David Mahal

The Mardana rooms are built around a spacious garden court ringed on three sides by spectacular arcade halls. These had never been completed and large rocks had to be hand-chiselled to create linear living spaces. The thick walls were pierced to make balconies with views of the countryside. Each room has two or three square rooms linked with wide arches and the facilities are discreetly tucked within.

Tucked away in silence this room honours David Housego, once the New Delhi correspondent of the Financial times, that stayed back, lured by India’s diverse craft skills. This sunset facing room displays the inventiveness of Shades of India which uses design dexterity with a very contemporary sensibility.