This Modern Mud House in a vulnerable ecosystem had to be a breathing edifice, born of the earth, slowly ebbing into the soil. Birds fly and make homes in lands far away. Vedanthangal is a chosen land for migratory birds. The untouched vegetation and aquatic plants maintain the bird sanctuary in Vedanthangal as one of the country’s oldest protected regions.
Editor’s Note: This Mud House is a Sculpture masterpiece in the form of a residence designed by VY Architecture Studio. As the name suggests, this house is a ‘living structure’ with its unique curved shell covering the central courtyard. By deliberately melding cultural aspects as well as modern architecture, this structure is more than a house; it is also a recreational space for the surrounding community. ~ Rajvi Dedakiya
This Modern Mud House is Designed in a Vulnerable Ecosystem | Vy architecture studio
A living home for living beings. The client’s story is that of a man caged in the walls of a city. Setting him free in this chosen land was our role as architects.
With reference to the indigenous construction practices of mud architecture and courtyard houses, our design approach was grounded in history and equally modern for the city dwellers to adapt.
The shell had to allow the gaze to penetrate the surfaces. Additionally, it bears witness of age and history on its skin and withholds the openness of the client in its layout.
Amid a cluster of family-owned houses, the north-facing rectangular site belongs to a borderless neighborhood with the only true boundary being the thinnai—a raised, covered veranda intrinsic to Tamil households. However, this space, where the family chit-chats with neighbours and feeds dogs is the heart of belonging.
The plan divides into three zones. The communal spaces—thinnai, living room, and courtyard—connect seamlessly, while the more private kitchen and bedrooms are arranged linearly to ensure visual continuity throughout. At the core of the house is a courtyard.
A wall curves through the volume of the courtyard and shelters the west from harsh sun. On the east, the curve extends to the roof, forming an open space to bask in the morning sun.
The curve, more than a sculptural element, is a play wall to climb up to the roof and lie back, watching clouds drift by. The curve connects the ground and the roof, creating a three-dimensional recreational area.
The perforations in the curve let the sun cast patterns on the earth-like oxide floor and shower rain into the courtyard. Additionally, the river rocks in the courtyard are mnemonic objects, reminiscent of the river flowing nearby.
The courtyard invites not just the family but also birds, insects, dogs, and cats, turning the home into a sanctuary for all. Here, the home celebrates the climate’s veracities—bare feet on cool, damp soil, raindrops from the open roof, stargazing at a clear blue sky—breathing life into the narrative.
Fact File
Designed by: Vy architecture studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: VAAZH
Location: Vedanthangal
Year Built: 2024
Principal Architect: Ar. Venkatesh & Ar. Yogalakshmi
Design Credits: Srinivasan & Ramesh Kumar
Photograph Courtesy: SYAM
Firm’s Website Link: Vy architecture studio
Firm’s Instagram Link: Vy architecture studio
For Similar Project>> This Six Bedroom House Design Offers an Experience That is Refined
The house incorporates elements of Persian design while adhering to a minimalist luxury motif. The concept is a deep journey with luxury as its language, seclusion as its promise, and functionality as its cornerstone. Known as the princess of Jaipur, it pirouettes in response to outside visual cues such as curves and smooth edges. A modern […]
The house showcases a modern three-story residence exemplifying contemporary architectural design through its clean lines, geometric volumes, and a balanced interplay of materials. The facade skillfully combines textured tile cladding, smooth plaster, and contrasting color blocks in neutral shades of gray, black, and earthy rust, adding visual depth and dynamism. Expansive glass panels framed in […]
House of Silhouettes is located in Navratan, Udaipur. The plot is a corner one facing north and west 60’x40′ with a built-up area of 6500 sq.ft., designed in contemporary modern architecture as an independent house at three levels, including terrace. House of Silhouettes Reflects Contemporary Modern Architecture | Shaunak Singh and Associates This contemporary residence […]
Nestled in the upscale neighborhood of Naranpura, Ahmedabad, Visamo is a south-facing NRI bungalow that redefines luxury modern bungalow design through a seamless blend of contemporary architecture and biophilic design. Spanning a 7,330 sq. ft. plot with 10,000 sq. ft. of built-up area, this residence is a heartfelt homecoming for a young couple returning to […]
The client envisioned a quiet contemporary residence within the dense urban fabric—a contemporary home style that balances modern aesthetics with a lived-in warmth. Functionality, spatial fluidity, and a strong connection with nature were prioritized. The home was to accommodate a multigenerational family, enabling both communal and private moments without compromising on light, ventilation, or spatial […]
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 […]
Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]
The door design for main door is a defining feature of any Indian home, embodying both style and cultural significance. In a country rich with diverse architectural traditions, the entrance to your home reflects not only personal taste but also cultural heritage. Whether you’re drawn to the intricate carvings of traditional Indian door designs or […]
Pillar design is a cornerstone of architectural elegance, seamlessly blending structural support with aesthetic appeal. Our blog, “50 Best Pillar Design Inspirations,” celebrates this essential element, showcasing a variety of styles from classical Doric and Ionic to contemporary and avant-garde innovations. Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, or a design enthusiast, these pillar design inspirations […]
This simple farmhouse design is a humble residence that responds to the climate and site. It is a fun fact that the house is both an inward and outward looking house at the same time. One of the USPs of the simple farmhouse design project would be that it connects well with the most playful […]