A Mexican holiday in Gwalior

Studio Dashline frames a Mediterranean identity for this home

04 Mar 2025

You’d imagine this expansive 10,000 sq ft home is a cinematic reality plucked out of Mexico’s terrains. Do a double take and you’ll find that this residence dubbed Terra Casa is in fact located in the heart of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh designed by Studio Dashline. “The family sought a sanctuary that fostered a profound connection with nature and supported their active lifestyle,” says founder & lead architect Dheeraj Bajaj alongside co-founder & lead designer Pranav Dakoria and co-founder & lead architect Shriya Sohi, adding that minimalism, sustainability and the flow of indoor-outdoor boundaries was significant to the design.

The moodboard channelled inspiration from rustic Mediterranean farmhouses and earthy modern-Mexican houses. ”We undertook meticulous research and preceding studies to ensure the design balanced traditional Mediterranean charm with earthy aesthetics infused with quirky, contemporary flair,” says XYZ. Principal Architect Dheeraj Baja made Terra Casa a sanctuary where three generations could make memories for life, surrounded with natural filters of daylight and uninterrupted breeze that reminds one of being amidst nature at all times. What will also catch your eye is the 2,500 sq ft outhouse, which tells a story of contrast, where a significant portion is dedicated to an open deck that blends in with the surroundings.

“Leaves, flowers, and branches scatter gently on the soft sandstone flooring, embedded within the ground, enhancing the sense of a symbiotic relationship with nature”

And whilst the city pulses beyond its boundaries, within lies a serene world of where time slows down under the everhealing Neem tree and branches of mango tree. As soon as you step through the Corten steel main gate of Terra Casa, you’re warmly welcomed through rich verdant foliage, a bench under a majestic Neem tree.

Featuring a serene entryway, the stone accent wall dappled in sunlight fits perfectly into the Mediterranean moodboard; Photography by Yash R Jain

Soon your gaze follows to the 15 ft bamboo pergola that casts enchanting shadows, and just when these structures amaze you, a thoughtfully installed sandpit for children and a football ground along with a glamping zone becomes a pertinent space for kids to spend their time in leisure.

Inside, awaits a 30 ft long-wall mural from House of Berserk that commands the living area and its pastel colours along with organic design reflects the family’s interests.The floor features a Chevron pattern created from three different shades of limestone, complemented by an organic-shaped chandelier by Shailesh Rajput. The dining area features a stone table paired with Magari Chairs. Upstairs, the primary bedroom embodies a holiday mood with dual-tone lime clay plaster walls.

“What drew me to Terra Casa was the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living”, reflects Dheeraj, amplifying understated luxury meeting traditional charm, with the inclusion of strategic greenery and circular windows. With understated luxury at its core, the home exemplifies a soulful balance of architecture, earthy hues, natural textures and sustainable materials.