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Architecture

30-09-2025

Photographer : Shamant Patil Photography

Set atop a dramatic, sloping terrain, the residence for a medical couple commands expansive vistas of the rolling hills surrounding rural Belgaum. A lush bamboo plantation to the north forms a natural boundary, enclosing a serene water body that serves as a sanctuary for migratory birds.

The land’s westward-facing slope has been carefully filled with earth to elevate the home above the bamboo grove, ensuring a clear line of sight to the tranquil pond below. This excavated portion of the site serves as the stilt level, housing parking and staff quarters. The home is centrally positioned, flanked by two distinct landscaped zones. One extends from the living room, offering a panoramic view of the pond and distant hills, while the other, accessible from the dining area, opens onto a secluded deck surrounded by a lush tropical garden.

Despite its substantial mass, the residence seems to float lightly atop the intricately sculpted land. Constructed from terracotta and fiber-cement planks with a wooden finish, the material palette was chosen to complement the surrounding landscape without overwhelming it. A striking stone-paved walkway, interspersed with tropical planting, leads visitors upwards toward the main entrance. Vertical metal extrusions, serving as screens or pergolas, add a sense of slenderness to the façade, while deep roof overhangs sculpt the volume of the house, defining key areas and orienting them towards the best views.

Belgaum,Karnataka,India

Architects	:	Jalihal Associates
Area	:	7000 sq. ft.
Year of Completion	:	2025
Website	:	https://www.instagram.com/juned_jalihal/

Exterior view of Sunset Citadel by Jalihal Associates

External staircase of Sunset Citadel by Jalihal Associates

Living room of Sunset Citadel by Jalihal Associates

Belgaum’s consistently mild climate informed the design, ensuring that the prevailing westward winds could pass through the house, promoting natural ventilation across the common areas. The spatial layout reflects the needs of the four occupants, emphasizing visual connectivity across the home’s three levels. At the heart of this spatial composition, a sculptural, partially cantilevered staircase acts as a central spine, linking the dining area on the ground floor to the study on the second level and the gym on the third. A dramatic courtyard, featuring a double-height space with a rubble-stone Shahabad floor, is illuminated by a narrow skylight that casts a streak of daylight across its blank wall.

The L-shaped dining area, with its soaring double-height ceiling, is dominated by a floating “ornament of light”—a 50-foot Mobius loop that winds through the space. Designed in collaboration with lighting designer Hari Kara of Bhilight, this light fixture was 3D-printed in modular plant-based PLA (Polylactic Acid) filament, creating a stunning visual centerpiece that changes depending on one’s perspective.

Living room of Sunset Citadel by Jalihal Associates

Dining to Courtyard view of Sunset Citadel by Jalihal Associates

Dining of Sunset Citadel by Jalihal Associates

View from Kitchen of Sunset Citadel by Jalihal Associates

Hand wash area of Sunset Citadel by Jalihal Associates

Staircase of Sunset Citadel by Jalihal Associates

Chandelier of Sunset Citadel by Jalihal Associates

Upper living of Sunset Citadel by Jalihal Associates

First Floor Passage of Sunset Citadel by Jalihal Associates

Reading nook of Sunset Citadel by Jalihal Associates

Master Bedroom of Sunset Citadel by Jalihal Associates

The residence offers breathtaking views from all living and bedroom spaces, each framed to showcase the natural beauty of the landscape or the distant hills.

The interiors merge modern and Indian design sensibilities. Custom furniture from Alankaram, an Indore-based design studio, features carefully chosen upholstery that complements the architectural detailing. Rich elements in teak and oak, combined with bronze finishes, create an elegant Indian palette, while embroidered tapestries provide rich wall backgrounds. In the master bedroom, a sleek canopy bed is paired with bespoke artwork depicting the couple’s time in Ukraine, further personalizing the space.

Master Bedroom of Sunset Citadel by Jalihal Associates

Kids Bedroom of Sunset Citadel by Jalihal Associates

The children's bedroom, designed as a shared space for twin siblings, features twin beds crafted with the same timeless detailing of teak and oak found throughout the residence. This design choice ensures that the room evolves gracefully with the children, seamlessly adapting as they grow. The subtle materiality is brought to life with playful yet tasteful accents—cushioned headboard panels, one shaped like a dinosaur and the other like a unicorn, adding a whimsical touch to the otherwise sophisticated design.

The space between the two bedrooms serves as a cozy study area, thoughtfully designed to inject a playful sculptural element into what would otherwise be a minimalist lobby. The design introduces a tactile contrast, blending functionality with artistry, creating a dynamic focal point that brings warmth and character to the transitional area.

Kids Bedroom of Sunset Citadel by Jalihal Associates

Guest Bedroom of Sunset Citadel by Jalihal Associates

The two additional bedrooms—one located on the lower floor and the other on the upper—are versatile spaces, designed to serve as both guest rooms and children’s activity rooms. The design maintains a minimalist approach, with subtle detailing in the same material palette. Rattan weaving elements add texture and warmth, seamlessly integrating these rooms into the overall aesthetic while allowing for flexible use.

In summary, Sunset Citadel is a nature lover’s sanctuary, where stunning vistas, migratory bird sightings, and fiery sunsets are part of daily life. The architecture invites the surrounding natural beauty inside through carefully considered apertures, making it a home designed for life’s most captivating visual moments.