.png
)
Terrah Hills – Revival of a Forgotten Colonial Legacy
- Project: Terrah Hills Resort
- Location: Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh
- Project Type: Heritage Resort
- Plot Area: 1.2 acre
- Design Team: Design Legends
- Principal architect: Ar. Madhur Gupta
- Principal interior Designer: Id. Nitika Mahajan
- Photography: Inclined Studio
- Year of completion: Dec., 2025
Perched within the mist-laden folds of the Dhauladhar hills, Terrah Hills stands today as the revival of a forgotten colonial legacy. Nearly 150 years old, the heritage structure carried the silence, scars, and soul of another era when the team at Design Legends first encountered it. Though weathered by time and neglect, the building still possessed an unmistakable architectural identity — one deeply rooted in the language of colonial hill architecture. Adding to its remarkable historical legacy, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had once stayed at the property during his time in Dalhousie, further embedding the structure within the cultural and historical narrative of the region.
From the outset, the vision was never confined to restoration alone. The intention was revival — to revive the architecture, revive the craftsmanship, and ultimately revive the soul of the building itself.
What initially appeared to be layers of deteriorated plaster soon revealed the project’s defining discovery. Beneath decades of concealment lay an extraordinary raw stone masonry structure, rich in texture and authenticity. The moment the original stone walls emerged, the direction of the project transformed entirely. Rather than replacing history, the design process became an act of unveiling it — allowing the building to breathe again through its authentic architectural character.
At the heart of the revival was the preservation of the structure’s original spirit.
What initially appeared to be layers of deteriorated plaster soon revealed the project’s defining discovery. Beneath decades of concealment lay an extraordinary raw stone masonry structure, rich in texture and authenticity. The moment the original stone walls emerged, the direction of the project transformed entirely. Rather than replacing history, the design process became an act of unveiling it — allowing the building to breathe again through its authentic architectural character.
At the heart of the revival was the preservation of the structure’s original spirit.
The existing deodar wood, remarkably resilient after more than a century, became one of the project’s greatest assets. From the handcrafted wooden staircase and traditional plank flooring to the entirely timber-framed sloping roofs, every surviving detail reflected a level of craftsmanship rarely witnessed today. The intervention therefore sought not to modernize the building beyond recognition, but to restore its timeless Victorian hill character through colonial palettes, handcrafted furniture, antique chandeliers, textured finishes, French windows, arches, and bay window details that resonate with the elegance of its past.
The elevation of the resort was approached with equal sensitivity — not as a façade to be redesigned, but as a heritage identity to be carefully preserved. Warm wooden facades, elegant French windows, restored dormer windows, wooden columns, and graceful arches together recreate the charm of colonial hill architecture. Earth-toned textures and natural material finishes further root the building within its historical context, ensuring that the architecture continues to echo the essence of its colonial past.
One of the project’s most significant interventions came through the revival of the original stone masonry. Constructed with traditional mud mortar, the walls had naturally weakened over time. To preserve them without compromising authenticity, a polymer-based protective treatment was introduced over the exposed mortar joints, strengthening the structure while retaining its raw and earthy character. In areas where original masonry could not be recovered, textured mud-finish surfaces were carefully applied to maintain continuity with the historic fabric of the building.
The redesign also redefined the relationship between architecture and landscape. Ground-floor rooms, once connected through internal corridors, were transformed into independent cottage-style suites with private sit-outs and independent entrances overlooking the valley, creating a more intimate mountain living experience. Dormer windows and skylights were thoughtfully introduced into darker spaces, allowing natural light to filter deep into the interiors while framing uninterrupted views of the Dhauladhar ranges.
More than a restored heritage resort, Terrah Hills is ultimately a story of revival — where history, craftsmanship, light, and landscape have been brought back to life in quiet harmony.
More than a restored heritage resort, Terrah Hills is ultimately a story of revival — where history, craftsmanship, light, and landscape have been brought back to life in quiet harmony.
