Editor’s Note: Amid the sprawl of the Western Ghats, Studio Roots has erected a structure that becomes one to the nature surrounding it. Not only has the studio so consciously interpreted the term ‘blurring the boundaries’, but there is a certain sense of mindful belief that is reflected in the built spaces. It has been weaved with a core value carried forward to planning a perfect escape. ~ Nishal Sevak

Set amidst the Sahayadris, the Weekend home at Maale sought to explore architecture in a hilly terrain for a limitless open space. The context presented an enchanting site with a 100 acres farmland. For the best viewpoint, a spot of an acre was chosen carefully – with Mulshi Dam backwaters at front and a hill at the rear. An attempt to create enclosures within nature by blurring the boundaries in the built-scape, the design weaves through spaces that redefine the idea of courtyards.  Perceived as an unconfined set of spaces; an exposed brick wall winds through the three major independent built units: a pavilion, library, and a bedroom.

An Attempt to Create Enclosures Within Nature by Blurring the Boundaries in the Built-Scape | Studio Roots

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Concept : Conventional Built & Open Relationship: Spaces are defined by their boundaries. One gets a definite sense of ‘entering’ by crossing into the enclosure. Thus becoming a spectator to the ‘outside.’ (Illustration 1) 

Inserting Green In Builtscape: Spaces like courtyard houses effectively bring nature within the enclosure. In this case, the open space inside serves as a connection between zones of the enclosure while being a separate entity from the landscape outside. (illustration 2) 

Built Interspersed In Open: The contours of Maale were a blank canvas for us to paint our idea into. A design that does not abide by the concept of boundaries. (illustration 3)

Establishing relationships within The Environs: The site engages a pavilion, the main celebration area, and an elevated bedroom and library unit. To step into this weekend, home is to step outside of our conventional idea of a house. A space unbound allows one to navigate within open spaces. (illustration 4)

A continuous exposed brick wall leads one right through the entrance like a thread that weaves the independent built forms while revealing glimpses of limitless open space. (Illustration 5) 

The Design:

The Courtyard that binds: As one explores the indoors, each unit separately opens up the vista in a most dramatic manner while simultaneously the flanked sides engage one into the courtyard that binds together all these masses.

Purity In Material Exploration: Staying true to nature became the key determinant in pursuing a purist approach through material expression. Composite structures (Exposed R.C.C., Steel and Glass, basalt masonry, free-standing exposed brick walls) were devised to explore this idea further.

Structural Exploration: The main entity of the slab is a beamless and column free of 135.28 sq. m. with an overhang of three meters on all sides, giving a buoyant effect. The slab tapers upwards along the projection, dispensing a visual lightness to the structure.

A ‘chevron pattern’ was used as a binding element in key materials- concrete scaffolding, granite flooring, or teakwood furniture. Thus, the concept of disjunct built interspersed with nature with a purist expression and simplicity blends into the quaint verdure of the Western Ghats. 

Reminiscent of ‘Yugen’: a Japanese concept about a deep awareness of the universe triggered by the profound emotional response to the spatial environment.

Fact File

Designed by: Studio Roots

Project Type: Residential Architecture Design

Project Name: Weekend Home at Maale 

Location: Pune, Maharashtra

Year Built: 2022

Project Size: 4305 Sq.ft

Principal Architect: Umesh Wakaley

Project Lead: Suraj Sanghvi

Architect: Shraddha Adhikari

Text: Prachi Wakaley

Client: R.B. Kunkulol

Photograph Courtesy: Atul Kanetkar

Source: Archdaily

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