Rather than placing nature around the house, Ekya allows the landscape to shape the way the home is experienced.
Project Name: Ekya
Studio Name: The Pinewood Studio
Location: Hyderabad, India
Site Area: 1.2 acres
Photography: Vivek Eadara
Located in Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills, the 12,000 sq. ft. residence unfolds through a series of gardens, courtyards, terraces, and native rock formations that dissolve the boundary between architecture and its surroundings. Mature trees, birdsong, and the site’s striking granite outcrops create a sense of retreat, making the home feel worlds away from the city’s pace. It’s a landscape that continues to evolve with the seasons, becoming richer over time.
For Meghna Dulani and Shashwat Gehenwar of The Pinewood Studio, the design began with a simple principle: preserve what already exists. The dramatic rock face at the rear of the site was retained as a defining feature, while a palette of native plants was introduced to strengthen the landscape’s connection to its local ecology. Beyond enhancing biodiversity, this approach also allows the garden to thrive with minimal maintenance.
Every outdoor space has been designed around the rhythms of daily life, giving each one a distinct purpose. At the heart of the home is a central courtyard, anchored by two mature Bauhinia trees. Throughout the year, their pink blossoms scatter across the limestone flooring, while their shifting shade and gentle fragrance transform the atmosphere as the day unfolds. A three-storey mesh structure wrapped in climbing plants frames the outdoor seating and bar, reinforcing the courtyard as the home’s social core. Continuous soil beds allow the planting to grow freely, creating a landscape that feels seamless and connected.
On the second floor, beside the master study, the mood shifts to something quieter and more contemplative. A dense tropical garden featuring Calathea lutea, Traveller’s Palm, pomegranate, and Indian gooseberry trees creates a secluded green retreat. With limited access, it’s designed more for quiet observation than everyday use. A cherished statue of Lord Ganesha, kept by the homeowner since her wedding, lends the space a deeply personal and timeless character.
The upper terrace, originally intended as a service area, has been reimagined as a lush rooftop garden overlooking the property. Finished with sandstone and timber, the space is supported by an efficient irrigation system that helps the planting flourish. More than just an elevated garden, it softens urban noise, provides an informal setting for conversations, and extends the home’s connection with nature to its highest level.
This design philosophy continues at the entrance and throughout the site’s peripheral spaces. Functional service areas are discreetly screened behind water features and layered planting that become part of the dining room’s view. A porous stone driveway encourages greenery to emerge through its surface, while a mature rubber tree at the entrance stands as a meaningful reminder of the homeowners’ memories and connection to the site.
At Ekya, the landscape is far more than a collection of green pockets; it’s the thread that ties the entire home together. By preserving the site’s natural character and allowing native planting to mature organically, the project gently blurs the line between the built environment and the wilderness. As the gardens continue to grow, they frame new views, attract local wildlife, and enrich everyday life, making nature not just a backdrop, but an integral part of living.
