This Modern Mud House in a vulnerable ecosystem had to be a breathing edifice, born of the earth, slowly ebbing into the soil. Birds fly and make homes in lands far away. Vedanthangal is a chosen land for migratory birds. The untouched vegetation and aquatic plants maintain the bird sanctuary in Vedanthangal as one of the country’s oldest protected regions.
Editor’s Note: This Mud House is a Sculpture masterpiece in the form of a residence designed by VY Architecture Studio. As the name suggests, this house is a ‘living structure’ with its unique curved shell covering the central courtyard. By deliberately melding cultural aspects as well as modern architecture, this structure is more than a house; it is also a recreational space for the surrounding community. ~ Rajvi Dedakiya
This Modern Mud House is Designed in a Vulnerable Ecosystem | Vy architecture studio
A living home for living beings. The client’s story is that of a man caged in the walls of a city. Setting him free in this chosen land was our role as architects.
With reference to the indigenous construction practices of mud architecture and courtyard houses, our design approach was grounded in history and equally modern for the city dwellers to adapt.
The shell had to allow the gaze to penetrate the surfaces. Additionally, it bears witness of age and history on its skin and withholds the openness of the client in its layout.
Amid a cluster of family-owned houses, the north-facing rectangular site belongs to a borderless neighborhood with the only true boundary being the thinnai—a raised, covered veranda intrinsic to Tamil households. However, this space, where the family chit-chats with neighbours and feeds dogs is the heart of belonging.
The plan divides into three zones. The communal spaces—thinnai, living room, and courtyard—connect seamlessly, while the more private kitchen and bedrooms are arranged linearly to ensure visual continuity throughout. At the core of the house is a courtyard.
A wall curves through the volume of the courtyard and shelters the west from harsh sun. On the east, the curve extends to the roof, forming an open space to bask in the morning sun.
The curve, more than a sculptural element, is a play wall to climb up to the roof and lie back, watching clouds drift by. The curve connects the ground and the roof, creating a three-dimensional recreational area.
The perforations in the curve let the sun cast patterns on the earth-like oxide floor and shower rain into the courtyard. Additionally, the river rocks in the courtyard are mnemonic objects, reminiscent of the river flowing nearby.
The courtyard invites not just the family but also birds, insects, dogs, and cats, turning the home into a sanctuary for all. Here, the home celebrates the climate’s veracities—bare feet on cool, damp soil, raindrops from the open roof, stargazing at a clear blue sky—breathing life into the narrative.
Fact File
Designed by: Vy architecture studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: VAAZH
Location: Vedanthangal
Year Built: 2024
Principal Architect: Ar. Venkatesh & Ar. Yogalakshmi
Design Credits: Srinivasan & Ramesh Kumar
Photograph Courtesy: SYAM
Firm’s Website Link: Vy architecture studio
Firm’s Instagram Link: Vy architecture studio
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