Design practice Put Your Hands Together – BioArchitects constructs Jalmanjar Farmhouse featuring a jali wall envelope in Ahmedabad, India. The residential project aims to optimize climatic efficiency through passive and active strategies suited to the region’s hot and dry conditions. The key design elements, including orientation, spatial configuration, material selection, jali envelope, and windcatchers, work in coordination to enhance thermal comfort while minimizing energy consumption.
Editor’s Note: “Constructed from earth and light, this farmhouse is a conversation between built form and landscape. The perforated Jali wall acting as a sculpted screen, playfully filters air, light, and shadows. Here, tradition and innovation come together, reminding softly of architecture’s ability to breathe in resonance to land.” – Anusha Sridhar
Jali Wall Becomes The Focus Element In This Farmhouse | Put Your Hands Together – BioArchitects
Situated on the periphery of a 12.5-acre site, the farmhouse is introduced by a perforated gable-end jali wall made of compressed earth blocks. Moreover, this outer layer reduces direct solar radiation while facilitating natural ventilation through integrated windcatchers.
The layout consists of two rectangular volumes housing the primary living and dining areas, positioned on either side of an open-to-sky courtyard. A passage and circulation core connect these spaces, extending vertically to accommodate two bedrooms and their adjoining bathrooms.
The jali wall defines intermediary spaces such as semi-open verandahs, balconies, landscape niches, service corridors, and an open-to-sky shower. Structural elements include 9-inch-thick load-bearing walls composed of compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB) combined with a hybrid steel and concrete framework. The thermal mass of CSEB aids in maintaining cooler interior temperatures, while the elevated steel-supported roof increases spatial volume, promoting improved air circulation and comfort.
Studio Put Your Hands Together – BioArchitects organizes a compact footprint to minimize land coverage, reinforcing the primary function of the site as a farm. Expansive north-facing windows in the living and kitchen areas are fully open to dissolving the boundary between interior and landscape, integrating the built environment with its agricultural surroundings.
Jalmanjar Farmhouse by Put Your Hands Together – BioArchitects, designed for climatic efficiency. The perforated jali wall reduces solar radiation while promoting natural ventilation. Further, structural elements include compressed stabilized earth blocks and a hybrid steel-concrete framework.
Moreover, the use of locally sourced earth blocks reduces the project’s environmental impact. Additionally, windcatchers integrated into the design enhance airflow within the farmhouse.
A passage and circulation core connect the primary living and dining areas. The jali envelope extends beyond the interior, defining semi-open verandahs and balconies. A balance of solid and perforated surfaces ensures thermal performance and privacy. Also, semi-open service corridors enhance functionality while maintaining privacy.
Moreover, the jali envelope extends beyond the interior, defining semi-open verandahs and balconies.
Fact File
Designed by: Put Your Hands Together – BioArchitects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Jalmanjar Farmhouse
Location: Ahmedabad, India
Year Built: 2024
Principal Architects: Areen Attari & Shahveer Irani
Photograph Courtesy: Amalgamate
Source: Designboom
Firm’s Website Link: Put Your Hands Together – BioArchitects
Firm’s Instagram Link: Put Your Hands Together – BioArchitects
For Similar Project >>> An Impressive 6800 sqm. Bungalow is the Definition of Blurring Boundaries Between Indoor and Outdoor Expanses
Modular houses are prefabricated structures built in modules manufactured and assembled on-site. They are built under controlled plant conditions, using the same materials, and designed to the same codes and standards as conventionally built facilities but in about half the time. As a result, this reduces the construction cost to 30% to 50% less than […]
Brick houses have been a cornerstone of architecture for centuries, celebrated for their durability, aesthetic versatility, and timeless appeal. In modern design, architects continue to explore innovative ways to incorporate brick into residential spaces, blending traditional materials with contemporary needs. While the design of each brick house is unique, there are several ways to incorporate […]
Architecture is not just a profession, it is an evolving journey of discovery, adaptation, and growth. At Elev8 2025, Architect Hiren Patel takes us on a journey into the design philosophy of Monkey Forest Villa. He explores the architectural elements that contribute to the home’s artistry. He also offers insight into the story of his design […]
Nestled in the serene embrace of a quiet residential colony, Charcoal Charm stands as a testament to modern architecture home innovation, seamlessly blending with its surroundings. Designed for a prominent businessman’s family, this 4BHK residence not only caters to the family’s need for privacy and comfort but also provides a rejuvenating retreat from the bustling […]
Plants for home garden, apart from making houses look more beautiful and inviting, add health and calmness to them. Having any kind of indoor plant, a herb plant or a flowering plant adds some value to your decor and the quality of the space. Always choose plants that will flourish in your space and climate. […]
The initial impression of this contemporary residence design is one of striking visual interplay, where bold architectural gestures redefine conventional aesthetics. A diagonally laid brick veil, its textured surface meticulously arranged to capture the shifting light throughout the day, becomes a dynamic façade element, casting ever-changing shadows that animate the exterior. Editor’s Note: “The yellow […]
Namana is an east-facing home situated on a compact 60’x50’ plot beside a serene vineyard. Designed for a family of three, the single-story residence emphasizes spatial fluidity, natural illumination, and a tactile material palette that evokes warmth and simplicity. Editor’s Note: “Namana, a quiet dialogue between light, material, and space, is a home that listens […]
“We want a modern oasis to retire to with our little boys on the weekends” was a brief given to us by our clients who are busy medical professionals with a very hectic life in the city. Inspired by the essence of prairie-style homes, the couple wished to cherish and recreate their favourite moments from […]
Nestled between the bustling residential and industrial edges of Bengaluru, Ihita stands as a bold architectural statement, embodying a harmonious blend of traditional Indian house design and modernity. The home challenges conventional urban residential design by prioritizing openness, natural light, and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Through the strategic use of large […]
When you walk into a room, what’s the first thing you notice in the interiors? The furniture, the walls, or the ceiling? Often overlooked, the ceiling plays a significant role in defining the ambiance of a room. If you’re looking to add some flair, sophistication, or a modern touch to your living room, false ceiling […]