Tea planters' residence

A modern day bungalow for bachelor tea planters, in the world's most productive Assam tea garden. Set on the upper bank of the mighty Brahmaputra River in Lower Assam, the estate is a garden of calm set within a region plagued by constant insurgency. The new bungalow promises to be a private realm of calm within this tough and sometimes unforgiving landscape. To keep costs to a minimum, local materials including rounded Himalayan river boulders, locally crafted bamboo matting and exposed brick work are used to create a modern, minimalist interpretation of the traditional tea garden bungalow. The living quarters are punctuated by numerous light wells and courtyards that provide the inhabitants with light and ventilation and framed views of the surrounding landscape. A central courtyard pierces through the house making it the former seem smaller and visually lighter than it actually is. This central courtyard features an entrance canopy topped by an oculus that creates changing light patterns on the stone walls as the day progresses. The courtyard is densely planted with some of Assam's most beautiful, indigenous plants, many of them being edible.