Urul, located amidst the serene landscapes of Wayanad, is a research-based project designed for a nature-loving couple. This 2-bedroom house design residence immerses its occupants in the surrounding beauty while honoring nature’s colors and elements. Positioned against a rocky hill with a panoramic view of Chembra Peak and an Indian Rosewood tree as the focal point, the house blends harmoniously with its terrain. The cantilevered ground floor minimizes earth disruption, creating a sense of a balcony. An environmental study identified two underground paleochannels, guiding the placement of the well.
Editor’s Note: “Seamlessly integrated with the terrain of Wayanad, Urul is an eco-sensitive 2 bedroom house, designed by Studio Terratect. It cantilevers above the ground to minimize disruptions to site conditions while enhancing the settings of Chembra Peak. Curated with locally available materials, using sustainable technologies and reclaimed wood, Urul embraces nature with open spaces and the interplay of lights.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
2 Bedroom House Design Honors Nature’s Color And Elements | Studio Terratects
The residence offers captivating views from every angle. A circular cutout in the C-shaped entrance bay frames Chembra Peak, setting the stage for the scenic journey ahead. The living room and master bedroom continue this theme, with glass replacing the south wall, inviting nature inside.
The open interior layout frames views of the exterior or interior, ensuring a seamless connection with the surroundings. A glass-flanked bridge connecting the kitchen to the block further blurs the lines between architecture and nature.
Urul’s construction merges traditional techniques with modern innovation, using local materials and craftsmanship. Through research and interviews with elderly masons and local tribes, valuable insights were gained on building in harmony with nature, employing sustainable techniques and materials sourced directly from the site.
This approach has influenced local building practices, with mud plastering researched for waterproof and insect-proof qualities. Local artisans were trained in this method, which they continue to use in their projects.
The mature Indian Rosewood tree is woven into the design, symbolizing the connection between the home and its context. As one ascends to the first-floor bedroom, the tree’s presence offers a unique view, imbuing the space with natural charm and drama.
Designed to maximize natural light and ventilation, the building captures the interplay of light and shadows throughout the day. The pooja space at the entrance, illuminated by a skylight, exudes a divine atmosphere. Reclaimed wooden logs, known locally as shavock, line the ceilings of the living area and first floor, casting striking shadows on the walls.
Circular cutouts in the metal staircase create playful patterns underneath. This transforms the house into a living sundial, allowing residents to gauge the time by observing the shifting shadows, blending functionality with aesthetic appeal.
The site’s history of landslides and water runoff posed construction challenges. Trenches, up to 2 meters deep, were dug along identified landslide paths and filled with rocks to create artificial drainage.
A retaining wall at the rear buffers against stone falls, while bamboo (Dendrocalamus Giganteus) stabilizes the soil further.
Urul harmoniously integrates with its environment, inviting nature indoors and prioritizing sustainability. It offers a visual feast with nature-inspired design, ensuring that residents experience every facet of the environment within the comfort of a home.
Fact File
Designed by: Studio Terratects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: URUL House
Location: Wayanad, Kerala
Year: 2023
Built Up Area: 1600 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ar. Roshith Shibu
Photograph Courtesy: Studio IKSHA & Running Studios
Lead Team: Roshith Shibu
Design Team: Abinas Ahmed, Anisha Padmajan
Technical Team: Hashim K Abdul Azeez
Engineering & Consulting > Civil: Triangle Design Studio
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: Studio Terratects
Firm’s Instagram Link: Studio Terratects
For Similar Project>> This Aesthetic Courtyard House With Lush Landscape Design Offers A Calm Aura To The Users
The way we design spaces that people inhabit goes beyond mere functionality. It requires an intentional sensitivity to how each detail shapes the overall experience and interaction with the surrounding ecological context. Nestled in the suburban periphery of Nashik, the project occupies a 3700 sq. ft. plot located at the dead-end of a street, adjacent […]
Kerala style homes have courtyards surrounded by rooms on each side. Traditional Kerala-style homes have a central courtyard known as Nadumuttam surrounded by rooms. These homes promote natural light and ventilation according to the region’s climate. These homes, due to the feature of courtyards as their core spaces, offer beautiful opportunities for social gatherings. This […]
In a time when design is often reduced to trends, Yaahvi’s light design stands as a reminder of tactility, tradition, and craftsmanship. Founded by Nikita Bansal, who journeyed from Assam to the global design stage, champions a philosophy where contemporary aesthetics meet age-old Indian craftsmanship. In this exclusive interview, Nikita reflects on her early influences, […]
India, a nation bustling with innovation and a constant drive for progress, is increasingly embracing an unconventional yet incredibly promising architectural trend: container architecture. We are witnessing a fascinating transformation, as discarded shipping containers, once traversing the high seas laden with goods, now find new life as dynamic, sustainable, and surprisingly sophisticated living and working […]
This bungalow style house influences the site context and can be visualised in multiple facades of sharp edges & cuboidal form. Her,e salient features like U-Projection are an expression of the bench on a level one. The house divides itself into three bays. On the ground floor, where first bay acquire all public activities like […]
Imagine yourself on the terrace of your hidden mountain retreat, drinking a fresh cup of coffee as you admire the sunrise emerging from behind the rolling hills across the valley. This serene atmosphere is exactly what Hello Wood’s latest project, the Console House, is designed to offer. The Console House showcases modern architecture design while […]
As cities continue to grow and evolve, there is a growing desire to incorporate elements of rural living into urban design. By embracing rural living principles, cities can create more eco-friendly and sustainable spaces. Rural living is not just about wide-open spaces and rolling hills. It’s also about community, sustainability, and a connection to nature. […]
Located in the thriving city of Ichalkaranji, this is an example of luxury residences is a seamless blend of timeless elegance and modern sophistication. The striking exterior, adorned with brick and natural stone cladding, exudes warmth, character, and permanence. These rich textures create a visually captivating façade, harmonizing tradition with contemporary design while making a […]
Throughout history, stone has embodied permanence, artistry, and raw beauty in architecture. From the grandeur of Roman amphitheaters to the earthy elegance of modern villas, stone remains a beloved material for its strength, sustainability, and aesthetic richness. As design trends evolve toward natural materials, eco-conscious decisions, and biophilic design, stone has found new expressions — […]
The space adopts a biophilic office design and climate-responsive approach, creating a workspace that reimagines urban interiors by deeply embedding them with nature. The style is earthy, minimal, and modern with a strong contextual sensitivity to its location. Also, a lush canopy surrounds the bare-shell site on the first floor, allowing for abundant daylight and […]