Designing a holiday home that stays healthy while you are away

By Red Brick Studio · Updated 24 October 2026 · 2 min read

Cove House, Panshet, designed by Red Brick Studio

Design for absence. A holiday home is empty for weeks, so it should shed water, let air move and avoid materials that need frequent care. That means a raised base, generous roof overhangs, drainage sorted before construction, and good cross-ventilation, along with a clear maintenance plan from your architect.

Start with water

In the monsoon, water is the main problem a holiday home has to solve while no one is there. The general principles are well established: a raised plinth, projecting roof edges that keep rain off walls, and a roof pitched or shaped to shed water quickly. Site drainage should be planned before construction, with channels to carry water away rather than leaving it standing against the house.

Let air move

Damp and mould build up fastest in closed, still air. Cross-ventilation, openings placed to let air pass through, and moisture barriers in walls and floors all help. A house that can be opened up, even partly, copes far better with long absences than one that relies on being sealed shut.

At Cove House in Panshet, a continuous clerestory window runs between the roof and the walls on all sides, so daylight reaches the interior, and you can look straight through the house to the valley beyond. The house is mostly sunk into the ground under one curved ferro-cement roof. That is the design intent, and it is the kind of decision to discuss with your architect from the start.

Choose materials for the long absence

Timber: use treated wood or protect it with a suitable finish, because untreated timber can rot in humid air.
Metal: fixtures can rust, so choose rust-resistant coatings or materials.
Furniture: keep soft furnishings that hold moisture to a minimum, or plan to cover and store them.
Finishes: pick surfaces that tolerate damp and are easy to clean, not ones that need regular refinishing.

Our own homes at Lavasa, Frangipani and Machan, were designed as vacation homes. The brief for such a house should always include who will look after it between visits.

Cover the outdoors

A covered terrace or verandah often becomes the most-used room in a holiday home, because it lets you enjoy the outdoors in any weather. It also protects the walls behind it.

Ask for a maintenance plan

Before you sign off the design, ask your architect for a short list: what needs checking after each monsoon, who should check it, and what the likely repairs are over the first few years. A house designed for absence still needs a caretaker or a regular visit.

Common questions

How often should an empty holiday home be checked?: As a rule, have someone look at it regularly, and always after heavy rain. How often depends on the climate and the site, so agree a routine with your architect.
Is an open-to-the-elements design a good idea for a holiday home?: It can suit the climate and the setting, but it exposes the house to more damp. It works when materials and detailing are chosen for it.
What is the biggest mistake in holiday home design?: Treating it like a city home. Long absences, humidity and distance from help need to shape the design from the first sketch.

Projects mentioned

Sources for general guidance

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