The Enchanted Woods

Paths meander
Whispering and hiding amongst trees
Sunlight dances
Shadows weave the cycle of life
There was so much whispering, that it felt like a thousand leaves rustling at once…

A landscape design project in Chikhli, India exemplifies how thoughtful design choices can transform a 40,000 sq.ft (3,700 m2) plot with existing dense orchard area into a sanctuary that complements the natural environment and engages the senses. Designing landscapes is an artful blend of natural beauty and intentional human intervention, shaping spaces that tell a story, evoke emotions, and serve functional needs. Landscape design encompasses much more than mere planting; it involves orchestrating textures, colors, heights, and spatial forms to create an immersive experience.

The Enchanted Woods, commissioned by a Surat-based client as a weekend retreat, is a testament to intentional design. Nestled along a riverbank, the design journey begins even before you enter. The entry wall serves as a threshold, marking the transition from the outside world to a secluded oasis of vibrant greenery. Crafted from hand-chiseled vertical stones, specially sourced from Rajasthan, it offers filtered glimpses of the house, evoking a sense of mystery and anticipation as visitors approach. Instead of revealing the home immediately, the wall fragments views, prompting visitors to meander and experience glimpses of the home’s structure, ensconced within the landscape. The private garden envelops the house, offering diverse viewpoints that seamlessly merge indoor and outdoor spaces. The bedrooms overlook this serene, private garden, where dense plantation serves as a natural screen, ensuring seclusion.

A critical aspect of this design is its seamless integration with existing natural elements, particularly mango and chikoo trees, which serve as ‘pause points’ and give visitors moments to linger, absorb, and connect with the landscape. These trees anchor the design in its natural surroundings while reflecting a rustic, reminiscent of the bygone charm. The first pause point is the chikoo tree, serving as the focal point of the ‘Chikoo Court.’ This semi-circular space features a pedestal inspired by the traditional “otlo,” a raised platform commonly found in Indian villages, blending nostalgia with functionality. The client’s passion for vintage artifacts, particularly his collection of urns, infuses the landscape with a nostalgic charm, adding layers of cultural depth and timeless appeal.

Defined by a gently curving gravel path, flowing like a winding river through the landscape. This meandering pathway is bordered by a vibrant tapestry of plants, including fine-leaved Calatheas, Heliconias, Costus, Traveller Palms, and an array of Dracaena varieties, alongside the towering mango and chikoo trees. The second pause point is the home’s entrance, where a straight pathway patiently unveils the house. This path, guided by an existing chikoo tree, leads seamlessly to the welcoming embrace of the house verandah, creating a sense of anticipation and harmony with the natural surroundings. The subtle curves of the pathway guide visitors through the dense forest, creating a natural, seamless journey that blends effortlessly with the surrounding landscape. Moving deeper into the landscape, the path is designed as a journey with intentional stops and textural richness. Varying heights of mounds, tropical foliage, and lush plantings create an organic, almost mysterious progression. The lush greenery with broad, layered leaves mimics a tropical oasis, demarcating different zones and establishing an intricate play of height, color, and texture. By manipulating plant heights and layering foliage, the designer established a sense of privacy and surprise, as each turn in the path reveals new views or hidden spots.

Studio DesignSeed’s philosophy of ‘creating an experience’ is realized in the path’s design, which doubles as a jogging track, connecting every part of the landscape. The path becomes more than a route to the house; it’s a vital design element guiding users and framing their experience. In addition to practical pathways, “pause points” punctuate the landscape—places to stop, admire, and reflect, anchored by existing trees and designed elements like the semi-circular Chikoo court. Each pause point is carefully calibrated to create a layered spatial experience, balancing open and intimate spaces.

The third pause point, the Mango Court, features a seating platform beneath a majestic mango tree, reminiscent of village squares and evoking a timeless charm. This space highlights the tree’s natural geometry, with thoughtfully arranged plantations encircling it and a paved circular platform that anchors the design. As visitors approach this pause point, the landscape transforms into a graphic articulation, drawing the eye to the tree as the focal element. The hand chiseled stone slats continue and guide the eye of the visitor further along the pathway. Seating is seamlessly integrated into the space, inviting quiet reflection amidst the dramatic interplay of nature and design.

The fourth pause point is the ‘Treehouse’ (though not in the conventional sense), is a shaded structure amidst the lush canopy of branches. Positioned at a level that immerses visitors among the trees, it provides an elevated vantage point, offering both a sense of being part of nature and a direct view of the river, making it a retreat not only for children but for anyone seeking a peaceful connection with the landscape. The landscape element is not merely for visual appreciation but also for active engagement. It blends imaginative play with the organic surroundings. A sandbed underneath creates a play area where children can interact with nature, embodying the project’s family-friendly, rustic sensibility. Positioned near the river, the outhouse offers a distinct experience, contrasting the main house, which gazes back at the dense orchards and gardens. The transition to the outhouses is marked by a gentle change in elevation, establishing a unique ambiance within these guest spaces. Layered views, from the house to the river, create a sense of depth and richness in the visual experience, while carefully placed foliage and strategic spatial divisions ensure privacy is maintained throughout.

The fifth pause point is a madder-colored sunken seating area, where the surrounding mounds enhance the sense of enclosure, making the user feel embraced by nature and offered privacy once again. The backrest is integrated into a planter, while a central tree adds to the experience, with volumes of foliage on either side. To preserve the intimate, sunken atmosphere, tall slender trees like Cypress are used to give a sense of verticality and at the same time ensuring the space remains open yet sheltered. The dense pathway weaves around, leading uninterrupted, while the mounds also further screen the utility rooms behind, maintaining both privacy and fluid movement within the landscape.

The sixth pause point is the serene pool sheltered beneath yet another mango court, offering a moment of stillness and connection with nature. This marks a key moment in the journey along the meandering pathway that weaves through the site. The seventh pause point is the private garden which the bedroom opens into, seamlessly merging indoor and outdoor spaces to create a tranquil retreat within the landscape.

In essence, Studio DesignSeed’s weaving of The Enchanted Woods is a sensory journey, capturing the raw beauty of nature while embedding it with elements of rustic charm, cultural references, and thoughtful spatial design. By using existing natural resources—trees, river views, and terrain contours—as foundations, the project creates a space that feels both grounded and transcendent. Every path, pause point, and plant contributes to a seamless journey through layers of context, nature, and design, making it a place of relaxation and reflection for generations to come.