"Urban Tropics" designed by Pratyusha Reddy & Dhatri Dabbara

Principal architects/designers of the firm: Studio Dvara

Location: Jubilee Hills
Size of the Plot: 200 sqyd
Date of Completion: March 2023

Designers: Pratyusha Reddy and Dhatri Dabbara- Founders, Studio Dvara

Urban Tropics is an architectural project that extends an existing house by transforming its terrace into a versatile, inviting space for family gatherings and entertainment. The primary design objective was to create a purposeful area that leverages the stunning views from the terrace while accommodating the family's lifestyle preferences, specifically their love for morning tea together and hosting guests. 

Design Vision

The overarching vision for Urban Tropics was to craft a space where the family could spend quality time and enjoy the scenic vistas from their terrace. Integrating the new extension with the existing house required careful consideration of the older structure to ensure a harmonious design flow. The design draws inspiration from the existing landscape and the captivating view beyond. This led to the creation of a pergola, an abstract composition of a tropical haven adorned with vibrant heliconias and majestic birds of paradise. The pergola's molded abstract botanical jali adds a charming touch to the space, casting interesting and varied shadows that change with the time of day and the seasons.

Design Elements

Living Room

The terrace features a living room that includes a cozy reading nook with a ribbon window cutout, providing a serene spot to unwind. This space seamlessly opens up to the terrace, offering a view of the city to the north.

Bar Area

Adjacent to the living room, the terrace hosts a bar area under the pergola. The bar unit is designed as a monolithic, stone-clad, chevron-patterned sculpture, resembling a piece of Hyderabad rock fashioned into a functional and artistic bar unit. This area is perfect for entertaining guests, making it a focal point for social gatherings.

Integration with Existing Structure

Given that Urban Tropics is an extension of an existing house, the design required thoughtful integration with the older structure. The new addition needed to complement the architectural style of the house while introducing modern elements that enhance the terrace's usability and aesthetic appeal.