With a verdant panoramic view of the mountains and deep woods of coconut and palm trees, the site lies plain with no special characteristics of terrain or landscape. Being the developer’s site, the surrounding environs of about 12 acres, including our site, are plain. This led to the creation of an interesting building with earthen architecture that should respect nature. We started our design focusing 25% on construction and 75% on nature.
Editor’s Note: “Designed to blend with the surrounding green environment, the 2BHK farmhouse in Tamil Nadu displays sustainable fold architecture with fluidic forms. This structure sustains without columns or beams that feature traditional lime and mud plaster while offering thermal comfort. Custom-built furniture, stone finishes, and an extensive central courtyard embrace craftsmanship and create an artisanal retreat with nature.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
This Earthen Architecture Embraces Surrounding Verdant Landscape | Earthscape Studio
Speaking of sustainability, growing and planting trees is not only sustainable, but how our building responds to nature is more important. So, we focused on the construction technique that will reduce carbon emissions.
This self-sustaining structure folds and flows in a fluidic form and we call this technique fold architecture. This self-sustaining 4½-inch shell bends and flows with a series of arches with layers of thappi plaster on the outside and mud plaster on the inside on both sides of the ferrocement. Being a self-sustaining structure, it has no columns or beams.
Mud is not a material palette; the beautiful thing in earthen architecture is not only about using the materials but also about the artisans.
Traditional lime plasters from India flow along smoothly on the floor and the furniture, giving a luxuriant feel inside the spaces.
This helps in reducing the temperature by about 3 degrees inside the space from the outside. 7½ ft tall, a verdant landscape bends and hugs the structure with lush-grown grass all around.
Being a highly humid area, this helps in reducing the temperature inside the spaces and also acts as a structural member for the structure.
This 2BHK farmhouse folds with surprises for each space. The circular transition brings curiosity about the spaces. These folds and curves feel like entering a cave, giving a wild experience.
The windows open to the sylvan view on the outside from the lower level. Thus, bringing the cold air into the space. Vent openings protrude out from the structure at each space for the hot air to escape. Moreover, it creates a stack effect.
The light play from each vent creates a dramatic feel inside the spaces. The linear opening at the bar gives a panoramic view of the tall coconut and palm trees.
The central courtyard opens into the spaces with smaller and larger openings, helping the natural light and ventilation into the space, creating a feel of open and semi-open transition. We believe that interiors are not about purchasing and arranging inside a space.
All the furniture is built in accordance with the space. The bed, cushions, and fabrics are customized in accordance with their own shape and play, creating an opulent feel. The bed, bar counter, pantry, and seating are all done with Arise finishes, giving a lap of luxury to each space.
The bathrooms are done with a rising finish, which acts as a natural, chemical-free waterproofing. The wood used in doors, benches, and cabinets is collected from scrap wood.
The stone door handles and stone bench are carved at the site where the stones are sourced from the site. Additionally, the green foliage covering the shell gives a garden feel on the outside and the home on the inside.
Fact File
Designed by: Earthscape Studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Into The Wild House
Location: Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu
Year: 2024
Project Size: 1450 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Petchimuthu Kennedy
Design Team: Petchimuthu Kennedy, Shivani Saran S K, Niha Ann Baby, Sowmiya Arul
Photograph Courtesy: IKSHA
Interior Curator: Parveen Backer
Construction Team: Jothi and Team
Fabrication: Kumar and team
Carpentry: Karupasamy and team
Lime Plaster: Rafiq and Team
Fabrics And Chair: House of Uli
Stone Bench: Made by Aala
Manufacturers: AALLS Enterprises
Source: ArchDaily
Firm’s Website Link: Earthscape Studio
Firm’s Instagram Link: Earthscape Studio
For Similar Project >> A Nuanced Fusion of Minimalism and Scandinavian style, this Home is a Testament to Balance of Simplicity
“Viraam,” a 4000 sq ft house design that embodies its literal translation: “a pause.” The vision is to create a sanctuary for relaxation, introspection, and to escape from the constant demands of daily life – an urban void for personal retreat. This 4000 sq ft House Design Unfolds Calm Lifestyle | Avani Mudra Design Reimagining […]
The facade of this Indian contemporary house design strikes a careful balance between solids and voids, with sculpted forms that reveal the inner workings of the space. The design plays with light and shadow, creating visual depth and intrigue from the exterior. The form resembles a cuboid that has been scooped out, while the outer […]
This 5 storey building takes inspiration from ancient haveli architecture. “Hailing from north India, the family held deep nostalgia for haveli, large residences with communal courtyards called chowks, projecting balconies called jharokhas and intricate brick or stone lattice screens called jaalis, vernacular to many western and northern regions of India,” said SJK Architects partner Vaishali […]
Set in the serene landscape of Nashik, the Dabholkar Residence by GDA is a home, embracing stone clad walls. Here, tradition and contemporary design exist in harmony. Designed to reflect the family’s deep connection to tradition and art while embracing the style of contemporary living, it is a space where architectural details, heritage furniture, artwork […]
This remodelling project aimed to revitalise a load-bearing house while respecting its original integrity and adapting it to contemporary needs. The design approach prioritised minimal structural intervention, allowing the existing framework to guide spatial reconfiguration. Careful consideration was given to preserving the load-bearing walls, which formed the backbone of the original construction. Openings were strategically […]
Redefining Indian temple architecture, the relocation of the existing shrine due to a new residential project presented an opportunity to design a space that seamlessly integrates tradition with contemporary needs. The given 400 sq. ft. site was envisioned not merely as a shrine to Lord Datta, a local deity, but as a vibrant community space, […]
Nestled within a 30×40 ft plot is the compact house design in Banashankari 6th Stage, Bengaluru. This residence for the Ellappans, reimagines traditional Indian living in a contemporary, spatially dynamic form. Designed for a family of three- Mr. Ellappan, his wife, and their teenage son- the house expresses a deep connection to vernacular roots while […]
This multi generational home is a testament to the ability of the design practice to blend aesthetic appeal with practical functionality. Keeping environmental sustainability and the welfare of the community at the forefront, Bhowal designed a home that was truly ahead of its time. His visionary approach and the Design Consortium’s expertise in providing a […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]
Pillar design is a cornerstone of architectural elegance, seamlessly blending structural support with aesthetic appeal. Our blog, “50 Best Pillar Design Inspirations,” celebrates this essential element, showcasing a variety of styles from classical Doric and Ionic to contemporary and avant-garde innovations. Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, or a design enthusiast, these pillar design inspirations […]