Project by
Sujit Nair & Aruna Sujit
SDeG
Founded in 2007, SDeG (Sujit Nair Design Group) embraces experimental, adaptive architecture that responds to evolving urban, cultural, and socio-economic contexts. The studio explores diverse technologies, techniques, and strategies to create dynamic, flexible spaces, rejecting rigid norms and celebrating fluidity, innovation, and responsiveness across projects of varying scales and typologies.
Villa Shakthi, set on a 2,500 sqm plot, is an elegant contemporary residence shaped around a central pool-court, which acts as the heart of the home. This courtyard anchors the spatial arrangement, with rooms and circulation seamlessly orienting towards it, creating a fluid dialogue between indoor and outdoor spaces. The design strategically leverages the tropical context, where the pool-court not only forms a visual and social nucleus but also aids in cooling the interiors naturally, providing relief from the region’s persistent humidity throughout the year.
Conceived for a family of four returning to India after years abroad, Villa Shakthi balances contemporary architectural language with tailored functionality. The residence distinctly separates private, family, and social spaces, ensuring each area responds to specific lifestyle needs while maintaining an overall sense of cohesion. The western end of the villa houses the master suites, offering direct views and access to the pool-court as well as a secluded garden, combining openness with privacy. Secondary bedrooms and family spaces engage with the central courtyard, fostering connectivity and shared moments, while still preserving personal retreat areas.
The material palette enhances both aesthetics and climate responsiveness. Warm wood flooring in bedrooms, lime plastered walls, and natural stone surfaces create a tactile richness, while providing thermal comfort and a grounding sense of natural elegance. Large openings and carefully positioned glazing maximize natural ventilation and daylight, establishing a connection with the surrounding landscape. Covered walkways and shaded verandahs reinforce the relationship between built form and environment, allowing the family to enjoy outdoor living in comfort.
Further enriching the design is the thoughtful incorporation of landscape elements, including native vegetation and shaded garden pockets, which extend the living experience into the outdoors. Subtle water features around the pool-court enhance sensory engagement while cooling the microclimate. Furniture and finishes are selected to complement the architectural language, maintaining a cohesive aesthetic while supporting functional living.
Every design decision—spatial planning, materials, landscaping, and detailing—reflects a commitment to balancing contemporary style with contextual sensitivity. The central pool-court not only defines circulation and social interaction but also acts as a climatic mediator, making Villa Shakthi a comfortable, sustainable, and visually cohesive home.
