A striking residential project in Punjab, India, showcases how traditional Indian architecture can be reimagined for contemporary living. The Sanctum, designed by New Delhi-based Renesa Architecture, features a circular water-filled courtyard that serves as the "spatial and emotional nucleus" of the entire home. Located in Amritsar and spread across a three-acre site, the 1,115-square-meter dwelling represents a departure from conventional luxury home design in rural India.
The architectural design centers around the concept of "void as generator," where the circular courtyard becomes the organizing principle for the entire structure. Principal architect Sanchit Arora explained that the design intentionally moves away from the performative grandeur typical of Indian luxury homes to explore an architecture of restraint. "The circular courtyard becomes both the spatial and emotional nucleus of the home, shaping movement, light, and experience," Arora told design media. "The house is not a statement of excess, but a sanctuary of emotion and reflection."
The home's layout follows what Arora describes as a "gradient of intimacy," with private family spaces arranged around the central courtyard and wrapped by more communal areas such as the bar and dining room. The courtyard itself features concentric circles of planting, stepped benches made from polished concrete, and a shallow pool of water. A ramped walkway traverses these elements, leading to a central sunken seating area planted with a single tree. This careful arrangement creates a meditative space that serves multiple functions throughout the day.
Constructed using red brick and concrete, the dwelling comprises a cluster of geometric volumes that create sweeping walls around the central courtyard. The main challenge, according to Arora, was to articulate openness without exposure. The plan adopts inward-looking geometries and low-slung volumes that shield while connecting to the surrounding landscape. To the west, The Sanctum overlooks a swimming pool, small cricket pitch, and gardens, which are surrounded by stepped verandas and curving walls designed to maintain privacy while retaining a feeling of openness.
The bedroom spaces have been strategically separated from the living areas and placed in a smaller two-story block to the west, where they overlook the swimming pool from behind a curving section of wall. This separation reinforces the home's gradient of privacy and creates distinct zones for different activities. The architectural strategy ensures that each space serves its intended function while maintaining visual and physical connections to the central courtyard.
Interior design elements contrast dramatically with the rough exterior materials of brick and concrete. The living spaces feature smooth white ceilings paired with glossy stone floors and dark oak carpentry and furniture. This material palette creates a sophisticated interior environment that feels both contemporary and rooted in place. The oak carpentry and furniture are repeated throughout the interior spaces, creating visual continuity while maintaining the home's restrained aesthetic approach.
Climate considerations played a crucial role in the design development. Interspersed water bodies, shaded verandas, and open-to-sky courts modulate the microclimate and light quality throughout the day. These features help the home respond to India's challenging climate conditions while creating comfortable living environments. "The home thus becomes an introspective retreat, embedded in its land rather than perched upon it," Arora noted, emphasizing the building's relationship to its site.
Renesa Architecture, founded in 2006 by Sanjay Arora and now led by his son Sanchit Arora, has built a reputation for projects that balance contemporary design with traditional Indian sensibilities. The studio's previous work includes an apartment in Pune that balances contemporary details with traditional Indian crafts and materials. The Sanctum represents a continuation of this design philosophy, demonstrating how modern architecture can respond to local conditions while creating spaces for contemporary life.
The project stands as an alternative to what the architects describe as rural India's "predictable, box-like houses." By reimagining the traditional courtyard house typology, The Sanctum offers a model for how luxury residential design can prioritize serenity, proportion, and tactile honesty over excessive display. The home's success lies in its ability to create a sense of sanctuary while remaining connected to its surrounding landscape and cultural context.
