 00:22:37,325 So you see the trunk, 406 00:22:38,005 --> 00:22:40,285 and you see the branches,
and if you look back 407 00:22:40,405 --> 00:22:43,685 you will see
the actual support of the roof 408 00:22:44,285 --> 00:22:46,725 is an echo of an understanding of that. 409 00:22:46,805 --> 00:22:48,925 Curiously that was my first impression, 410 00:22:49,005 --> 00:22:51,485 coming in and actually feeling like
I was under a tree. 411 00:22:51,565 --> 00:22:54,045 So you never have
that sense of there being 412 00:22:54,125 --> 00:22:56,645 something between you and landscape, 413 00:22:56,725 --> 00:23:00,085 So in the tropics, you would spend
most of your time in the veranda, 414 00:23:01,005 --> 00:23:03,765 because this is
where you experience the breeze, 415 00:23:03,845 --> 00:23:05,245 you experience nature, 416 00:23:05,325 --> 00:23:08,885 and you even enjoy the rain
and so on, so forth, sitting in there. 417 00:23:08,965 --> 00:23:12,205 I think it’s only to sleep
that you’re going to go inside a room. 418 00:23:12,285 --> 00:23:14,245 Every room has been designed basically 419 00:23:14,325 --> 00:23:16,565 for both a natural ventilation, 420 00:23:16,645 --> 00:23:19,325 the ability to look out,
to be in union with nature, 421 00:23:21,005 --> 00:23:23,205 you know, and be able to see. 422 00:23:24,325 --> 00:23:26,285 This house was a family affair, 423 00:23:26,365 --> 00:23:31,005 and Kamal worked closely
with his son, fellow architect, Arjun. 424 00:23:31,085 --> 00:23:34,965 The views from here, Arjun,
are second to none. 425 00:23:35,045 --> 00:23:37,365 They’re extraordinarily beautiful,
aren’t they? 426 00:23:37,445 --> 00:23:38,285 Mm-hm. 427 00:23:38,365 --> 00:23:42,045 Because of course you have designed
and built this house with your father. 428 00:23:42,125 --> 00:23:43,965 -Mm-hm.
-And I have to ask you, 429 00:23:45,005 --> 00:23:47,885 what’s it like working with your dad? 430 00:23:48,205 --> 00:23:50,405 The process
has been wonderful and rewarding. 431 00:23:50,485 --> 00:23:53,085 It has had its impact in this house,
for example, 432 00:23:53,325 --> 00:23:56,405 my parents don’t enjoy being in the water, 433 00:23:56,485 --> 00:23:59,725 so therefore we separated
the veranda spaces, 434 00:23:59,805 --> 00:24:02,565 where he and his friends could be
in a particular place. 435 00:24:03,365 --> 00:24:06,205 My family and our friends
could be closer to the pool 436 00:24:06,285 --> 00:24:09,605 and have our own kind of privacy and space
and yet be connected. 437 00:24:09,685 --> 00:24:14,005 Everyone has their own favorite place,
and that’s the whole point. 438 00:24:14,085 --> 00:24:15,685 It’s choice, it’s openness. 439 00:24:15,765 --> 00:24:19,285 When you spend time here,
what do you end up doing? 440 00:24:20,405 --> 00:24:21,405 Pretty much nothing. 441 00:24:21,485 --> 00:24:22,365 -Really?
-Yeah. 442 00:24:22,445 --> 00:24:24,445 Swimming, talking, listening to music. 443 00:24:24,565 --> 00:24:25,405 And what a pool. 444 00:24:25,485 --> 00:24:27,965 I mean,
it’s an extraordinarily beautiful thing 445 00:24:28,445 --> 00:24:29,725 in and of itself. 446 00:24:30,125 --> 00:24:32,965 So why did you decide
to raise the pool up, 447 00:24:33,045 --> 00:24:35,005 sort of into the view almost? 448 00:24:35,645 --> 00:24:38,365 When it gets really warm,
all the water sources dry up, 449 00:24:38,605 --> 00:24:42,125 and the rats and frogs start to gravitate
to any potential water source 450 00:24:42,205 --> 00:24:43,325 and the snakes follow. 451 00:24:43,405 --> 00:24:44,885 That’s not particularly safe. 452 00:24:44,965 --> 00:24:47,525 To avoid that, we lifted up the pool
to restrict access. 453 00:24:47,685 --> 00:24:49,485 It’s got the sense of infinity. 454 00:24:49,565 --> 00:24:53,325 You’re swimming in the tree line
with the mountains in the horizon. 455 00:24:53,645 --> 00:24:56,205 Your father’s an architect.
You are an architect. 456 00:24:56,285 --> 00:24:59,205 At any point did it cross your mind
to become a Bollywood star? 457 00:24:59,285 --> 00:25:01,285 because you’re so stupidly handsome! 458 00:25:02,245 --> 00:25:06,205 No, it didn’t. It actually didn’t,
but thank you. That’s very flattering. 459 00:25:06,285 --> 00:25:08,765 You’re welcome.
I think you missed an opportunity. 460 00:25:10,325 --> 00:25:13,405 Well, Bollywood's loss
is definitely architecture's gain. 461 00:25:14,085 --> 00:25:15,765 The whole place is beautiful. 462 00:25:24,285 --> 00:25:27,245 For our third house,
we’ve come a few miles north, 463 00:25:27,325 --> 00:25:29,205 near the rural town of Karjat. 464 00:25:29,285 --> 00:25:30,325 KARJAT 465 00:25:30,405 --> 00:25:32,805 We’ve been given the keys
to a weekend house 466 00:25:32,885 --> 00:25:35,005 designed as a highly discreet addition 467 00:25:35,085 --> 00:25:38,125 into a scene of bucolic natural beauty. 468 00:25:38,765 --> 00:25:41,445 It’s been built
by two award-winning architects, 469 00:25:41,525 --> 00:25:44,605 but it’s so well-hidden,
we don’t know exactly where it is. 470 00:25:47,485 --> 00:25:49,605 I think this one looks like a walk,
don't you? 471 00:25:49,685 --> 00:25:51,325 -Yeah.
-It’s a lovely spot, isn’t it? 472 00:26:00,085 --> 00:26:01,165 Still no house. 473 00:26:02,645 --> 00:26:03,525 Ah, here we are. 474 00:26:04,205 --> 00:26:06,045 It’s a sign of something, look. 475 00:26:06,125 --> 00:26:07,045 There’s something 476 00:26:08,045 --> 00:26:09,165 strange about finding 477 00:26:09,245 --> 00:26:12,925 this perfect pocket-handkerchief size
of manicured lawn. 478 00:26:13,005 --> 00:26:14,285 It’s about the only clue 479 00:26:14,725 --> 00:26:18,325 I can see that there is
a building underneath us. 480 00:26:28,685 --> 00:26:32,925 Riparian is nestled
into the Bank of the Patalganga River. 481 00:26:35,085 --> 00:26:39,485 The building is half buried in the earth,
rising out of the landscape. 482 00:26:40,925 --> 00:26:42,805 With its camouflage turf roof, 483 00:26:42,965 --> 00:26:45,245 this house shuns the limelight, 484 00:26:46,245 --> 00:26:49,685 but immerses its occupants
in a rural paradise, 485 00:26:49,845 --> 00:26:53,005 creating
the most tranquil family hideaway. 486 00:26:55,445 --> 00:26:58,085 It’s a terrific bit of land, isn’t it? 487 00:27:00,045 --> 00:27:02,325 This house is a piece of landscape and 488 00:27:02,405 --> 00:27:05,565 what I’m enjoying so far is that the house
is indistinguishable from the landscape. 489 00:27:05,645 --> 00:27:07,325 And I love that about it. 490 00:27:08,325 --> 00:27:10,845 Earth-sheltered houses are rare in India, 491 00:27:10,925 --> 00:27:14,605 but they’re the perfect way to make
a house blend into its surroundings. 492 00:27:15,685 --> 00:27:18,845 The turf roof
makes it invisible from the east 493 00:27:18,925 --> 00:27:20,485 while keeping out the heat 494 00:27:20,565 --> 00:27:24,365 and providing an extra outdoor platform
to admire the view. 495 00:27:25,965 --> 00:27:29,085 And Riparian makes the most
of its riverside location. 496 00:27:29,885 --> 00:27:33,205 A courtyard hewn out of the bedrock
leads to the kitchen, 497 00:27:34,205 --> 00:27:36,125 which is flanked by a guest bedroom, 498 00:27:36,205 --> 00:27:37,565 staff areas, 499 00:27:37,645 --> 00:27:39,605 and a child’s bedroom. 500 00:27:39,685 --> 00:27:40,765 CHILDREN'S BEDROOM 501 00:27:40,925 --> 00:27:43,045 On the front of the house,
facing the river 502 00:27:43,125 --> 00:27:45,325 is the main bedroom and the dining room, 503 00:27:45,765 --> 00:27:49,125 which open out
onto an expansive teak veranda. 504 00:27:49,205 --> 00:27:50,885 TEAK VERANDA 505 00:27:53,965 --> 00:27:57,485 This intriguing entrance into a house 506 00:27:57,605 --> 00:28:00,085 really brings out my inner badger, 507 00:28:00,205 --> 00:28:04,405 because it's like
a sort of route into a badger’s set. 508 00:28:04,645 --> 00:28:08,165 Let me go and find out what
this particular badger’s house is like. 509 00:28:13,005 --> 00:28:15,565 In fact, it’s light and colorful 510 00:28:15,645 --> 00:28:18,445 with a cooling breeze
running all the way through. 511 00:28:19,445 --> 00:28:22,125 You’d never guess
it was part of the riverbank. 512 00:28:25,005 --> 00:28:26,525 This house straddles the line 513 00:28:26,605 --> 00:28:29,485 between being a piece of ground,
a piece of landscape, 514 00:28:29,565 --> 00:28:31,405 something embedded in the earth, 515 00:28:31,605 --> 00:28:34,285 but also, at the same time,
a lightweight building, 516 00:28:34,365 --> 00:28:37,005 almost in the manner
of a tea plantation house 517 00:28:37,085 --> 00:28:39,845 that sits single story above the ground, 518 00:28:39,965 --> 00:28:44,285 with deep rooms shaded
by a veranda and screens. 519 00:28:45,645 --> 00:28:49,405 And refreshingly, for a modern house,
it’s really down to earth. 520 00:28:52,245 --> 00:28:54,565 It’s sweet.
It’s like a little cottage inside, 521 00:28:54,645 --> 00:28:57,125 both in the scale of the space, 522 00:28:57,205 --> 00:29:00,165 but also the familiarity of the stuff. 523 00:29:00,245 --> 00:29:04,405 Usually, in modern architecture,
everything gets reinvented. 524 00:29:04,725 --> 00:29:07,685 But it’s the little touches
that make it gorgeous. 525 00:29:08,045 --> 00:29:09,485 This is the master bedroom. 526 00:29:12,685 --> 00:29:14,925 And look at these fantastic windows. 527 00:29:15,765 --> 00:29:18,965 They’re Crittall windows.
They’re metal, steel windows. 528 00:29:19,045 --> 00:29:21,845 It’s very unusual.
I’ve not seen these before in India. 529 00:29:22,005 --> 00:29:26,205 They’re stunning,
but what I really, really love are these. 530 00:29:27,285 --> 00:29:31,005 These are fly screens, but they’re not
the usual sort of nylon fly screens, 531 00:29:31,085 --> 00:29:33,565 which are pretty grim, actually,
and you see them everywhere. 532 00:29:33,925 --> 00:29:36,525 These are made out of mesh,
metal mesh. 533 00:29:38,005 --> 00:29:39,805 Like a Victorian food cover. 534 00:29:40,525 --> 00:29:42,325 and they keep everything out, 535 00:29:42,405 --> 00:29:44,205 snakes and mosquitoes. 536 00:29:46,405 --> 00:29:49,765 Imagine lying in this huge bed 537 00:29:49,925 --> 00:29:55,325 and being able to look out
over this glorious river here, 538 00:29:55,405 --> 00:29:57,325 watching the cattle coming to drink. 539 00:29:59,445 --> 00:30:01,005 I’m sorry, I can’t resist this. 540 00:30:01,085 --> 00:30:02,485 I know this is really bad, 541 00:30:03,245 --> 00:30:04,685 but I’ve got to do it. 542 00:30:10,605 --> 00:30:11,885 Maharani Quentin. 543 00:30:13,125 --> 00:30:14,045 That’s me. 544 00:30:16,685 --> 00:30:17,765 It’s a lovely view. 545 00:30:20,965 --> 00:30:24,405 There is something incredibly familiar
about this house. 546 00:30:24,485 --> 00:30:27,405 And part of that reason is
that this house, in a way, 547 00:30:27,485 --> 00:30:30,925 is the traditional Indian bungalow
meets earth-sheltered house. 548 00:30:31,045 --> 00:30:33,165 But what’s clever is that, typically, 549 00:30:33,245 --> 00:30:36,925 most earth-sheltered houses are, in a way, 550 00:30:37,005 --> 00:30:39,805 dark and airless, but here, 551 00:30:40,485 --> 00:30:44,645 this architect has hollowed out
these courtyards at the back, 552 00:30:44,725 --> 00:30:46,565 which you can walk out into. 553 00:30:47,205 --> 00:30:50,565 And what happens is
that there’s a clear ventilation path 554 00:30:50,765 --> 00:30:52,885 that runs right through the way the house. 555 00:30:52,965 --> 00:30:55,725 So this is kind of warm air,
you know, rising up here. 556 00:30:56,685 --> 00:30:58,125 The cool air 557 00:30:58,205 --> 00:31:01,285 comes right the way through
and vents the house. 558 00:31:01,605 --> 00:31:03,205 It all seems so effortless, 559 00:31:03,325 --> 00:31:06,485 but I’ve a feeling that creating
this oasis of tranquility 560 00:31:06,565 --> 00:31:08,845 wasn’t quite as simple as it looks. 561 00:31:08,925 --> 00:31:12,085 The architects,
Robert Verrijt and Shefali Balwani, 562 00:31:12,165 --> 00:31:13,885 have agreed to talk me through it. 563 00:31:13,965 --> 00:31:16,365 -Welcome to my lovely house.
-Hi, Caroline. 564 00:31:16,445 --> 00:31:17,405 -Caroline.
-Shefali. 565 00:31:17,485 --> 00:31:19,405 -Lovely to meet you.
-Lovely to meet you too. 566 00:31:19,485 --> 00:31:22,045 -Hi, I’m Robert.
-Hello, Robert. Fantastic to meet you. 567 00:31:22,125 --> 00:31:28,325 The owners presumably chose this spot
because of its access to the river. 568 00:31:28,405 --> 00:31:31,725 Is that important for them,
the access to the countryside? 569 00:31:31,805 --> 00:31:35,085 Yeah, it’s very unusual to have
a house this close to the river. 570 00:31:35,165 --> 00:31:39,605 I think in most parts of India,
you are usually quite far away. 571 00:31:39,685 --> 00:31:44,405 They did want to swim in the river
and kayak, and they do all of that. 572 00:31:44,565 --> 00:31:50,645 It almost feels like it’s been part
of this rural landscape forever. 573 00:31:50,725 --> 00:31:53,245 -Forever, yeah.
-And was that part of your plan? 574 00:31:53,325 --> 00:31:57,805 Well, what’s interesting is
that the house was built 575 00:31:57,885 --> 00:32:00,605 and then very quickly
the landscape took over, 576 00:32:00,685 --> 00:32:02,565 and it was really with that intention 577 00:32:02,645 --> 00:32:05,365 that the landscapes grew over the roof 578 00:32:05,485 --> 00:32:07,005 and trees growing around it. 579 00:32:07,445 --> 00:32:10,245 Structurally, there must have
been challenges? 580 00:32:10,885 --> 00:32:13,725 Yeah, it’s meant to look very simple, 581 00:32:13,805 --> 00:32:18,245 but actually there are various forces
that come on this house. 582 00:32:18,325 --> 00:32:19,645 There’s the earth pressure 583 00:32:19,725 --> 00:32:22,965 from behind the house that tries to move
the building downwards, 584 00:32:23,045 --> 00:32:27,525 and there’s of course the weight
of the roof with this big layer of soil, 585 00:32:27,605 --> 00:32:30,485 and this made the structure quite heavy. 586 00:32:31,005 --> 00:32:33,565 Yeah, I think the construction
took over two years. 587 00:32:33,645 --> 00:32:35,005 It’s very labor intensive, 588 00:32:35,085 --> 00:32:38,125 and I think because of that,
the process took that long. 589 00:32:43,765 --> 00:32:48,005 The architects have created an homage
to the traditional tea plantation house, 590 00:32:48,085 --> 00:32:51,445 reinterpreted for this context
and the 21st century. 591 00:32:51,525 --> 00:32:54,005 And I love that they’ve refused
to build in such a way 592 00:32:54,085 --> 00:32:55,805 that dominates the landscape. 593 00:32:55,885 --> 00:32:58,405 And Riparian acts as a vessel,
in some ways, 594 00:32:58,485 --> 00:33:00,965 where you can experience this landscape. 595 00:33:07,525 --> 00:33:09,445 Salman, do you know where Caroline is? 596 00:33:10,005 --> 00:33:10,965 I don’t know, sir. 597 00:33:14,605 --> 00:33:16,765 It’s just too hard to resist. 598 00:33:18,365 --> 00:33:20,085 You know, sometimes in this life, 599 00:33:20,765 --> 00:33:22,685 you’re taken to see good houses, 600 00:33:23,605 --> 00:33:25,805 and then you’re taken to see great houses. 601 00:33:26,365 --> 00:33:28,365 But this house is like Mary Poppins. 602 00:33:29,125 --> 00:33:31,645 It’s practically perfect in every way. 603 00:33:34,925 --> 00:33:37,405 Reluctantly I’m going to have
to hang up my paddle 604 00:33:37,485 --> 00:33:39,565 and get to our next destination. 605 00:33:42,285 --> 00:33:44,845 We’re leaving behind
this oasis of tranquility 606 00:33:44,925 --> 00:33:46,725 for the craziness of the city. 607 00:33:49,405 --> 00:33:52,285 Mumbai has grown at such a rate
in recent decades 608 00:33:52,365 --> 00:33:55,805 that there are now satellite cities
to cope with the over-spill. 609 00:33:55,885 --> 00:33:59,085 And we’re heading to one called Navi,
or New Mumbai. 610 00:33:59,165 --> 00:34:00,205 NAVI MUMBAI 611 00:34:04,685 --> 00:34:06,885 We’re definitely back in the city now,
Piers. 612 00:34:06,965 --> 00:34:08,085 We certainly are. 613 00:34:10,005 --> 00:34:12,165 If we can just get there in one piece, 614 00:34:12,245 --> 00:34:15,205 we've heard there's house that combines
the latest contemporary design 615 00:34:15,285 --> 00:34:18,925 with a deep reverence
for India's architectural heritage. 616 00:34:19,445 --> 00:34:21,845 So I hope we’re gonna
get up the hill in this thing. 617 00:34:25,245 --> 00:34:26,245 We’re here. 618 00:34:26,325 --> 00:34:28,085 That’s great. Thank you. 619 00:34:32,045 --> 00:34:33,085 I’m in love already. 620 00:34:34,045 --> 00:34:35,685 This appeals to my sense 621 00:34:35,765 --> 00:34:38,485 of the ancient and the new 622 00:34:38,565 --> 00:34:40,365 being together like that. 623 00:34:42,125 --> 00:34:45,605 We’ve arrived at the fabulously eclectic
Collage House. 624 00:34:47,125 --> 00:34:50,645 The exterior is inspired by traditional
Indian house building 625 00:34:50,885 --> 00:34:53,245 with its resourceful use of materials. 626 00:34:53,765 --> 00:34:56,125 But it’s also a kind of memory box 627 00:34:56,205 --> 00:34:58,925 for the disappearing architecture
of the old Mumbai. 628 00:34:59,005 --> 00:35:03,165 From the hand crafted doors and windows
to antique columns... 629 00:35:03,245 --> 00:35:05,445 which have all been salvaged
from demolition 630 00:35:05,525 --> 00:35:08,685 and re-used here
to create something completely new. 631 00:35:14,525 --> 00:35:18,405 -I’m full of anticipation.
-Me too, I’m actually tingling all over. 632 00:35:18,485 --> 00:35:20,765 Genuinely, I have no idea
what’s around the corner, 633 00:35:20,845 --> 00:35:23,485 because already this is a house
that's surprising me. 634 00:35:24,165 --> 00:35:28,125 This is surprising me.
It’s a huge metal gate. It’s enormous! 635 00:35:28,205 --> 00:35:31,405 -Feel like you're in Gulliver’s Travels?
-Yeah, I do. It’s absolutely enormous! 636 00:35:36,085 --> 00:35:36,965 Look! 637 00:35:40,205 --> 00:35:41,285 I’m dumbstruck. 638 00:35:42,885 --> 00:35:45,205 -And that’s not often I hear you say that.
-No. 639 00:35:46,605 --> 00:35:49,365 I mean, so many ideas already. 640 00:35:49,445 --> 00:35:53,365 I mean, the sense of material richness 641 00:35:53,685 --> 00:35:56,245 from all of these things
that are re-purposed. 642 00:35:56,325 --> 00:35:58,645 The pipes, the tiles, 643 00:35:59,485 --> 00:36:00,565 this stone. 644 00:36:00,645 --> 00:36:03,605 This is an amazing tapestry of stuff. 645 00:36:03,725 --> 00:36:05,485 There’s fun everywhere. 646 00:36:05,645 --> 00:36:09,885 Everywhere my eye goes, I see something
I’m immediately fascinated by. 647 00:36:09,965 --> 00:36:14,565 And I-- It's so wonderful
to have this kind of hit of adrenaline 648 00:36:14,645 --> 00:36:16,445 as you arrive into a house. 649 00:36:16,525 --> 00:36:17,525 We’ve only just started. 650 00:36:17,605 --> 00:36:19,525 Exactly. We’ve only been here
a few moments. 651 00:36:21,165 --> 00:36:25,445 The architect’s challenge was to make
a family home for four generations, 652 00:36:25,605 --> 00:36:29,925 with a sense of space and privacy
on a relatively small plot, 653 00:36:30,005 --> 00:36:32,765 sandwiched
between two neighboring buildings. 654 00:36:33,685 --> 00:36:36,605 With no views
across epic landscapes available, 655 00:36:36,725 --> 00:36:40,605 they’ve turned the focus inwards
to a central courtyard on the first floor. 656 00:36:40,805 --> 00:36:41,765 CENTRAL COURTYARD 657 00:36:41,845 --> 00:36:43,885 Wrapped around this are the living area, 658 00:36:43,965 --> 00:36:45,885 master bedroom, and a small pool. 659 00:36:45,965 --> 00:36:47,725 MASTER BEDROOM, SWIMMING POOL 660 00:36:47,805 --> 00:36:50,605 On the floor above are two more bedrooms, 661 00:36:50,685 --> 00:36:52,765 and there’s a glass pavilion on the roof, 662 00:36:52,845 --> 00:36:55,325 supported by 100-year-old antique columns. 663 00:36:55,485 --> 00:36:57,245 GLASS PAVILION WITH ANTIQUE COLUMNS 664 00:36:59,085 --> 00:37:02,245 The many doors and windows on the facade
might look chaotic, 665 00:37:02,325 --> 00:37:05,285 but are actually carefully placed
within a concrete frame 666 00:37:05,365 --> 00:37:08,365 which connects all of the spaces
from front to back, 667 00:37:08,445 --> 00:37:10,045 across all three levels. 668 00:37:15,085 --> 00:37:16,165 I’m Caroline. 669 00:37:16,525 --> 00:37:18,925 The owners, Narayan and Dipti, 670 00:37:19,005 --> 00:37:20,725 are taking me on a tour 671 00:37:20,885 --> 00:37:25,325 to show me how they went about
reclaiming Mumbai’s architectural past. 672 00:37:26,885 --> 00:37:29,605 You know, this house is a blend of modern 673 00:37:29,685 --> 00:37:30,885 as well as old. 674 00:37:31,165 --> 00:37:32,005 Yes. 675 00:37:32,085 --> 00:37:33,645 So if you look at it, 676 00:37:33,725 --> 00:37:36,725 the floor on which you’re walking
is the modern architecture. 677 00:37:36,805 --> 00:37:39,245 -This is the modern, what’s it, granite?
-Yes. 678 00:37:39,605 --> 00:37:40,845 And as we move up, 679 00:37:41,445 --> 00:37:44,205 suddenly you'll find
that now you’re walking in a place 680 00:37:44,685 --> 00:37:47,405 where the wood is more than 125 years old. 681 00:37:47,485 --> 00:37:48,925 I love that. 682 00:37:49,005 --> 00:37:50,565 I will show you another marvel. 683 00:37:50,645 --> 00:37:53,205 -This is the hanging steps.
-Yes. 684 00:37:53,285 --> 00:37:55,365 It took lot of time making these steps. 685 00:37:55,685 --> 00:37:57,605 Yeah, they’re wonderfully made. 686 00:37:57,845 --> 00:38:00,645 When we decided to build this house,
we wanted 687 00:38:00,725 --> 00:38:03,245 everything to be a masterpiece. 688 00:38:03,325 --> 00:38:05,125 So we couldn’t overlook the steps. 689 00:38:05,645 --> 00:38:08,365 So we wanted our steps and railings
also to be a masterpiece. 690 00:38:08,525 --> 00:38:10,405 We told our architect 691 00:38:10,485 --> 00:38:13,485 that I’m not going
to make another house in my life, 692 00:38:13,565 --> 00:38:15,325 so whatever I’m making now 693 00:38:15,405 --> 00:38:16,925 is going to be the last house, 694 00:38:17,005 --> 00:38:18,965 so it has to be a very memorable house. 695 00:38:19,045 --> 00:38:22,405 It’s a home. There’s a difference
between a house and a home. 696 00:38:22,565 --> 00:38:26,845 And it’s so important that a house
isn’t just a house, that it is a home. 697 00:38:26,925 --> 00:38:31,845 And your house is clearly
full of fascinating objects 698 00:38:31,925 --> 00:38:34,045 and design features. 699 00:38:34,125 --> 00:38:37,325 I mean, this is wonderful! 700 00:38:37,405 --> 00:38:40,085 These are actually called printing blocks, 701 00:38:40,165 --> 00:38:43,525 which the artisans use it for printing on, 702 00:38:43,605 --> 00:38:45,885 making printing on saris, on fabric. 703 00:38:45,965 --> 00:38:48,605 They were about 600 pieces
that I picked up 704 00:38:48,685 --> 00:38:50,525 and brought them here. 705 00:38:50,605 --> 00:38:53,285 And then we made this lovely design. 706 00:38:53,845 --> 00:38:55,765 -How amazing.
-With these blocks. 707 00:39:00,245 --> 00:39:02,965 Curiously for such a innovative house, 708 00:39:03,045 --> 00:39:05,925 the language of construction
is fairly familiar. 709 00:39:06,005 --> 00:39:09,125 There’s a steel frame,
there’s concrete slabs, 710 00:39:09,205 --> 00:39:14,765 but within that, there’s
a mind-blowing approach to recycling, 711 00:39:14,845 --> 00:39:18,525 upcycling, salvaging, reclaiming... 712 00:39:22,765 --> 00:39:25,565 Each one of these windows and doors
on this front elevation 713 00:39:25,645 --> 00:39:28,565 has been taken from a reclamation yard. 714 00:39:31,205 --> 00:39:34,845 There’s then a strategy for how
all of these are gonna fit together, 715 00:39:34,925 --> 00:39:38,325 and the whole becomes
an extraordinary patchwork, 716 00:39:38,405 --> 00:39:39,445 a composition 717 00:39:39,645 --> 00:39:42,725 that just makes this house truly original. 718 00:39:44,925 --> 00:39:45,765 Hello. 719 00:39:46,645 --> 00:39:47,645 [doors bang shut] 720 00:39:49,885 --> 00:39:52,565 These recycling solutions
are all over the house, 721 00:39:52,645 --> 00:39:56,725 with reclaimed materials
given imaginative new purposes. 722 00:39:59,965 --> 00:40:01,405 This is a bedhead and a cupboard 723 00:40:01,565 --> 00:40:05,285 made from salvaged
and recycled picture frames. 724 00:40:05,365 --> 00:40:08,045 It’s also, of course, highly decorative, 725 00:40:08,125 --> 00:40:11,725 and decoration has been banished
from architecture by architects 726 00:40:11,805 --> 00:40:13,285 for about 100 years or so. 727 00:40:13,365 --> 00:40:15,885 Architects are kinda fascists
about all that stuff. 728 00:40:16,085 --> 00:40:19,125 There’s this myth
that somehow less is more. 729 00:40:20,205 --> 00:40:22,645 But more is always more. 730 00:40:24,085 --> 00:40:26,525 And there’s more wherever you look. 731 00:40:29,845 --> 00:40:34,405 Pretty much every bathroom
I’ve ever been in, I know what to expect. 732 00:40:34,605 --> 00:40:38,925 But this is like
some brilliantly crazy hall of mirrors 733 00:40:39,005 --> 00:40:41,925 that you might find in a fairground, 734 00:40:42,165 --> 00:40:43,845 but it’s also really sensible. 735 00:40:43,925 --> 00:40:47,685 It isn’t just whimsy.
These are all salvaged mirrors, 736 00:40:48,125 --> 00:40:51,725 reused here, set out beautifully, 737 00:40:51,805 --> 00:40:55,245 but then the water pipe that comes down is 738 00:40:55,325 --> 00:40:58,045 painted pink and then it’s a light, 739 00:40:58,845 --> 00:41:00,405 becomes a towel rail, 740 00:41:00,485 --> 00:41:01,805 becomes a loo-roll holder. 741 00:41:01,965 --> 00:41:05,645 It’s so witty, so engaging,
and so purposeful. 742 00:41:10,805 --> 00:41:14,205 Bringing such anarchic fun
to the design of Collage House 743 00:41:14,285 --> 00:41:17,565 were project architects
Shilpa and Pinkish Shah. 744 00:41:18,485 --> 00:41:22,725 How did you begin to know
how to piece together... 745 00:41:23,805 --> 00:41:25,805 a hundred thousand different components? 746 00:41:26,245 --> 00:41:30,125 It had become a little bit like jazz
where you kind of improvise a little bit. 747 00:41:30,205 --> 00:41:32,165 There’s a kind of loose structure, 748 00:41:32,245 --> 00:41:34,805 but you’re playing around
and riffing in the middle. 749 00:41:34,885 --> 00:41:38,005 And it’s been a joyful journey
because of that, that you allow, 750 00:41:38,085 --> 00:41:40,805 let it take over a life of its own, 751 00:41:40,885 --> 00:41:44,085 but you are there to kind of pull it,
tweak it, you know? 752 00:41:44,165 --> 00:41:45,605 And put it in place. 753 00:41:45,685 --> 00:41:47,885 I mean it started with the windows,
for sure. 754 00:41:47,965 --> 00:41:50,365 And once that got into motion,
and other things, 755 00:41:50,445 --> 00:41:52,965 like now we know,
flows that are gonna be downtake pipes. 756 00:41:53,045 --> 00:41:54,845 And monsoons in Mumbai are gorgeous; 757 00:41:54,925 --> 00:41:59,405 I mean, it’s such heavy rain that
the downtake pipes are just gushing water. 758 00:41:59,485 --> 00:42:02,205 So then we said,
"Why not make it into a feature?" 759 00:42:02,285 --> 00:42:04,805 So that’s how if you see the pipes,
they come kind of down, 760 00:42:04,885 --> 00:42:08,445 and they allow the water to be seen
during-- it’s an event, you know? 761 00:42:08,525 --> 00:42:10,645 It's about finding,
capturing these moments 762 00:42:10,725 --> 00:42:11,885 about seasonal change 763 00:42:11,965 --> 00:42:15,245 and the acts of everyday life being made 764 00:42:15,325 --> 00:42:18,805 kind of dignified and joyous
in some sense, you know? 765 00:42:18,885 --> 00:42:21,725 And Mumbai is also gradually disappearing,
unfortunately. 766 00:42:21,805 --> 00:42:24,285 It’s being sanitized;
lots of buildings are coming down. 767 00:42:24,405 --> 00:42:27,565 So here’s an opportunity
to salvage a part of that memory 768 00:42:27,645 --> 00:42:28,725 and make it yours. 769 00:42:29,245 --> 00:42:33,525 And is there a wider applicability
of this approach 770 00:42:33,605 --> 00:42:38,445 in other buildings for other architects,
for other people, for other clients? 771 00:42:38,565 --> 00:42:42,485 I think the amount of waste
that we as a society 772 00:42:42,565 --> 00:42:45,605 are kind of producing is crazy, 773 00:42:45,685 --> 00:42:47,445 and I think, if anything, 774 00:42:47,645 --> 00:42:49,645 maybe this is like a wake-up call 775 00:42:49,725 --> 00:42:54,645 for all of us to just remind ourselves
again of, you know, 776 00:42:54,725 --> 00:42:59,125 where we can really use our resources
more carefully 777 00:42:59,205 --> 00:43:01,645 so that we don’t produce as much waste. 778 00:43:09,605 --> 00:43:13,445 I’ve been an architect for 20 years,
something like that, 779 00:43:13,565 --> 00:43:16,365 and very few buildings
really challenge us. 780 00:43:16,805 --> 00:43:18,365 But I think this building does, 781 00:43:18,445 --> 00:43:21,405 because it does so many things
at the same time. 782 00:43:22,125 --> 00:43:24,685 It’s witty and serious. 783 00:43:24,845 --> 00:43:28,205 It’s playful and stern. 784 00:43:28,565 --> 00:43:30,765 It’s controlled and loose. 785 00:43:30,925 --> 00:43:34,965 And all those other opposing things
that you never thought could sit together. 786 00:43:35,045 --> 00:43:36,485 And I think, 787 00:43:37,485 --> 00:43:39,125 you know, as you look forward, 788 00:43:39,605 --> 00:43:41,285 you sort of wonder, 789 00:43:41,765 --> 00:43:45,125 "Where is the road map for the future?" 790 00:43:45,925 --> 00:43:46,925 But for me... 791 00:43:48,685 --> 00:43:49,685 I think it’s here. 792 00:44:08,005 --> 00:44:09,925 Talk about being cranked up to eleven. 793 00:44:10,045 --> 00:44:11,525 I don’t think I'd ever imagined 794 00:44:11,605 --> 00:44:14,965 anywhere being as viscerally stimulating
as India. 795 00:44:15,765 --> 00:44:19,645 It’s true. It’s sometimes overwhelming
for all the senses, isn’t it? 796 00:44:20,085 --> 00:44:24,005 The colors, the sights, the sounds,
the smells, the people. 797 00:44:24,485 --> 00:44:27,685 But what’s been a real excitement for me 798 00:44:27,765 --> 00:44:31,325 is the fact that the houses
have lived up to all that. 799 00:44:31,445 --> 00:44:34,845 They've been so clever and so different
and so original and so witty. 800 00:44:34,925 --> 00:44:37,405 In a way, I think they've shown me 801 00:44:37,485 --> 00:44:39,565 I just need to raise my own game. 802 00:44:39,645 --> 00:44:41,725 They've challenged me like nothing. 803 00:44:44,885 --> 00:44:46,885 Subtitle translation by Metia Bethell