Slow Living, Smart Design: India’s Architects Embrace Intentional Living In Design

The distinction between ‘smart’ and ‘dumb’ homes has, in many ways, become a false binary. What matters today is not how automated or analogue a home is but how intentional its design feels. Homes that balance innovation with simplicity, and tradition with modernity, are the new benchmark for meaningful living. As architectural sensibilities evolve to respond to both ecological concerns and a craving for groundedness, a wave of ingeniously crafted hybrid homes has emerged across India. 

From the viridescent hills of Wayanad to the mythic landscapes of Hampi and the serene alleyways of Ernakulam, three Edenic abodes across the subcontinent—Estate Paathiri, Shama Pawar’s Hampi retreat, and the EPJ Residence—are manifesting this shift. These homes are neither trapped in nostalgia nor obsessed with superfluous excess; instead, they invite a fusion of nature, culture and human ingenuity. In their fluid layouts, wholesome courtyards and crafted proportions lies a deeper message: that architecture, when approached with care, becomes a vessel for living well.

Estate Paathiri, Kerala — Merging Tradition And Innovation In A Forest Retreat

Amid the mist-laden slopes of Wayanad, Estate Paathiri stands as a quiet rebellion against the onslaught of gentrification. Designed by George E. Ramapuram, principal architect at Earthitects, this 9,500 sq. ft. mountain villa embodies the spirit of reverse urbanisation—moving away from chaos to rediscover harmony with the land. “As human beings, we aren’t meant to survive amidst concrete jungles,” Ramapuram asserts.

His approach is deeply rooted in the collective consciousness of Kerala, but he is unafraid to question its contemporaneity. Estate Paathiri reclaims this truth by using locally sourced materials—random rubble masonry, plantation teak flooring and cobblestone pathways—that embed the home in its context. Every space feels intentional, and every material is chosen to create a dialogue with its surroundings.

Also read: Explore Nature-Centered Design Secrets With This Stunning Puducherry Home

Yet, Ramapuram refuses to romanticise vernacular architecture for its own sake. The iconic Mangalore tile roof, while charming, proved impractical in its raw form. “The tiles I picked are highly prone to damage from falling branches,” he explains. “Also, it’s easy for rats to crawl in through the gaps.” By adding a concealed concrete slab beneath the tiles, Ramapuram retains the aesthetic while enhancing durability. 

Inside, Estate Paathiri dissolves boundaries between the built and the natural. In the master bedroom, an in-situ rock formation rises through the floor, becoming part of the room’s architecture. Wooden furniture—moulded with organic, asymmetrical lines—and lush houseplants bring a tactile warmth to the interiors.

“So at Earthitects, we believe that not blindly aping the West is imperative for staying true to our roots,” Ramapuram concurs. 

“Figuring out the issues with our established way of doing things in conjunction with contemporary practices is how we truly move forward as a civilisation.” Estate Paathiri is both a retreat and a manifesto, challenging us to build with respect and purpose.

Shama Pawar’s Home, Hampi — A Sanctuary For Slow, Purposeful Living

In the timeless terrain of Hampi, where boulders stand like ancient sentinels, Shama Pawar’s riverside retreat is a love letter to a pensive, mindful existence. Her decades-long connection to the land shapes every decision, resulting in a home that feels inseparable from its surroundings. An artist, conservationist and social impact leader, Pawar found her muse in the mythical forest of Kishkinda. 

Her four-bedroom home, echoing the architectural soul of traditional village dwellings in southern India, is anchored by a central courtyard open to the sky, where life unfolds serendipitously. Built with rough stone and softened over the years with layers of whitewash, the home exudes an honesty that is both rustic and elegant. 

Large windows frame views of bountiful gardens, allowing nature to reclaim its role as both muse and perpetrator in daily life. Wooden and rattan furniture, handmade by local artisans, underscores Pawar’s commitment to sustainable craftsmanship. This home is a paean to the beauty that is often found in simplicity, and a more deliberate pace allowing us to inhabit our spaces—and ourselves—more fully.

Also Read: This Neo-Traditional Bengaluru Apartment Champions Indian Craftsmanship

Pawar’s scepticism about unnecessary mechanization is palpable. “A friend of mine had a smart home where everything was machine-driven,” she recounts with a smile. “One morning, someone outside cheerfully said ‘Good morning,’ and the system took it as a cue to open everything up.” She chuckles at the absurdity, adding, “It makes me wonder if we might be better off handling things ourselves, instead of letting automation take over.” She laughs, but her point is clear: technology, when overdone, becomes intrusive.

“True sophistication doesn’t come from overdevelopment—it comes from balance and intention.”

The EPJ Residence: Crafting A Dialogue Between Nature And Proportion

In Kerala’s Ernakulam district, the EPJ Residence reimagines intentional living through a language of proportion, craft and spatial cohesion. Designed by Roy Antony, principal architect at Roy Antony Architects, the home dispels the notion of ‘smart’ living in favour of thoughtful design choices that prioritise the human experience. “I don’t focus on design itself; I focus on proportions,” Antony illuminates us. “I want to see the volumetric space at different levels.”

This philosophy reveals itself in soaring ceilings, tall wooden doors and the careful interplay of light and shadow. At the centre of the home lies a reflective pool, a still body of water surrounded by greenery. “When it overflows, it creates subtle, natural sounds,” Antony notes, a detail that speaks to his sensitivity to the sensory aspects of space.

Also Read: Three Contemporary Mumbai Homes That Champion A Neutral Colour Palette

Materiality submerges the EPJ Residence firmly in its context. Exposed brick masonry, Kerala teak and neutral tiles from Bharat Floorings evoke timeless elegance, while timber flooring in the bedrooms highlights a commitment to in-situ workmanship. Strategic window placements allow sunlight to permeate every corner, reducing the need for artificial lighting. Overhangs, meanwhile, facilitate plentiful ventilation and shield interiors from Kerala’s tropical heat.

The EPJ Residence rises to this challenge, creating spaces that are both humble and forward-looking.

“Nowadays, we look at slow living as aspirational,” Anthony observes. “But in fact, it was part of our lifestyle before. It’s not about trying to recreate the past, but about taking what works and blending it with what we need today.”

The Age Of Intentions: Building Homes With Purpose

These homes—Estate Paathiri’s groundbreaking innovation, Shama Pawar’s soulful retreat, and the EPJ Residence’s crafted proportions—are not mere structures. They are stories of intention, of architects and homeowners choosing to build with care and consciousness. In an age where technology promises convenience, these projects remind us that the heart of a home lies in its ability to foster connection—to nature, to tradition, and each other. The hybrid homes of India are neither anti-modern nor nostalgic. They are intentional spaces that balance progress with presence.

By embracing the wisdom of vernacular design, honouring heritage craft legacy and questioning excess, these homes show us that the future of architecture lies not in being ‘smart’ or ‘dumb’ but in being thoughtful. Here, amidst walls of stone, courtyards of light and pools of still water, life unfurls slowly, beautifully, and with purpose.