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 to a public open space. Before any construction began, the first step was to transform the degraded landscape to the east of the site into a thriving forest, using native plant species and adopting a multilayered planting approach. Drawing inspiration from traditional Maharashtrian houses, the design centers around a carefully planned courtyard.
Editor’s Note: “Rooted in soil and soul, this Nashik home is a quiet dialogue between climate and culture. Rooted in traditional Maharashtrian houses, it weaves together wind, water, and warmth. More than architecture, it is an evolving landscape, where nature is not outside the window but within every wall.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
This Dwelling Is A Contemporary Take On Traditional Maharashtrian Houses | RM+H Architects
Grown from the earth and heritage, this home showcases the essence of Maharashtrian heritage. Strategically placed at the western rear end of the site, the courtyard maximizes wind capture.
A small water body within the courtyard enhances evaporative cooling, improving the thermal comfort of the structure. The courtyard also acts as a large rainwater harvesting tank, channeling water towards the borewell to recharge the groundwater.
The primary habitable spaces are buffered by transitional areas that serve as overlaps between public and private zones.
Thoughtfully designed verandas provide thermal buffering, preventing direct sunlight from reaching the living spaces.
The ground floor prioritizes accessibility, with a bedroom for grandparents located on this level. The living area incorporates a double-height space to allow hot air to escape, while also establishing a visual connection between the two floors.
The floor plan avoids unnecessary programmatic segregation. The living, dining, and kitchen areas are interconnected and oriented toward the central courtyard.
Bedrooms are placed at the periphery to take advantage of natural light and views, while maintaining privacy. Service areas are compactly organized to minimize movement and streamline plumbing runs, ensuring efficiency throughout the home.
The first-floor features high ceilings to facilitate natural ventilation, with intentional gaps between the roof and walls to allow hot air to rise and escape. A library shelf on the western wall of the first floor incorporates a thicker wall to mitigate the harsh western sun. The covered terrace on the first floor is positioned at the eastern end, benefiting from the adjacent open space and the softer eastern sun.
The house features a raw finish in the flooring, using cement oxide mixed with titanium dioxide for a natural yet durable surface. The masonry construction employs a rat-trap bond, which not only conserves brick usage but also creates a cavity in the walls, improving insulation.
Landscaping plays a vital role, with permeable ground surfaces that aid in groundwater recharge. The planting strategy minimizes the need for maintenance and irrigation. The team trains climbers and creepers on structural elements, especially on the southern façade, to reduce surface temperatures.
The structure, along with its design, places a strong emphasis on enhancing thermal comfort while minimizing reliance on mechanical and electronic ventilation systems. By prioritizing natural ventilation and passive cooling strategies, the design fosters a comfortable and sustainable living environment. It also responds to the surrounding climate without excessive energy consumption.
Fact File
Designed by: RM+H Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: RMH House & Studio
Location: Nashik, Maharashtra
Year Built: 2023
Duration of the project: 2020-2023
Project Size: 3400 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Ar. Ritwik Butte, Ar. Hemant Butte & Ar. Megha Butte
Photograph Courtesy: Vikrant Dashputre Photography
Structure Engineers: Deltacom Pvt. Ltd.
Contractors: Mr. Santosh Beldar
Products / Materials / Vendors: Finishes – Lime Plaster / Construction Materials – Brick / Sanitaryware – Jaguar / Windows – Teak Wood / Furniture – Teak Wood / Flooring – Cement Oxide Flooring
Firm’s Website Link: RM+H Architects
Firm’s Instagram Link: RM+H Architects
For Similar Project>>> This Aesthetic Courtyard House With Lush Landscape Design Offers A Calm Aura To The Users
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, […]
Hotel Grand Shaurya is a landmark hospitality and a fine example of modern hotel design. The project envisioned and executed with a deep sensitivity toward spatial aesthetics, user comfort, and modern functionality. Rising elegantly across six levels (Ground + Five Floors), the building encapsulates a holistic approach to luxury, blending contemporary design with timeless sophistication. […]
This brutalist architectural style house perches along a scenic waterfront. ‘The House that Meets the River’ subtly emerges, blending into its verdant surroundings while gracing what could arguably be Thiruvalla’s most captivating locale. Embracing a brutalist architectural style, yet characterized by the elegance of simplicity in its choice of materials, this residence embodies a profound […]
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 contemporary courtyard house is designed within constraints that often give rise to the most creative solutions. This residence, nestled in a landlocked plot flanked by development on three sides, represents a unique architectural intervention that turns limitation into opportunity. The client’s vision was both unusual and ambitious: to create a twin house under one […]
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 […]
In this modern luxury home, courtyards spill into living spaces, and the lines between inside and outside dissolve into a seamless whole. This 17,800 sq. ft. bungalow in Anand, by Hiren Patel Architects, blurs the boundaries between landscape, architecture, and interiors, creating a home where nature isn’t just the backdrop but an integral part of […]
Nestled in the foothills of the Shivalik range, the Himalayas is our latest project, Ekasham — a private residence refurbishment and redevelopment project, spread across an area of 2177 sqm. The monolithic home, through its volumes, composed of old and new structures, merges into a singular silhouette evoking the presence of a monolith from which […]
This single-story sustainable home in Ezhupunna blends traditional Kerala architecture with tropical, eco-friendly design. Inspired by the “kullakadavu” concept, a central pond encourages family interaction while enhancing the landscape. This Ezhupunna Home is Rooted in Eco-friendly Design | Judson Associates Architects & Interiors Despite being near lakes and beaches, adding a pond improves year-round moisture […]
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 […]