Home tour: a tropical modernist residence in Hyderabad frames sweeping lake views

Designed by Hyderabad-based architecture practice 23 Degrees Design Shift (23DDS) for a family of six, the weekend residence occupies a privileged 1.2-acre site overlooking Osman Sagar, enjoying uninterrupted views across the water towards the city’s evolving skyline while remaining nestled within predominantly private land.

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“Designing along the edge of Osman Sagar presented a rare opportunity to create architecture that respects the ecological context while enabling layered social experiences,” say Srikanth Reddy and Neelesh Kumar, principal architects of 23DDS.

“It was less about building a house and more about orchestrating a relationship between land, water, and human habitation that is in constant dialogue with the water, horizon, land and light.”

The initial discussions between 23DDS and the homeowners revolved around creating a retreat that felt expansive yet intimate—a home that could comfortably accommodate six family members yet effortlessly transform into a venue for celebrations of up to 500 guests.

“The brief was ambitious yet sensitive, embracing both intimacy and conviviality—all without overwhelming the natural setting,” recall Reddy and Kumar.

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As such, Osman Sagar itself became the principal source of inspiration. Its stillness, changing light and broad horizon informed not only the home’s orientation but also its spatial planning and material palette.

“The intention was to create an atmosphere of tranquil grandeur—achieved through layered thresholds, framed vistas, shaded verandahs, reflective water surfaces, and a restrained material palette that allows the landscape to remain the protagonist,” they add.

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Upon entering the compound, high perimeter walls create a sense of anticipation, guiding visitors towards a parking court before arriving at an entry plaza.

Respecting the ecological sensitivity of the site, the architects intentionally restricted the built footprint to approximately 10,500 sq ft. Directional walls and pathways then deliberately conceal and reveal the residence in stages, offering fleeting glimpses of the lake before opening onto panoramic views from the expansive verandah.

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Defined less by verticality than by its horizontal composition, the house unfolds as a collection of interconnected pavilions, each organised beneath a pair of right-angled pitched roofs laid out on a disciplined 20-by-20-foot grid and oriented to capture uninterrupted views of Osman Sagar.

Interwoven with courtyards, open-air bathing spaces and reflective water bodies, the two-storey main residence anchors the interconnected volumes, comprising a living hall, kitchen and four bedrooms.

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A detached bedroom pavilion with an outdoor bar functions as a private retreat within the retreat, while amenities including a home theatre, spa, gym and swimming pools are integrated discreetly into the lush landscape to maximise privacy and tranquillity.

Binding these individual volumes together is an elevated plinth that rises two feet above ground level.

Constructed from Khammam brown stone, it extends to six feet along the site’s natural slope and incorporates swimming pools and water features, visually stitching together the dispersed buildings while promoting passive cooling through natural ventilation—all while “creating the illusion of the house hovering lightly above the ground,” the architects say.

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Furthermore, earth mounds reconnect the cantilevered structure with the ground, while an eight-foot projecting slab forms generous verandahs that shield the interiors from both monsoon rain and the harsh tropical sun.

“The verandah overlooking the lake is equally significant—particularly at sunrise, when light reflects off the water and moves across the Kota floors and wooden ceilings,” they elaborate.

Beyond its extensive amenities, the landscape plays an equally important role, allowing the homeowners to host large outdoor parties and family weddings. Designed by Studio Gaea, the grounds preserve uninterrupted lake views while showcasing an array of native planting.

Flowering species such as Indian coral tree, lagerstroemia speciosa, cassia fistula and neem establish a layered foreground that softens the transition towards the water while providing seasonal colour and shade.

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Coconut palms introduce vertical rhythm along the lake edge, thriving within the humid microclimate, whereas Wadelia stabilises the site’s mounded terrain through its extensive root system, protecting against erosion during heavy monsoon rains.

Around the secluded spa pavilion, lush tropical planting forms a pleasure garden. Winding green pathways invite slower exploration, while garden artefacts and planters sourced from Bali reinforce the sense of discovery throughout the grounds.

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“One of the most evocative moments during the project was watching the temple tree in the central courtyard establish itself as the emotional core of the house,” Reddy and Kumar explain.

“As the built forms seemed to settle around it, it became clear that the tree was not an inserted landscape element, but a living sculpture anchoring the spatial composition—shifting with the seasons, casting dynamic shadows, and grounding the architecture in time.”

Inside, House by the Lake adopts a restrained palette that allows the surrounding landscape to become the home’s primary visual focus.

Crisp white walls, warm timber ceilings and natural stone surfaces create a calm backdrop, while carefully curated artworks introduce subtle points of visual interest.

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Guided by biophilic design principles, water bodies, courtyards, semi-open spaces and open-air baths maintain a constant connection with nature.

Leaf-imprinted natural stone flooring lines the entrance, while the spa pavilion features natural stone murals that evoke tropical landscapes.

Warm timber ceilings soften the crisp geometry of the white interiors, while geometric flooring—inspired by the traditional Athangudi tile-making process—introduces measured bursts of colour using natural dyes.

Additionally, diamond-polished Kota stone lends refinement to the interior floors, while leathered Kota provides greater texture to external surfaces.

“Rather than imposing a stylistic signature, we focused on refining [the homeowners’] aspirations through spatial choreography and integrating water as both an aesthetic and climatic device,” the architects conclude. “The collaboration evolved organically, grounded in mutual trust and a shared respect for the site.”

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