As a young architecture student at New York’s Pratt Institute, Nilasha could scarcely have imagined that she would one day be building houses twice – first out of paper, then in brick and stone. That unlikely reality came true in 2024, when her Hyderabad-based practice, Studio Nilasha, took on a project in the city that demanded a more traditional design language than the studio was used to. Struggling at first to judge the scale and proportions of mouldings and ornamental details, the team resorted to full-scale paper mock-ups. Before long, walls were taped over with balustrades, window grilles, and even stained-glass stand-ins, until, as Nilasha jokes, “we accidentally built the entire house in stationery before building it for real.”

The playful process suited the homeowners – who discovered Studio Nilasha through a friend and felt an immediate connection to its material sensitivity – rather perfectly. Prashanth, an entrepreneur, and Sunaina, who works in creative direction and branding, move easily between structure and intuition, guided by a shared belief in thoughtful living and a worldview shaped by Indian philosophy. As Nilasha explains, that translated into a simple goal: a home that felt grounded and a warm reflection of their South Indian roots. “We were looking for something calm and grounding,” Sunaina says, “a place that carried our cultural memory without feeling heavy-handed.”
That sensibility found its footing as Villa Auro, a 6,500 sq ft family home set within a green, open community chosen as much for its breathing room as for its location. Rather than relying on obvious gestures, the house builds its character through objects layered with meaning. A worn teak cabinet, coloured glass filtering daylight, a brass vessel placed almost casually, devotional art woven into everyday spaces – each piece recalls memory and belonging without turning the house into a time capsule. As Prashanth reflects, “Nothing here is meant to be ornamental. Everything is meant to be lived with.”

The architecture follows the same easy rhythm. A carved timber door opens into a formal living room grounded by stone floors and softened with lime plaster, where antiques and contemporary pieces sit side by side. Arched openings guide movement through dining and family spaces, allowing rooms to flow without fuss. Personal references surface quietly. A wooden balustrade reworks a familiar detail from Sunaina’s childhood home, while stained glass offers a subtle nod to Hyderabad’s architectural past. Technology stays largely out of sight, supporting daily routines without stealing the spotlight.

For Nilasha, Villa Auro marks a turning point – proof that restraint can make room for richness without losing its way. For Prashanth and Sunaina, it is a home that feels true to who they are. Or, as they put it simply, “It feels like us.”