search
  • This Indian Farmhouse is Retrieved from an Old Wada (Mansion) | Environ Planners

    The evolution of the first phase of this Indian farmhouse is retrieved from an old wada (mansion), set around a series of arches and preserved by the architect for over two decades.

    Editor’s Note: “The ruggedness of the stone, harmonized with the warmth of terracotta and wood, evokes a sense of comfort and serenity. Inspired by Nashik’s local architecture, this dwelling offers a truly refined escape. Embracing the 3Rs concept, the design masterfully balances traditional elements with modern necessities.” ~Simran Khare

    This Indian Farmhouse is Retrieved from an Old Wada (Mansion) | Environ Planners

    indian farmhouse

    Off the main city roads of Nashik, an inconspicuous little path branches off unexpectedly towards a dam and a dense clump of trees beyond. There is nothing to indicate to an average passerby what lies beyond this otherwise modest countryside.

    A Space For The Architect’s Family

    However, to those who know their way, this path only serves as a build up to the little hideout that lies beyond; a personal space for the architects’ family. For the first time visitor who trudges over the dam and makes way through the wooded surrounds, it is ambiguity at its best.

    Finally, the sloping stone walls of the Indian farmhouse emerge from the earth, beckoning the visitor inside.

    indian farmhouse

    Amidst Nature

    The sounds of chirping birds and humming bees, the slope of the sheltering roof and a touch of the cool terracotta floor under one’s feet create the perfect entrance transition and draw you into the courtyard at the heart of the space.

    The lotus court draws you in further with its tranquil aura. The court on either side craft a tapestry of light and shade. The utter simplicity of the plan doubles the impact.

    indian farmhouse

    The distinction generated by the roughness of the stones with the warmth of terracotta and wood, the sharp edges of gravel softened by the tenderness of natural leaves and the calmness of water; all add up to a innate sense of positivity and harmony.

    indian farmhouse

    The spaces framed by these arches are notable for the absence of formal walls, doors and windows, allowing for a seamless visual and physical connect between the covered and uncovered spaces.

    A Reflection Of Local Architecture

    Built on the principles of sustainable architecture and minimalist living, the design is a reflection of local architecture and conducive to the composite climate of the region.

    indian farmhouse

    A water harvesting pond connected to percolation pits and trenches in the bare ground helps recycle water on site. Solar panels finds its purpose in water heating and part of other electrical consumption.

    indian farmhouse

    Material Choice

    The stone used in the masonry work has been quarried from a well dug on the site itself. The otherwise arid and barren piece of land was transformed by planting a mixed culture of around 5000 medicinal, flowering and fruit bearing trees; giving life to a forest, creating a microcosm conducive to providing a home to birds and other organisms.

    indian farmhouse

    A building is like a growing organism. There is a constant growth; with time ideas and requirements evolve, which ultimately reflects in the architecture.

    A Weekend Getaway

    After nearly two decades, the farmhouse has transformed from a weekend getaway to a home for the architects’ family, with a new identity, a way of living closer to the nature – with trees, insects, snakes, dogs, cats and everything that comes along with it.

    indian farmhouse

    Luckily, around this period, the architect was able to procure the remains of another dilapidated Wada.

    The retrieved brackets, beams, columns, every piece of the wood were salvaged, assembled and reused while maintaining the design language of the original farmhouse.

    indian farmhouse

    To suffice the changing needs, there is an addition of modern touches with dressed basalt stone masonry and puff insulated sheet roofing laid over with PV cells.

    indian farmhouse

    The concept of 3R’s

    Reduce, Recycle, Reuse, formed the gist of this project while conserving and preserving materials from the two Wadas. A placid swimming pool rests outside, merging beautifully with the surroundings.

    indian farmhouse

    This farmhouse is symbolic of all the things the architects’ family loves and respects. The elements of nature – a piece of sky, touch of the earth, access to wind and the presence of water are all nurtured here.

    Functionally it is a multi-utility space, serving as a home to unwind and entertain. The space is designed to welcome all seasons and the bounties they bring.

    indian farmhouse

    Above all, it is a melting pot for different ideologies on art, architecture and life itself.

    Fact File

    Designed by: Environ Planners

    Project Type: Residential Architecture Design

    Project Name: A Farmhouse At Mahiravani

    Location: Nashik, Maharashtra, India

    Year Built: 2004 – 2021

    Project Size: 5920 Sq.ft

    Principal Architects: Ar. Sanjay Patil & Ar. Anagha Patil

    Team Design Credits: Ar. Jahnvi Sanap & Suyash Deshmukh

    Photograph Courtesy: Ar. Deepshika Jain, Ar. Atul Kanetkar, PHX India & Pritesh Patil

    Consultants for the Project: Structural consultants: Er. Jayant Bhinge, Er. Sanjay Ratnaparkhi and Er. Satish Patanka / Carpentry: Bhalerao, Rahul Kularia / Plumbing consultant: Er. Milind Shete / HVAC consultant: Er. Sachin Save / Site engineer: Er. Rajesh Patil, Er.  Rajesh Kadam

    Firm’s Website Link: Environ Planners

    Firm’s Instagram Link: Environ Planners

    For Similar Project >>> An Earthen House On A Forestry Farm In Coimbatore

    Nestled In An Ecological Environment, Eden Moss Tells A Story Of Purity | Urbane Ivy

    “Even within the smallest green lies all the purity and freshness of Eden.” This idea became the seed for Eden Moss, a home nestled in an ecological environment and imagined as a breath of freshness, evoking the scent of mud after rain, and seamlessly intertwined with nature while still embracing comfort and contextual charm. Nestled […]

    Read More

    Layered Architecture Brings Out The Cultural Memory Of The Client’s Vision | Tales of Design Studio

    In Tiruppur’s industrial heartland, where the rhythm of textile mills sets the tone, the layered architecture in this Villa offers a quiet counterpoint. Shaped by stillness, proportion, and cultural memory, the home reflects the clients’ vision for a contemplative retreat. Set on a square plot within a gridded residential layout, the residence embraces architectural restraint […]

    Read More

    Sanctum Is A Home Within Nature, Built With Nature | ma+rs

    Nestled in what was once a coconut orchard, Sanctum serves as a sanctuary for a retired couple. Their daughter & a feline companion join them to offer a tranquil environment for everyday goings-on. The site is a 60’ x 90’ portion of land with six coconut trees. Two teak wood & silver oak trees, each […]

    Read More

    Openness In Structure And Spirit Is The Soul Of This Urban Home | Archemist Architects

    Tucked into the calm, tree-lined lanes of Nagarbhavi in Bangalore, Avani Residence rises as a poetic response to the chaos of the city, a vertical sanctuary where light dances, materials breathe, and space unfolds in gentle rhythms. Designed by Archemist Architects for a family of four, the residence is a nuanced interplay between constraint and […]

    Read More

    This Bespoke Cafe Is A Bold Experiment In Layered Raw Textures And Sculpted Forms | UrbanNest Design Studio

    The designers envision Asterix Café as a flagship destination that challenges café design conventions. While coffee culture often associates with warm, pastel tones, Asterix dares to be different by embracing darkness as its defining aesthetic. Designed by UrbanNest Design Studio, the bespoke cafe is a bold experiment in creating a multi-functional, community centric space where […]

    Read More

    This Home With An Earthen Design Opens Out To Lush Farms Outside And Cosy Interiors Inside | Bhutha Earthen Architecture Studio

    Adorn, a home filled with earthen design and the laughter of a family of four, nestles in the peaceful neighborhood of Selvapuram, Coimbatore. “On one side, it shares boundaries with cozy family homes; meanwhile, the other side opens to expansive fields dotted with tall trees.” The fresh air scented with greenery sets a calming atmosphere […]

    Read More

    Open Courtyards And A Biophilic Design Connect The Outdoors With The Indoors | R+R Architects

    Situated in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Anandvan residence beautifully embodies biophilic design, fostering a deep connection with nature through its thoughtful integration of outdoor and indoor spaces through open courtyards. Open Courtyards And A Biophilic Design Connect The Outdoors With The Indoors | R+R Architects Location The location and surroundings played a significant role in determining the […]

    Read More

    The Chair Affair | India’s Iconic Furniture Design Competition 2025

    What if the simplest object in your home could turn into a design icon? Tectona Grandis Furniture and The Architects’ Diary come together to introduce the Chair Affair. This is India’s first-of-its-kind furniture design competition that dares architects and designers across India to rethink the most essential piece of furniture – the Chair. Beyond function, […]

    Read More

    This Kindergarten School In Mysore Is Redefining Classrooms By Opening Into The Nature | Baya Studios

    In a calm and serene residential area of Mysore, a 10,000 sq. ft. site with mature mango and coconut trees set the stage for Eden Kindergarten school. One half of the land was already occupied by an existing block, while the other half was shaded by the canopy of old trees. Instead of altering this […]

    Read More

    Farmhouse Designs in India: 15 Inspiring Styles To Know

    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 […]

    Read More
  • Our Sustainable Office Space Is A Reflection Of Our Studio’s Principles Of Reuse | Sampratyay 2.0

    Green Innovations: Using Green Floral Foam for Sustainable Arrangements