A perfect sensory experience

The Monsoon Cabin by Archohm in Kanhe brings the best out of solitude

19 Feb 2026

There’s beauty in isolation, and the Monsoon Cabin by Archohm is a perfect example. Skirted by the Western Ghats in Kanhe, Maharashtra, this 1,400 sq ft cabin house brings everything that one needs on a rainy day: comfort, stillness and endless sprawl of greens.

As explained by the designers Mridu Sahai Patnaik and Sourabh Gupta, the space is inspired by the beautiful Summer Cabin, designed by  BIG Architects (ironic) x LiveKlien at the Utzon Architecture Centre in Aalborg. They also borrow cues from the Seaside Jewels of Villa E1027, designed by Eileen Gray and the Wooden Cabana, designed by Le Corbusier, in the South of France. This little escape in Maharashtra tells you that meaning can be created in any space, regardless of the size or scale.

“Being remote is of the essence. The challenge of constructing and living remotely adds to the charm of this inaccessible space”

- Mridu Sahai Patnaik, Partner at Archohm

A wooden staircase in the middle, ascending into a half spiral metal stairway to access the master suite above; Photography by Biju Gopal, Bizou

Story of architecture

The home has two levels. The ground floor is a perfect balance of symmetry and harmony. The massive glass windows cover almost all the walls in the entire space. Which is also something that makes it scenic as you discover nature from the inside. As we move from the entrance, there’s an open living room designed with a grey sofa and red chair, adding to the mood of the space. Moving to the open kitchen, it serves the simple minimalist mood with wooden seating and a dining table. The middle of the room grounds the half wooden staircase rising into a spiral metal staircase, which leads us to the master suite or the upper level. The master suite is the home’s most characterful space. The sky-high slanting ceilings made of metal sheet cladding with a sunken bed creates the perfect cosy corner for the guests. The giant windows give a full view of the green mountains and the flowing Indrayani river, which rises in the nearby Sahyadri mountains. The river passes through important pilgrimage centres and is fed by the monsoon rains. Both the river and the rainfall became a key consideration in shaping the Cabin’s design.

The dining space is charaterised by a simple wooden dining table and tall ceiling giving it a decluttered look; Photography by Biju Gopal, Bizou

Palette-able choices

The home in itself has a very natural palette of colours. Muted wood browns combined with bright red chairs for the living room. Dark walls combined with grey interiors complement the space. The green mountains and the grey walls on the outside make a contrasting effect to the remote and untouched terrain. But it’s interesting to see that no matter what, people love nature and love to be in it. To fully immerse themselves in the serene beauty. This place just happens to complete all of those desires. A place that allows you to forget the past for a moment and encourages you to be in the present.

The statement staircase begins as wooden steps change into spiral metal staircase midway; Photography by Biju Gopal, Bizou

Skirted by the Western Ghats in Kanhe, Maharashtra, this 1,400 sq ft cabin house brings everything that one needs on a rainy day; Photography by Biju Gopal, Bizou

Materialistic Goals

The standout material choice for this place is the metal sheet cladding, which surrounds the retreat both internally and externally. If someone wants to build a home in secluded, natural, untouched terrain, then this could be quite helpful as it is durable and helps with the continuous rainfall in the area. The exterior is made up of a metal skin which serves a plethora of functions – offering durability, weather resistance and a natural patina that develops over time. Extending the metal indoors creates a reflective surface that adds movement through changing daylight, and hence, no artificial lighting is required during the daytime. Internally, the matte black flooring adds depth to the atmosphere as it absorbs light, balancing the light coming from the reflective metal surface.

The cantilevered open kitchen counter grounds the open space, and the giant glass windows draw the light inwards, illuminating the whole space naturally.