This vacation home was once an old house design in a small hamlet on the west coast of India, abutting the Arabian Sea. Intended as an oasis, this old house design is built on the family’s ancestral land in the heart of the Konkan belt. It allows them to withdraw to their roots in the countryside. The old house that stood on the site was built by the client’s grandfather. He hosted several summer vacations for the client during his schooling years. Abandoned in the early 1990s, it was then surrendered to surrounding trees. Thus, it quickly took over the derelict structure unapologetically over the next 30 years.
Editor’s Note: “Embraced by a sub-tropical setting of lush greens and a verdant of birds, this residence in Konkan is a collection of moments and architecture. Positioned near the seashore, it invites the gentle breeze to weave through its indoor and outdoor spaces. With red laterite stone, a pitched roof, and traditional architectural elements, this abode harmoniously blends the essence of nature with the artistry of built spaces.” ~Simran Khare
Old House Design Is In A Small Hamlet In The Indian Coast | The Architecture Company (TAC)
Desiring a slower pace of life, the young entrepreneurial couple based in Mumbai recreates their childhood memories on this property. At the same time, they wish to generate new ones with their young daughter.
The chick (sapodilla), mango, and jackfruit trees on the site held a special place in the heart of the client, making them an intrinsic element in the design brief. The site boasts a quaint sub-tropical setting with large numbers of birds, insects, and occasional monkeys visiting the fruit trees.
Being just about half a mile from the beach, the ambient sound of the waves crashing on the sandy shores adds to the charm of the tranquil setting.
The house is a collection of architectural and spatial moments connected through a variety of open and semi-open passages. The layout spreads across the site to accommodate the existing site trees, blurring boundaries between the building and its surroundings.
The house block splits to create a covered veranda that visually connects the lawn to the paar (seating) under the chickoo tree while allowing the cool sea breeze to circulate through the site.
The intention to create intimate spaces for each member of the family was the cornerstone in the planning of the house, which boasts 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a double-height living space, verandas, terraces, a kitchen with an outdoor dining area, a gym, and staff quarters.
Maison Rouge takes its name from the red Laterite stone used in its construction, which is indigenous to the region. From its inception, the project emotionally tie to the land it sits on today. The dismantling of the old dilapidated house and its components become the new building as a symbol of its transformation into a new form.
The stone from the walls fill the plinth, the wood from the joists are in columns, and the old terracotta roof tiles lay alongside the newer ones. The walls have laterite stone blocks from the neighboring quarries. Thin slices of the same clad the exterior walls to further cool and protect the structure.
While locally available Kota, Kadappa, Jaiselmer, and Shabad stone slabs were part of the house flooring, the waste from these repurpose as mixed multi-color mosaic floors in the veranda and the gathering deck. The pitched roof, with its large overhangs and intermediate verandas, not only protects the walls during the torrential rains of the Indian Monsoon but also shades the interiors during the hot summers.
The furniture, art, and décor collected by the clients during their travels decorate the walls of the rooms. The house boasts a mellow and earthy mood throughout its spaces, embracing the wabi-sabi vibe that makes them endearing.
Maison Rouge is a project that comes a full circle – from a bustling family home to abandonment, derelict and taken over by nature – and now reclaimed by the family as their own.
Fact File
Designed by: The Architecture Company (TAC)
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Maison Rouge
Location: Murud, Maharashtra
Year Built: 2023
Built Up Area: 5220 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Rohit Walimbe (Project lead), Manasvi Bachhav & Kulsum Tambawala
Photograph Courtesy: Syam Sreesylam
Project Leader: Rohit Walimbe
Team: Sneha Ravindran (project architect), Ruchi Pathak (Intern)
Manufacturers: AQUANT, Apolo, Eternia Windows, Jaquar, Jindal Steel, MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, Star Eagle, Ultratech
Source: ArchDaily
Firm’s Website Link: The Architecture Company (TAC)
Firm’s Instagram Link: The Architecture Company (TAC)
For Similar Project>>> A Climate Responsive Courtyard House In Kerala With An Earthy Palette And Natural Materials
Conceived as a dialogue between architecture and landscape in Alibag, CASAVIVA transforms the house into a sequence of spaces where nature becomes an integral part of everyday life. This Home In Alibag Is Conceived As A Dialogue Between Architecture & Landscape | SHROFFLEoN Design Brief Designed for a family seeking a calm and timeless residence, […]
Some homes begin with a drawing, and The Saffron Verandah began with an orchard. In the mango-growing landscapes of Shoolagiri, a quiet hamlet in northern Tamil Nadu, the land has settled into its own rhythm over generations. Rows of mature mango trees stretch across nearly three-quarters of an acre, their broad canopies tempering the southern […]
The house is conceived as a metaphor for the valley it inhabits. The design borrows the language of a bustling street skyline, stretching the home along a corner site so it frames the valley and its lake. Three linear bays, offset vertically and linked by corridors, open the plan to filtered western light and cross […]
The site is located in Ahilyanagar town of Maharashtra, with a design brief of 7,000 sq feet, while the house had to be designed for the hot and dry climate, which responds carefully to extreme temperatures, intense sunlight, and low humidity. The design focuses on reducing heat gain, improving natural ventilation, and creating comfortable indoor spaces with […]
“Pravah” — A House That Breathes is envisioned as the main concept of this home revolves around a fluid, light-filled home where architecture becomes a continuous experience of movement, air, and connection. Located in Pal Gamtal, Surat, the project is a residential redevelopment on a 1,850 sq.ft. plot within a dense urban fabric. The site, […]
Editor’s Note: There’s a quiet clarity in homes that are shaped by real, everyday needs. Alcove feels like a thoughtful response to just that, balancing openness with comfort in a setting rooted in tradition. Moving away from a dense, older home, this residence embraces light, air, and simplicity while still holding on to its Kerala […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
Architecture font choices go beyond style—they shape how your work is perceived. From portfolios to presentations, the right architecture font instantly communicates clarity, precision, and personality. As architects, we design not just with space but with every detail, including typography. Selecting a strong architecture font shows your commitment to visual storytelling and design consistency. In […]
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 […]
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. […]