“This home is the embodiment of its family’s dreams,” Natasha Aggarwal describes as she recalls working with one of her oldest and dearest clients on their weekend home, “dating back to when I first began my independent practice. I still remember how they’d jokingly tell me that one day they’d gift themselves a dream home in the hills, and I’ll be the one to design it,” she adds, taking in the Texan-style lodge spread across 12,000 square feet and three floors, overlooking the verdant landscapes of Pawna. Perched majestically atop a hill, Aggarwal—the principal designer of her firm NACL Studio—designed the weekend getaway like a log house, constructed with imported wood and meticulous local craftsmanship.
Built for a sexagenarian couple, along with their two children and their spouses, Aggarwal envisioned the home as a retreat where the entire family could come together away from the big city. Distinctly wanting to steer clear of a home built in concrete, the structure of the log house is made with wood from Russia, carefully assembled on-site, log by log, “reminiscent of constructing a Lego house!” shares Aggarwal. “Given the steep slope of the site, the house was constructed on a concrete base, which provided a flat and stable foundation for ease of construction. This concrete base was designed to accommodate an entire floor plate of 5,000 square feet, housing bedrooms, living spaces, the pool area, and various amenities. The solid foundation not only supports the log house but also maximises utility for the structure below,” Aggarwal points out.
“The steep slopes worked to our advantage, offering sweeping views of the valleys from different heights and perspectives that might not have been possible otherwise. And, a terrace-like landscape was developed at the back of the house, overlooking the valley. As you drive up to the property, the first glimpse of the house is from the valley side, where the seamless blend of concrete and wood becomes apparent. Upon entering the property, you are immediately welcomed by an inviting log house, which creates a charming first impression,” Aggarwal relates.
The primary challenge along the way was to seamlessly merge the wooden log house with the RCC structure, ensuring they appeared cohesive rather than distinctly different. To achieve this, Aggarwal and her team established a consistent design language throughout the home, from the door designs to the flooring materials, furniture, and lighting. “We also incorporated more wood into the lower level to create a balance with the wooden upper floors.”
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The second challenge was to preserve the beauty of the wooden structure without it being compromised by technical elements such as electrical conduits, wiring, or plumbing. Custom-made exposed copper conduits were crafted specifically for this house, paired with vintage switches that didn’t require drilling into the wooden walls—maintaining the rustic, old-world charm while eliminating the need to embed electrical fixtures. To preserve the natural wood ceilings, the house doesn’t have any false ceilings, “which meant we had to cleverly conceal the conduits without reducing ceiling heights. For this, we routed them along the wooden beams, concealed them with additional wood to preserve the look and height, and used custom wooden finish lights that blended seamlessly with the surroundings.”
Looking back, Aggarwal feels she stepped out of her comfort zone with this weekend home in Pawna, “working with elements that were both unconventional and out-of-the-box, which was an entirely new experience for me. While I pushed the boundaries of creativity, it was essential to stay grounded in the core principles of interior design,” she muses. A new space built from scratch demanded meticulous attention to detail and thoughtful decision-making at every step. “This project was a series of firsts in many ways, and every time I reflect on it, I can’t help but smile. It’s a reminder of growth, creativity, and the joy of seeing bold ideas come to life.”
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