Home of the ghats

Kayzad Shroff and Maria Isabel Jimenez Leon of Shroffleón present an evocative home, nestled in nature, that exudes equal parts minimalism and luxury

- KAMAKSHEE TEWARI

The creative duo has designed the farmhouse such that it appears to float over the uneven parcel of land

Just over an hour outside Mumbai city is the Mirador farmhouse. It lies in the lap of true luxury i.e. with complete accessibility to nature. Among its other unique features is its monolithic structure, which seems to float, almost precariously, about four feet above the uneven ground. The creative couple at the helm of its design, Kayzad Shroff and Maria Isabel Jimenez Leon of Shroffleón, have ensured that this two-bedroom residence blends in with the surroundings as well as transpires into an enduring and empowering fabrication amid the dense foliage.

Kayzad shares an anecdote on how the home came into being: “The homeowner had been using this property only as a farm for three years. He wanted us to design and build a space that his wife could no longer refuse to visit. Our first conversation was simply about building a pavilion that would provide shade to sit under.” This initial idea grew into a one-bedroom home, and finally a two-bedroom property with the imminent addition of an infinity pool. “The one detail that didn’t change was that the homeowner wanted the structure to be one with nature, preferably without any walls blocking the view,” says Kayzad, who went on to design glass walls. Indeed, the only real walls in this home conceal the bathrooms.