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Red House

Exploratory residency

Residency brief

The Red House is a private, self-funded cultural centre, now operating internationally, housed in India in a converted 1960s electronics factory in South Delhi. Its Gothic architecture, inspired by John Ruskin and William Morris, is primarily constructed in brick and lime after Laurie Baker, and features a lush, green courtyard-garden.

Over the past four years, we have curated high-quality near-weekly programming with the aim of building a bold, sincere community of artists and art lovers in the capital—now numbering over 13,000. Film screenings, poetry readings, art exhibitions, dance recitals, craft workshops, walks, and trips—both indoor and outdoor—have all been conducted while maintaining a clearly recognisable aesthetic and direction. In addressing difficult and sensitive themes, our approach has always been approachable, unpretentious, and straightforward, without compromising artistic sensibility or seriousness. The residency offers artists dedicated time and space to create, alongside opportunities to engage with a dynamic and curious audience. At Red House, artistic practice is not isolated—it is shared, discussed, tested, and nourished through encounters.

To be in residence in New Delhi is to be immersed in a city of striking contrasts and relentless vitality. Here, ancient histories and contemporary urgencies coexist at every corner; languages, textures, and artistic traditions overlap and collide. The city can be overwhelming, but it is also deeply generative—offering constant stimuli, unexpected encounters, and a rich cultural landscape that challenges and expands artistic perspectives. From informal conversations to chance discoveries, from neighbourhood walks to institutional spaces, Delhi becomes both a site of inspiration and a field of inquiry.

Red House offers residents an inspiring home base within this intensity: a space of calm, reflection, and exchange, where one can retreat, reconnect, and create—while remaining in dialogue with the city that surrounds it.

  • Thematic focus Literature
  • Location New Delhi
  • Dates February and March 2027
  • Length of stay 6 - 8 weeks
  • Apply Now

Our Space

Built inside a renovated 1960s electronics factory, the Red House is a cultural centre and creative community space. Constructed by hand by a-nuclear-physicist-turned-artist largely with brick and lime, it has been hosting film screenings, exhibitions, and workshops since 2022.

The premises are ideal, we believe, for those who would like to switch off and escape awhile, while firmly still being within the city. One can walk barefoot in the romantically lush Gothic garden, listen to the birds all day long, and in fact, even have a candlelight dinner on the roof (especially when it rains)! Given its history, we believe poets, painters, writers, and creatives in general will all particularly fall in love with it, and it will serve their art.

The room has two single beds framed by floor-to-ceiling white sheer drapes, a sitting area with cane chairs, a work desk, and a glass-enclosed shower. The flooring is old-school-traditional matted throughout, storage is custom-built with rattan doors, and windows are diamond-shaped-jalis. The room connects directly to the kitchen through a door, which guests can keep closed for full privacy. Overall, the architecture draws inspiration from John Ruskin, William Morris (after whom in fact the space has been named) and Laurie Baker.

The aforementioned shared attached kitchenette is fully functional and has a mini fridge, induction plate(s), saucepan, microwave, tea and coffee sachets, milk powder, and sugar. There are all the necessary utensils and cutlery, glasses, cups for you to use as well, of course, all arranged in a rack near the basin (which we would request you to use and keep back as they have been placed, please). Kindly note that while only vegetarian food can be cooked and ordered on the premises, residents are free to visit restaurants etc outside to eat meat.

The shared toilet is a short walk through an alleyway with exposed brick walls, with a vessel sink on a stone counter.

Most rarely in Delhi, our place boasts of a full green courtyard, and is a proper green lung, overflowing with trees, flowering plants, and brick pathways. The aforementioned terrace above has an outdoor dining area under a red pergola strung with fairy lights, and a large Picasso-inspired mural made by 28 Red House artists running all along the wall. It's the kind of place you sit down in for ten minutes and end up staying two hours.

AC, fast WiFi, and power backup are available throughout the property. Free dedicated parking on-site also. Your room is your own private space, with two windows and interior doors that close off the kitchen and courtyard when you need some quiet. The kitchen, courtyard, terrace, and toilet are shared spaces that you are welcome to use freely. The Red House is not currently wheelchair accessible. Please note, importantly, that the room has a matted floor, and smoking is strictly not allowed inside — residents are requested to step outside the Red House if they wish to smoke.

Located in Okhla, one of Delhi’s historic industrial neighbourhoods, the Red House sits at the intersection of creative retreat and urban energy. Weekdays carry the hum of a vibrant city at work, offering a subtle reminder of Delhi’s industrious rhythm, while the space itself remains a calm, green refuge within it. Geographically, the Red House is in one of South Delhi's most connected and underrated neighbourhoods, close to the Okhla Bird Sanctuary.

Residency conditions

  • The resident will be given access to accommodation and a working space within a serene, art-filled environment, including a private room, shared kitchenette, lush courtyard, and rooftop dining area, along with amenities such as AC, fast WiFi, power backup, a geyser, dedicated parking, essential kitchen equipment, and 24x7 security.
  • The Residents’ travel costs to and from his/her home address will be covered by the French Institute in India.
  • The resident will receive a fixed stipend of INR. 60 000 per month to cover his/her food and living expenses.
  • The resident will receive a fixed residency grant of INR. 50 000 per month.
  • The resident should be willing to give up to 20% of their residency time to participate in social gatherings, readings, workshops or conferences organized by Red House or the French Institute in India.
  • This is an exploratory residence, which means that there is no obligation of results at the end of the residency. However, the residency program needs to be acknowledged in any literary production resulting from the residency.
  • The French Institute in India expects the selected resident to send them a short text (1000 - 2000 words) testifying of their experience within 3 months of completion of the residency.

Eligibility criteria

  • Proficiency in English is required for the applicant.
  • The resident must have one book (minimum) published by a French publishing house