Bombay is a tough city in which to build anything of real reckoning. The rapid and random development of the city continued from the late 1970s, making thoughtful design a challenge. Amidst this chaos, the terracotta facade of this home emerges as a striking element.
Editor’s Note: “With terracotta as the star element, this residence in Mumbai is a testament to thoughtful yet climate-friendly design. Apart from offering a striking visual appeal, the facade depicts a deep connection with nature with pockets of greenery popping out of the concrete facade. ‘SARVASVA’ rightly conveys the users’ emotions and personal choices in an otherwise concrete jungle.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
Sarvasva Integrates Terracotta Facade Into Bombay’s Evolving Urban Chaos | SPASM Design Architects
We were approached by a family that saw one render on our website, an unbuilt idea. They aspired to live in a vertical home; the plot they bought was small but on a lovely leafy East Bombay inner street, with the VJTI campus across, which would remain low rise for the foreseeable future.
We want to change our city for the better. Our contributions have to be authentic, climatically sensitive, and of sound build quality.
Sarvasva, the word literally means, ” my precious world “, named by the family. The name aptly conveys their emotions to our work. The build is completely made of terracotta panels as a second skin.
We liken the curious jagged eye-like cut in the otherwise pristine vertical cuboid to how an Indian sari-clad lady looks out of her veil. The view frames the unimportant edit. Greenery laces the vertical void. An attempt to make the connection between life and nature.
A natural response of red earth and green in an otherwise concrete jungle. We hope to steer architecture in our maximum city to a natural, endearing way to urban life.
Fact File
Designed by: SPASM Design Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: SARVASVA Building
Location: Mumbai
Year Built: 2024
Built Up Area: 20000 Sq.ft
Design Team: Sangeeta Merchant, Aishwarya Kelshikar, Akanksha Dalvi, Divyesh Kargathra, Nafees Ansari, Sanjeev Panjabi
Photograph Courtesy: phxindia
Structural Consultants: Rajeev Shah & Associates
MEP Consultants: Econ Pollution Control Consultants
Civil Contractors: CMG Construction
Landscape Consultants: Professional Landscape Designs
HVAC Systems: Hi Tech Aircon
Façade Installation: Ved Enterprises
Carpentry: Shree Satyam Woodwork
Electrical Contractors: Ram Electrical Contractor
Painting: Pandey Works
Civil Contractor: Rameshwar Works
Swimming Pools: Samunder Pools
Automation System: Yograj Services
Av Consultants: Sound Decisions
Metal Fabrication: Chinna Swammy Welding Works
Window Consultant: Vitrum Windows
Manufacturers: BoConcept, Flexform, Wienerberger, Alstrong, B&B Italia, Ditre Italia, Herman Miller, Hybec Lights, Jaipur Rugs, Living Divani, Loomcrafts, Poliform, Poltrona Frau, Porada, Vitrum
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: SPASM Design Architects
Firm’s Instagram Link: SPASM Design Architects
For Similar Projects >> This Village Farm House Design Connects the Inhabitants With Their Roots
In a landscape where aspiration quietly waits, Granthalay emerges as a circular building and sanctuary for learning—gathering people, knowledge, and place into a shared civic moment. Granthalay is conceived as a civic institution that extends beyond the conventional idea of a library, responding to the acute lack of educational and community infrastructure in the district […]
A dilapidated old manor house in Jaffna peninsula, with warped roof beams, warped door windows and many structural defects were presented to the architects for refurbishment- by clients- to be refurbished as a retirement home for themselves who were returning to Sri Lanka after escaping to overseas due to the 25 years old North East […]
This residence is a sincere exploration of how architecture can remain simple, climate sensitive, cost-effective, and emotionally grounded, without compromising on spatial quality or design intent. Conceived as a 3BHK modest home for a small family, the project stands as a testament to what is possible when thoughtful planning, craft-oriented construction, and material intelligence come […]
Design, when it emerges as a living tapestry, turns the experience of living into a vibrant everyday narrative. Baldota House in Alandi, Pune by ARCHOS accommodates three generations under a single roof in the area spanning 7500 Sq. Ft. Spearheaded by the family’s desire for a generous space and a theatrical essence along with balanced […]
Few homes are celebrated for their iconic interiors, while some are celebrated for their open layouts. True to its unique context and subtleties, this home with a monochromatic palette, designed by Ar. Saumya Khanna & Ar. Sudhir Ambawata Co – founders & principle architects of SSDA Architects brings the essence of volumetric design and a […]
Adopting sustainable living today, both in design and daily life, is crucial for reducing our environmental footprint and preserving resources for future generations. In the design of this bamboo pavilion, this means using eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient technologies, and creating spaces that harmonize with natural surroundings. In daily living, sustainability involves mindful consumption, reducing waste, conserving […]
Tucked into the lush landscape of Thiruvananthapuram, Aashiyana is a residence that balances context, climate, and craft. Designed by architect Srijit Srinivas, this bungalow is conceived as more than a tropical retreat-it is a spatial journey where bold colour, filtered light, and thoughtful materials orchestrate a distinctive atmosphere. Nestled Amidst Lush Landscape Aashiyana Balances Craft […]
Situated on a compact 1200 sft south-west corner plot, this residence was conceived as an inward-looking sanctuary for a family of four — a home that balances privacy and openness, light and enclosure, within the dense urban fabric. This Residence Was Conceived As An Inward-Looking Sanctuary For A Family Of Four | The Insideout Studio […]
Project 1374 is located in one of the plotted developments in the north of Bangalore, characterized by well-demarcated plots, open spaces, spacious roads, and organized infrastructure. Trees flank the wide streets, dividing the plots with dense canopies offering shaded avenues. Abutting the plot stood a cluster of trees- a quiet presence. We borrowed these trees […]
‘Roots’ was an experiment to build sustainably but not confer to the design language typically associated with sustainable buildings. This residential project re-considers the expression of sustainable architecture through a minimalist and materially grounded lens. Located on a 4,000 sq.ft. plot, the designers conceived the house for a family of three and their pet, organizing […]