SMALL VILLA AWARD

Rooted in Culture: Winning with our Modern Lepcha Abode

If winning for our hospitality project was a dream, taking home the ABID Award for Residential Design Redefined for our very first residential project feels like a powerful affirmation of our design ethos. Standing on that stage to receive the accolade for "Lepcha Abode" in Penlong, Sikkim, was a moment of immense pride and joy.

This project wasn't just about building a house; it was about revisiting roots. To be recognized for a "Modern Interpretation of a Traditional Lepcha Tribal Home" is deeply satisfying. Our goal was to create a sanctuary that is harmonious with nature—a core philosophy of the indigenous Lepcha tribes—and seeing the jury appreciate this cultural connection is the ultimate validation.

The site itself was our biggest inspiration. Located in Penlong, close to a stream and facing an evergreen forest, we designed the home to engage with the elements—from the sound of birds to the shifting mountain weather. A massive old tree on the site was retained, becoming the "living art piece" that the entire home frames and celebrates.

We poured our hearts into interpreting traditional wisdom for modern living. We studied ancestral Lepcha homes to incorporate features like raised platforms on stone columns and solid wooden log staircases, adapting them to improve the quality of mountain life. The interiors are a tribute to local craftsmanship, featuring a "tunneling bamboo paneled staircase" and double-volume spaces adorned with subtle Lepcha tribal patterns derived from traditional Thokro-Dum wear.

From the cozy mezzanine levels to the basements transformed into multifunctional garden spaces, every corner of this 3,000 sqft villa tells a story of identity and nature.

This win belongs to the rich heritage of Sikkim and our amazing team who worked with local materials like Dhupi pinewood and bamboo to bring this vision to life. Here’s to designing spaces that honor the past while embracing the future!