Where the Olive Tree Rests

Where the Olive Tree Rests is a home shaped by memory, light, and quiet intention - an architectural narrative that unfolds within the historic fabric of Lutyens’ Delhi. Designed by architect Apoorva Shroff, the 4,000 sq ft residence is a refined exercise in restraint and renewal. At its heart stands an ancient olive tree, a watchful sentinel around which the home gently revolves. The residence embraces the shifting temperament of natural light - north-facing spaces bathed in clarity, while the southern courtyard glows in a more subdued embrace.
Originally a compact residence, the home was sensitively reimagined within its existing footprint to accommodate the evolving needs of a growing family. This transformation was achieved through spatial reconfiguration and material storytelling - marble, wood, brass, and lime-finished surfaces come together in nuanced harmony. The interiors offer a sensorial rhythm: timber-clad thresholds, sculptural forms, and handcrafted details sit alongside playful contemporary art and intuitive spatial flow.
The pièce de résistance is a poetic staircase that spirals around the olive tree, connecting the lawn below to a rooftop retreat above - a newly claimed space that redefines the home’s relationship with its site. A delicate railing, appearing as though a rope frozen mid-motion, adds a lyrical layer of craftsmanship to this functional gesture.
Rooted in context yet progressive in thought, Where the Olive Trees Rest stands as a soulful response to its place - balancing nostalgia, adaptability, and design clarity while honouring the enduring ethos of Lutyens’ Delhi.