With the weight of Indian summer heat suddenly looming, cool sea breezes offer a refreshing respite. These beach houses from the AD archives will get you excited for summer.
With summer rushing in faster than we realize, the thought of cool sea breezes instantly becomes a balm for the soul.
Here are 5 breezy beach houses that perfectly capture the timeless magic of an endless summer holiday — places where time feels gentler, and the heart feels lighter.
A Beach House With A Greek Soul
Someone once said that the ultimate luxury is time — but interior designer Manmeet Arora believes the true luxury is living by the sea. After moving from the bustling city of Mumbai to the peaceful shores of Goa during the pandemic, she discovered something deeper — the sea has a way of healing the soul, of making you want to never leave, except maybe to find another coastline just as special.
When Manmeet was called to refresh a beach house in Chennai, she found herself instantly mesmerized. “The very first thing I noticed when I walked in was the crystal-clear view of the Indian Ocean,” she recalls. To her, everything else fell into place around that breathtaking sight.
Her design was simple but heartfelt — to let the stunning view remain the star, and create a home that gently echoed the calmness of the sea outside. Using natural, local materials and soft, muted tones, she crafted interiors that felt like an extension of the landscape — a soothing, quiet rhythm that whispered the same gentle lullabies as the waves.
The earthy terracotta floors and warm, comforting walls in the bedrooms bring a sense of nurturing calm, like a safe cocoon where one can relax completely. The entire house breathes the soul of the Mediterranean, but with a deeply local heartbeat.
A Sanctuary Between Sea And River
Architect Thomas Parambil describes his first visit to Lavina Oberoi’s property as a moment when nature itself spoke to him — nestled between the Arabian Sea and a peaceful river, the land seemed to whisper, urging him to design differently.
Instead of the usual north-south orientation, he turned the home westward, creating large overhangs to shield from harsh sunlight while framing magical views on both ends. This thoughtful choice not only respects nature’s rhythm but invites in spaces for gathering, quiet retreats, and a pool deck that blurs the line between private and communal life.
The house sits beautifully within the natural slope of the land, with a basement car park tucked discreetly below to preserve the landscape’s integrity. Every material used — from rough stone to warm wood — speaks of the local craftsmanship, creating a home that feels grounded, authentic, and deeply connected to its surroundings.
A Tropical Modern Seaside Villa
At first glance, this Chennai home hides its treasures behind a simple, brooding facade. But step inside, and you’re greeted by layers of discovery — the design reveals itself slowly, like waves unfolding on a shore.
Studio Context’s Raghuveer Ramesh and Sharanya Srinivasan created a home that flows along two intersecting axes, connecting courtyard, pool, living spaces, and beach seamlessly. Here, indoors and outdoors meld — pocket doors invite fresh sea breezes to mingle with earthy tones and lush pocket gardens.
Malli Saravanan’s landscape design drapes a leafy canopy over the entrance, while large overhangs ensure the home stays cool year-round. “You can smell the sea indoors,” Raghuveer says with a smile. The verandah, inspired by the traditional thinnai, becomes a communal heart where generations meet — grandparents enjoy morning rituals while children play freely under open skies.
A Hamptons-Inspired Beachfront Home
For Chennai’s busy city dwellers, this 7,000-square-foot coastal home is a dreamy retreat — a place to slow down and soak in endless views of the sea, sky, and gentle pebbled beaches.
Interior designer Tanya Mallavarapu transformed an old bungalow into a vibrant sanctuary filled with cherished travel mementos, vintage furniture, and joyful colors. The home feels like a perpetual holiday, with warm nautical hues and a relaxed, welcoming spirit.
Here, the main bedroom is a serene oasis, inviting you awake each morning with soft, golden sunlight spilling in — a gentle reminder that the sea awaits just beyond the door. Quiet nooks scattered around the social ‘great room’ offer moments to pause, reflect, and watch the waves dance.
A Monastic Seafront Escape
Nestled along the Konkan coast in Guhagar village, this house feels like a peaceful retreat from the world’s noise — simple, elegant, and deeply personal, much like its owners, Sunil and Aruna.
Architect Sachin Agshikar designed the home to unfold slowly, like a story whispered in parts — through cobblestone courtyards, a calming water body, and a verandah framed by salvaged wooden columns. At the very end lies a secret entry, tucked away for those curious enough to find it.
The house embraces the sea both physically and spiritually, with rough Kota stone paths leading gently into the ocean. Here, nature and home live in quiet harmony, leaving you with the lingering question: where does the house end, and the sea begin?
A High-Ceilinged Haven
On a quiet Chennai street by the sea, architects Ammaar and Mridula Chowdry created a home that is both airy and intimate, capturing the tropical spirit of its surroundings.
The three staggered levels step gently along the narrow plot, creating cozy window nooks that look out onto lush palms and blooming bougainvillaea. At the center is the ‘great room’ — a lively heart where family life unfolds naturally amid the gentle hum of the outdoors.
The house’s smart double-skin facade, crafted from natural clay Porotherm blocks and half-cut bricks, cools the interiors even under Chennai’s fierce sun. Ingenious window systems offer endless ways to connect with nature, while the main bedroom opens onto a private terrace with breathtaking views of the Bay of Bengal — a perfect place to greet the day and feel the sea’s calming embrace.
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