The essence of this home is to ‘Re-Live’—a space that marks the transition into a new chapter of life, filled with reflection and nostalgia.
Project Name : Dharohar Residence
Project Location : Palampur, India
Architect/Interior Designer : Sanshraya Design Studio
Principal Architect/Designer : Kriti Dhingra
Photographer: Samir Pathak
Text description by the Archtiects;
Reflecting its name, Dharohar Residence is a heartfelt homecoming for a couple who, after nearly three decades of living and working across South Asia and Africa, chose to return to their roots and build a life of reflection and renewal in their homeland.
Perched on a ridgeline, within an urban setting in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, this home offers breathtaking views of the Dhauladhar range, seamlessly framed by its indoor spaces. To the east, a dense forest welcomes the rising sun that beautifully illuminates the house.
The brief was simple yet profound: to create a mud home that reflects the traditional architecture of the Kangra region while embracing the conveniences of modern life. At the heart of this vision was Earth, both a literal and symbolic foundation. Malleable, regenerative, and deeply connected to place, earth became the primary building material, shaped into adobe bricks and paired with reclaimed slate from old homes. This use of local, recycled materials not only pays homage to regional vernacular traditions but also embraces the ethos of a circular economy.
Mud, Bamboo, Stone and Wood, the key natural materials used for construction, were sourced from the vicinity of the project site. Adobe bricks were moulded and sun-dried for different applications. The procurement, storage and usage of these materials were done methodically, keeping in mind the natural cycles of the seasons. A ferrocement layer followed, topped with a mud phuska layer and locally available slate roof, creating a thermally efficient and structurally sound bamboo-reinforced slab system. This innovative technique modernises vernacular construction methods to enhance thermal insulation and overall resilience.
Adapting to the topography, the residence is designed on two levels. The lower level contains a two-bedroom rental unit, while the upper level serves as the primary residence. Both levels are anchored by a striking four-foot-wide stone retaining wall—a defining structural and aesthetic element. This wall not only improves the thermal performance of the indoor spaces during winters but also integrates beautifully with the landscape, creating continuity between architecture and terrain. Native perennial plants further soften the transition between built form and natural surroundings.
Designed as a sanctuary where each day brings a fresh encounter with nature, the home is infused with warmth and light. Skylights in the common areas cast shifting patterns throughout the day, offering subtle moments of joy and discovery. A standout feature is the hand-sculpted mud mural along the staircase wall, inspired by the Palash tree, also known as the Flame of the Forest. Its rust-red hue comes not from artificial pigments but from naturally occurring soil found near Palampur.
The couple’s lifelong journey is reflected in the home’s interior, which houses carefully curated artefacts collected during their travels, along with treasured ancestral pieces. These objects are woven seamlessly into the design, enriching the space with memory, emotion, and cultural continuity.
Dharohar Residence is more than a structure, it is a soulful expression of belonging. It stands as a reminder that home is not only where the heart is, but where the earth remembers, heals, and welcomes us back.
Project Name : Dharohar Residence
Project Location : Palampur, India
Architect/Interior Designer : Sanshraya Design Studio
Principal Architect/Designer : Kriti Dhingra
Photographer: Samir Pathak
