The proposed house is in the village of Dhotre near Kopargaon, Maharashtra. This house started with studies on the rural economy of Maharashtra, where studies show a great fall in rural economic growth for many years. Farmers don’t get an assurance of earning after harvesting. This house handles an issue of rural economy and a house that aptly describes the phase, half is more – a house in progress, of development and promises.
Half is More – A House in Progress | Atelier Shantanu Autade + Studioboxx
Visit : Atelier Shantanu Autade + Studioboxx
Editor’s note : “Amid lush green fields stands a house where Architecture transcends hierarchy. Embraced by two triangular walls, the house springs to life, featuring a captivating central courtyard and rooms gracefully stacked one atop another. Its unconventional design brings a modern touch to the serene rural landscape with simplicity. While the minimalist shell is as inspirational as functional, it prompts a thought-provoking question: “Why is good affordable living lacking in India, especially in the rural sectors?” ~ Venessa Thomas (Co-Editor)
The proposed built form is an experiment to explore the idea of expanding the house. This resembles with farmer’s attitude, where he compromises on essential things because of uncertainty and tends to complete them partly.
The proposed house is composed of two built forms connected by a covered passageway. Out of these two, one block is built using the cost-effective experimental approach to construction which includes:
The house is a prototype capturing the realities of a lifestyle, at the intersection between traditional and modern, neither rural nor urban.
This project proposes strategies for an accommodative, adaptive, and innovative built form, following up research on incremental approaches to building, to demonstrate an apt rural response. This house looks closely at the life of an agriculturalist and narrates his idea of living life, “HALF IS MORE!!!!”
Talking about a proposed block shows a transition from a diverse social space to a singular private space which resembles the house form of old Havelis from the north to Chettinad houses in the south of India. As this house is meant for the agriculturalist, who seeks a pleural space that accommodates many things.
In the rural context, the threshold/ verandah plays an important role where it is connecting with the outside world. Verandah is a key kinetic space of the house because of its multiple uses throughout the daytime.
The courtyard in the house, allows the house to breathe and make way for daylight inside. It provides an additional room size in a cramped dwelling space, which is used for stacking grains, seating or talking with friends, sleeping at night, etc.
The opening of the courtyard from the top is covered with recycled glass which traps the heat at the top, while the parallel wall on both sides is perforated which allows heated air to flow. A tree placed in the court provides shade and keeps the space moist.
Beyond the courtyard, on the upper floor of the house have two bedrooms, which sit on top of the cooking, and sleeping space below. The bedrooms above extend to the terrace, which is open to the sky. This terrace forms an important plural space, especially for women to conduct various activities like making various dried foods, pickles, etc.
Terrace allows a cool breeze to enter the house during the night from the west. This house discusses the idea of a progressive rural house model with limited resources and passive techniques for climate control. The space-making exercise attempted to make a place for all, realizing the lifestyle of the owner.
Fact File
Designed by: Atelier Shantanu Autade + Studioboxx
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Half is More – A House in Progress
Location: Dhotre, Maharashtra
Year Built: 2023
Project Size: 2000 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Shantanu Autade & Rahul Dabir
Team Design Credits: Harish Niranjan, Pooja Pingle, Diganti Phadol, Lakshita Singh, Akhil Vardhan Bura, Sheetal Kashyap, Rucha Nargund & Simran Shaha
Photograph Courtesy: Abhijeet Ghospurikar
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: Atelier Shantanu Autade + Studioboxx
Firm’s Instagram Link: Atelier Shantanu Autade + Studioboxx
Firm’s Facebook Link: Atelier Shantanu Autade + Studioboxx
For Similar Project>>> This Aesthetic Courtyard House With Lush Landscape Design Offers A Calm Aura To The Users
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 […]
Imagine yourself on the terrace of your hidden mountain retreat, drinking a fresh cup of coffee as you admire the sunrise emerging from behind the rolling hills across the valley. This serene atmosphere is exactly what Hello Wood’s latest project, the Console House, is designed to offer. The Console House showcases modern architecture design while […]
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. […]
Located in the thriving city of Ichalkaranji, this is an example of luxury residences is a seamless blend of timeless elegance and modern sophistication. The striking exterior, adorned with brick and natural stone cladding, exudes warmth, character, and permanence. These rich textures create a visually captivating façade, harmonizing tradition with contemporary design while making a […]
Throughout history, stone has embodied permanence, artistry, and raw beauty in architecture. From the grandeur of Roman amphitheaters to the earthy elegance of modern villas, stone remains a beloved material for its strength, sustainability, and aesthetic richness. As design trends evolve toward natural materials, eco-conscious decisions, and biophilic design, stone has found new expressions — […]
The space adopts a biophilic office design and climate-responsive approach, creating a workspace that reimagines urban interiors by deeply embedding them with nature. The style is earthy, minimal, and modern with a strong contextual sensitivity to its location. Also, a lush canopy surrounds the bare-shell site on the first floor, allowing for abundant daylight and […]
The design started from an old house where a family of seven stood, one yet to be born. Hari & Sreelakshmi, Usha-Hari’s mother, Malathi, teacher, Hari’s grandmother, kids, Sankari, Paru, and yet to be born Sreebala. Four generations living in a 60-year-old house that had begun to show its age with dimly lit rooms, leaking […]
The clients’ requirement was to create a wellbeing centre at Oleander Farms, Karjat, Maharashtra, that would be a tranquil sanctuary for their visitors. Walking through a dense canopy of trees, hearing the soft chirping of birds, we slowly embarked on an expanse of a 2-acre of land that was both open yet heavily tree-laden. This […]
The thought was to create a space which would act as a formal real estate workspace in the daytime and a family retreat in the evening. By its name, as it is, ‘Leveled. This office with a garden is defined using levels, in terms of volumes, surfaces as well as edges. These levels are rationalized […]
Nirmay (निर्मय) reflects purity and holistic well-being. Envisioned as a quiet sanctuary amidst the noise of urban life, these courtyard villas offer a way of living that is calm, conscious, and deeply connected to the land. Rooted in sustainability and ecological harmony, the design responds to both nature and the everyday rhythms of its inhabitants. […]