This rustic farmhouse for a family aims at re-defining tradition to blend in modern thought. Make it contemporary but traditional, was a brief given to the Architect by the client to redesign and build a century-old farmhouse sprawling across 3500 square feet on a 3-acre site in Morbe, Panvel.
Editor’s Note: The redesigning of this century-old farmhouse redefines modernity with its traditional construction ethos. Standing on the strong principles of Vastu, with its intricate brick and stone work along with the playful flooring patterns, this house is a nostalgia in built form. ~ Rajvi Dedakiya
This Century-Old Rustic Farmhouse Embraces Classic-Modern Design | Suyash Mankame Design Studio
The creation and planning of the overall structure is such, that it offers the views which are inward as well as outward-looking. Furthermore, using natural materials (bricks, laterite, Kotah and basalt stone) in a seamless joinery in a free-flowing framed structure maintains the magnificence of the existing outdoor courtyards and towering trees.
Intentional design decisions allow an easy flow, openness and nature play to avoid barricading the space formally. The four-bedroom house topped by Mangalore-style traditional roofs has been built on the principles of nine auspicious Vastu squares. Moreover, a double-height space and a square cut-out at the top of the East entrance ensure a visual connection to the sky.
The courtyard is the heart of this open plan. An earthy-painted wall with a pristine four-foot-wide monumental mural above this stepwell courtyard casts a spell.
Jaisalmer stone is used in the sit-out area which is the soul of the space housing 50 people in one go. The circular appeal of the four columns that flank the area makes the design lighter on the eye.
The first entrance opens up from the north into the living room. An eight-standard wooden panel door replete with inlays and copper motifs usher you in.
A purposeful lowering of the northeast corner of the house makes it less heavy according to Vastu and a signature Champa tree is added to soften its overall appeal.
The terracotta jali mandir is made in the same northeast corner. There are no windows but couple of chamfered edges on the wall give a wider view.
Furthermore, the folding door highlights the light and space of the bedroom which opens into the step-down verandah. The incorporation of pergola seating while constructing this space connects the three rooms on the ground floor to a plinth that leads you to the farm.
The surprise red comes in the form of this staggered staircase that leads to a terrace comprising outdoor sitout areas and a bedroom. A headroom below the mid- landing of the first flight (made up of RCC and Jaisalmer stone) cleverly hides the utility area.
The mid-landing opens into a tall farm-facing window and becomes a potential sit-out area. The use of a thin sheet of 8 mm MS plate for the second flight merges seamlessly with the natural view, making the flight appear lighter. Furthermore, half-inch square bars used for the railing provide openness and an element of modernity and the design takes freestanding walls up to the roof to form a semi-open sitout, flanked by a lush natural landscape.
The look and appeal of this rustic farmhouse cohesively display the use of traditional materials like Khuntya and Konadya (niche hangings) while maintaining a contemporary design language.
Fact FileDesigned by: Suyash Mankame Design Studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: ‘Suryangan’- The courtyard house
Location: Post Morbe, Panvel, Maharashtra
Year Built: December 2024
Project Size: 3350 Sq.ft
Project Cost: 1.25 Crore
Principal Architect: Ar. Suyash Mankame
Team Design Credits: Ar. Suyash Mankame, Ar. Sai Malvankar, Ar. Jidnyasa Mhatre & Ms. Madhura Joshi
Photograph Courtesy: Anuja Kambli
Contractor: Deccan Infra- Mr. Sanjay Bhoir
Structural Consultant: Vikrant Mate & Associates
Carpentry: Mr. Arpan Sharma
Vastu Consultants: M/S. Aakrutibandh- Ms. Aarti Shukla, Mr. Vishwesh Natu
Skylight Vendor: Mr. Amol Raste
Interior Styling: Studio BWB
Content Writing: Ms. Preeti Kulkarni
MS Fabrication: Yash Engineers
The Firm’s Website Link: Suyash Mankame Design Studio
Firm’s Instagram Link: Suyash Mankame Design Studio
Firm’s Facebook Link: Suyash Mankame Design Studio
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