In the scenic hill town of Kotagiri, architect Krishnan Varma has transformed the remnants of a colonial-era ruin into a charming modern home named Shilaya. This unique approach reuses the rubble and stones of the original stone cottage as the foundation and walls of the new residence, blending history with eco-friendly design.
- Shilaya reuses stone from a colonial ruin for foundation and walls
- Prefabricated steel components reduce ecological impact
- Thick stone walls provide natural thermal mass for winter warmth
What happened
The architecture firm Meister Varma completed a new house called Shilaya in Kotagiri, a hill town located in India’s Nilgiri Mountains. Instead of clearing away the remnants of a collapsed colonial-era stone cottage on the site, architect Krishnan Varma used the existing rubble as the structural base for the new home. This approach honored the heritage of the original building and aligned with strict ecological protections that prevent quarrying or new material sourcing locally.
Shilaya features thick stone walls at its base, salvaged directly from the ruins, while the rest of the house—including the roof, upper floor, and internal partitions—was constructed using prefabricated steel components shipped and assembled onsite. The design includes three volumes with living, bathroom, and bedroom areas connected by skylit corridors and a graceful spiral staircase, all arranged to maximize natural light and comfort in Kotagiri’s cool hill climate.
Why it feels good
The use of reclaimed stone not only preserves a physical connection to the site’s colonial past but also embraces sustainability in one of India’s ecologically sensitive mountain regions. By avoiding new quarrying, the project reduces environmental disturbance, while the stone’s thermal mass helps maintain stable indoor temperatures, easing reliance on active heating during chilly seasons.
Shilaya’s design combines traditional heavy masonry techniques with modern prefabricated elements, offering a thoughtful balance between old and new. The thick stone walls act as natural heat absorbers that release warmth slowly, providing cozy comfort without extensive mechanical systems. This kind of low-impact, climate-responsive architecture echoes growing global trends that favor materials and methods that support both heritage and environmental care.
What to enjoy or watch next
Visitors and admirers of Shilaya can appreciate the home’s blend of historical masonry and contemporary steel construction, along with its thoughtful layout that maximizes daylight and connects indoor spaces to surrounding gardens. The future garden is planned to host additional cottages and staff quarters, continuing the vision of a thoughtfully integrated, minimal-impact settlement nestled in the Nilgiri hills.
Architecture enthusiasts may also want to explore other innovative projects like Sydney’s 19 Waterloo Street, which similarly reclaims local materials on a smaller scale. Following trends towards adaptive reuse and environmental sensitivity in design can inspire new ways to build that respect history while embracing sustainability, particularly in protected or ecologically delicate areas.