AELAY RESIDENCE

Aelay Retreat is conceived as a farmhouse retreat and creative sanctuary for Laxman Aelay, a renowned contemporary artist from Telangana, and his daughter Priyanka Aelay. Rooted in the artists' deep relationship with land, culture, and lived narratives, the project brings together residence, studios, and spaces for dialogue within a single, continuous landscape.

Set amidst mango orchards and expansive farmlands, the retreat is imagined as a place where everyday life, artistic practice, and public engagement coexist seamlessly.

The architectural massing is carefully calibrated to the site, with one half embedded within the mango groves and the other opening toward the farmlands, ensuring that every bedroom and private space remains connected to nature. The material language is intentionally honest and tactile exposed brick and concrete form the primary structure, while beige plastered interiors create a calm, neutral backdrop that allows art, light, and shadow to take precedence.

Landscaped water bodies mark the entrance and punctuate courtyards, establishing a gentle transition from the outside world into a more contemplative realm.

Spatially, the house is organized around a sequence of courts that guide daily life and artistic activity. An east-facing morning courtyard, anchored by a banyan tree and a water body, becomes a space for quiet rituals and reflection.

In contrast, the western court unfolds as an exhibition and gathering space under mango trees, designed for informal displays, artist talks, and community interaction. An amphitheatre and exhibition walls tucked beneath existing trees extend the artistic experience outdoors, dissolving boundaries between built form, landscape, and art.