{
  "id": 1310328,
  "title": "16 years to build a home? Experts explain what makes Suniel Shetty’s Jahaan different",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/16-years-to-build-a-home-experts-explain-what-makes-suniel-shettys-1310328",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-16T16:30:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express - Lifestyle",
    "slug": "the-indian-express-lifestyle",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/16-years-to-build-a-home-experts-explain-what-makes-suniel-shettys-jahaan-different-10836130/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Suniel Shetty's Khandala estate, Jahaan, took 16 years to come to fruition. The property began as barren land with a few trees and cactus plants, before evolving into a sprawling 400-tree haven with a natural stream and a house designed to blend with the site's contours. The architects and interior designers responsible for Jahaan emphasize a unique design philosophy they call \"slow architecture\". This approach prioritizes the development of the site over the speed of the market. Rather than imposing a preconceived design on the land, the architects allowed the existing natural features to shape the design, from the placement of trees and land levels to water flow and ventilation. Architect Nitin Agarwal, Principal Architect at The Studio Synergy, sees Jahaan as a prime example of this \"slow architecture\" philosophy. He notes that the 16-year timeline was not just about construction, but also the time it took for trees to mature and the landscape to develop. The house's design is deeply influenced by the site itself, rather than being altered to fit a predetermined blueprint. Interior designer Gunjan Goel agrees, highlighting how the home's design dissolves from the interior to the natural landscape. The earthy textures, warm natural wood, soft hues, and natural light create a visual richness that complements the surrounding environment. Furniture expert Raghunandan Saraf notes that the furniture in Jahaan is central to the interior design, as it carries the visual language of the wood, earthy tones, and natural textures. Unlike typical luxury homes, Jahaan's furniture is not just decorative but enduring, with natural wood gaining attractiveness over time. The 16-year wait for Jahaan allowed nature to mature and become an architectural asset, creating a design that is not dependent on fashion trends.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "16 years to build a home? Experts explain what makes Suniel Shetty’s Jahaan different",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/16-years-to-build-a-home-experts-explain-what-makes-suniel-shettys",
        "published": "2026-08-16T16:30:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}