“Architecture should speak of its time and location, yet desire for timelessness,” remarked Frank Gehry, a well-known Canadian-American architect who designed famous projects such as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain. A Mumbai-based firm recently completed one such architectural jewel several kilometres away, combining innovative technology and indigenous materials with an eye toward sustainability.The private residence ‘Airavat', or ‘A house in the clouds,' was envisioned by ‘research and investigation into Design' (reD) Architects and is located in Khopoli, in a peaceful area of the Sahyadri highlands. It has earned the business a spot on the shortlist for finished homes or villas in the Rural/Nature category of the 2020-21 World Architecture Festival.WAF began in 2008 as an annual festival and awards presentation. It is regarded as one of the most prominent events in the field of architecture and development. It will be hosted in Lisbon this year in December. Apoorva Shroff, one of the partners of reD, told Mid-day.com about the project, “The sweeping views of the Western Ghats in almost any direction are the highlight of this otherwise simple parcel of land.” She adds, “The capturing and framing of these picturesque landscapes was the primary inspiration behind the design.”The project was started in 2018 and finished in December 2020 by the company, which was founded in 2004 by Rajiv Parekh, Ekta Puri, Maithili Raut, and Shroff. It is known to have refurbished the houses of Ranbir Kapoor, Karan Johar, and Gauri Khan in the past. The goal with the Khopoli property, according to Shroff, was to create spaces that ranged from majestic to intimate.The architects intended the house's drama and the vista it captures to vary and move with the spectator around every turn. As a result, the concrete and metal construction includes big sliding windows that allow the interior spaces of the house to take in the natural scenery. Shroff believes practical elements like wide overhangs, verandahs, and a partly coved roof are necessary due to the region's severe weather conditions.For the past several years, there has been a lot of emphasis on sustainability and environmentally friendly practises. These aspects have also been attempted to be implemented in this project. “One of the most difficult aspects of living at the summit is the shortage of water.Responsible architecture needs to address issues of making a home self-reliant for electricity and water in the least, says Shroff. “This home attempts sustainability not only through its water collection and reuse ecosystem but also by the use of local and easy materials.” Shroff shares that very little wood has been used. Cross ventilation ensures that power is consumed minimally. Interestingly, rocks excavated from the site during construction were put back into building retaining walls and this added to the hill station appeal of the home.