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
Visit: Studio Roots
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
Firm’s Instagram Link: Studio Roots
Firm’s Facebook Link: Studio Roots
For Similar Project >>> A Striking Brick House with Hints of Traditional Design and Essence of Reformed Living
Situated in the bustling residential neighbourhood of Koorkenchery, Thrissur, Dr. Lakshmi’s residence stands as a refined architectural response to a narrow 15.53 cent plot. The 4214.07 sq ft home is a seamless blend of modern traditional kerala house, with an Indonesian inspired grey white exterior that exudes sophistication. The design strategically employs linear planning, integrating […]
Imagine a home that breathes with the breeze, where sunlight filters through lush foliage, and the vibrant hues of nature are an extension of your living space. Tropical houses are architectural marvels; a profound dialogue between human habitation and the natural world, born from centuries of adapting to warm, humid climates. Far from rigid structures, […]
In the heart of Bangalore’s expanding peripheries, amidst a landscape of dry earth and scattered industrial activity, Elements of Nature emerges not just as a marketing and sales office but as an orchestrated experience in office design architecture—an architectural dialogue between structure, materiality, and the senses. Designed by Sneha Ostawal, founder of Source Architecture, this […]
Neo-Futuristic Architecture is an avant-garde movement that pushes the boundaries of design, technology, and sustainability. In India, this architectural style is gaining momentum, reflecting the nation’s aspirations towards innovation and modernity. This is the world of Neo-Futuristic Architecture, a dynamic and forward-thinking style that embraces innovation, technology, and sustainability to envision the cities of tomorrow. […]
Nestled in the vibrant yet serene cityscape of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, this Indore home on a 3,700 sq. ft. L-shaped plot is not just a dwelling but a composition of light, material, and emotion. With a construction area of 8,300 sq. ft., the home was completed in 2024 after two years of thoughtful design and […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]