This project comprised of two homestays. In addition to Seclude Palampur, the project brief required us to design the ‘Red Cedar Cottage’, a one room accommodation located close by. Located in a secluded area on the foothills of the Himalayas, the site itself was both the destination and refuge. The design intervention had to blend with the landscape and create a place where one could experience the surrounding plains and the distant mountains. For this purpose, the design was made to be outward looking, allowing one to experience the landscape in its entirety. The specific character of the location provided the guiding principles of the design and encouraged the use of local techniques and materials. The project strived to create a built environment, which is sustainable for the community as well as nature.