Thane Houzz: This Ecologist’s Farmhouse Grows Out of the Earth
Local workmanship, native materials and built-in stone furniture make this home by The Vrindavan Project one with nature
Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar
30 June 2020
Houzz India Contributor. Internationally published architecture, design and art journalist. www.mangomonk.com
Houzz India Contributor. Internationally published architecture, design and art journalist.... More
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Madhu and Anil Bhatia, and their daughter Gayatri
Location: Ondhe, Maharashtra
Year built: 2014
Size: 200 square metres (2153 square feet); 2 bedrooms; 2 bathrooms
Architectural designer: Ranjeet Mukherjee of The Vrindavan Project
Photos by Monika Sathe Photography
Nestled in the heart of an 11-acre mango orchard is this environmentally aware farmhouse; its material palette notably dominated by resources native to the region. “The client is an ecologist from Mumbai, who drove a design language of contextually appropriate design and technology,” says Ranjeet Mukherjee, co-founder and principal architect of The Vrindavan Project. “The lack of locally available skilled masons in the area posed a challenge, so we took on the contractor’s role ourselves, working directly with villagers from the nearest settlement.”
Who lives here: Madhu and Anil Bhatia, and their daughter Gayatri
Location: Ondhe, Maharashtra
Year built: 2014
Size: 200 square metres (2153 square feet); 2 bedrooms; 2 bathrooms
Architectural designer: Ranjeet Mukherjee of The Vrindavan Project
Photos by Monika Sathe Photography
Nestled in the heart of an 11-acre mango orchard is this environmentally aware farmhouse; its material palette notably dominated by resources native to the region. “The client is an ecologist from Mumbai, who drove a design language of contextually appropriate design and technology,” says Ranjeet Mukherjee, co-founder and principal architect of The Vrindavan Project. “The lack of locally available skilled masons in the area posed a challenge, so we took on the contractor’s role ourselves, working directly with villagers from the nearest settlement.”
The main gate opens to a long, grass-covered walkway, flanked on the right by a rectangular swimming pool with a lawn on either side. The walkway leads to a gabled gazebo constructed of wood and roofed with Mangalore tiles.
Find an architect on Houzz to design your eco-friendly home
Find an architect on Houzz to design your eco-friendly home
“It serves as an outdoor living room and barbecue area, where one can spend quality time by the pool,” says Mukherjee.
Take a tour of these 8 gorgeous gazebos
Take a tour of these 8 gorgeous gazebos
A generous front verandah, with characterful earth walls and recycled doors and windows, sweeps across the front facade, leading into the home interior.
“The primary volume of this home has omitted the use of concrete altogether by way of a brick vaulted roof. Apart from the natural beauty of such a form, the vault provides for ventilation and illumination of the home. The contained spaces are naturally cooler, reducing electricity consumption over the building’s lifespan,” explains Mukherjee.
“The primary volume of this home has omitted the use of concrete altogether by way of a brick vaulted roof. Apart from the natural beauty of such a form, the vault provides for ventilation and illumination of the home. The contained spaces are naturally cooler, reducing electricity consumption over the building’s lifespan,” explains Mukherjee.
“There’s no foyer or passageway,” Mukherjee continues. “We wanted to avoid wasting any negative space.”
Instead, the main door leads directly into the living room, where an L-shaped stone-and-brick seating platform zones the area reserved for guests.
“Aside from some basic cane stools and reclining chairs, there was no need to purchase any furniture. We built in the necessary elements in a bid to maximise functionality,” he adds.
Paint: Asian Paints
Instead, the main door leads directly into the living room, where an L-shaped stone-and-brick seating platform zones the area reserved for guests.
“Aside from some basic cane stools and reclining chairs, there was no need to purchase any furniture. We built in the necessary elements in a bid to maximise functionality,” he adds.
Paint: Asian Paints
Beyond the living room is the open kitchen, where a built-in dining counter subtly partitions it from the living area. Handmade ceramic tiles define the worktop backsplashes, injecting a touch of brightness into the solid-wood colour scheme of the cabinetry.
“The architecture is environmentally aware and informed by sustainable materials, local craftsmanship, low-impact forms, traditional technology techniques and handcrafted details,” says Mukherjee.
Tiles throughout the house: natural stone, handmade ceramic tiles; sofas: built in with stone and brick; dining platform: built in stone concrete slab; dining chairs: hand-woven cane stools
“The architecture is environmentally aware and informed by sustainable materials, local craftsmanship, low-impact forms, traditional technology techniques and handcrafted details,” says Mukherjee.
Tiles throughout the house: natural stone, handmade ceramic tiles; sofas: built in with stone and brick; dining platform: built in stone concrete slab; dining chairs: hand-woven cane stools
Situated to the right of the main entryway is the master bedroom. Here, a built-in stone bed, echoed by an exposed brick barrel-vault ceiling, takes centre stage, while a study table and cupboards, also completely built in, with stone, glass and wood detailing, complete the grassroots decor.
Classic louvred doors lead to a private verandah, providing easy access to the rear garden.
Furnishings in the bedroom: locally available linens
Yearning for a true-to-the-earth home? Here are 8 vernacular elements you’re sure to love
Furnishings in the bedroom: locally available linens
Yearning for a true-to-the-earth home? Here are 8 vernacular elements you’re sure to love
The room leads into a walk-in closet, outfitted with a built-in stone dressing table. The space provides a deliberate pause between the bedroom and the en-suite bathroom.
Solid, old-style wooden doors lead into a master bathroom steeped in a mustard-and-white palette. Inside, a monolithic granite wash basin sits juxtaposed with a backsplash of natural Jaisalmer stone tiles, while inverted terracotta bowls set into the ceiling slab here, as in other parts of the house, act as earthy ornamentation.
Here are 7 natural stones that can add colour to any room
Here are 7 natural stones that can add colour to any room
“They help minimise the concrete content. The earthen bowls conjure a waffle effect in the slab, which is aesthetically unique, and drastically reduces the dead load of the structure,” says Mukherjee.
The bathroom opens into an external open-to-sky courtyard equipped with anti-skid flooring and an outdoor shower facility.
Wish you could shower under the stars? Here are some inside-outside bathrooms to fuel your imagination
The bathroom opens into an external open-to-sky courtyard equipped with anti-skid flooring and an outdoor shower facility.
Wish you could shower under the stars? Here are some inside-outside bathrooms to fuel your imagination
The master bedroom opens into a square verandah, buttressed by wooden columns. The built-in seat double-hats as an outdoor daybed.
“The verandah overlooks the rear garden, making for the ideal sundown sit-out spot,” says Mukherjee.
“The verandah overlooks the rear garden, making for the ideal sundown sit-out spot,” says Mukherjee.
Read more:
Bangalore Houzz: This Penthouse is a White and Wood Wonderland
Mumbai Houzz: Grey Ceilings & White Walls Expand a 66-Sq-M Flat
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
Bangalore Houzz: This Penthouse is a White and Wood Wonderland
Mumbai Houzz: Grey Ceilings & White Walls Expand a 66-Sq-M Flat
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
Related Stories
Architecture
Hyderabad Houzz: Allu Arjun's Home is Anything But Conventional
Aamir & Hameeda Associates create an exhilarating minimalist weekend getaway for the Telugu actor
Full Story
Indian Homes
Mallapuram Houzz: Kerala Architecture Finds Modern Expression
Large sloping roofs, wooden panelling and Mangalore tiles give a trad spin to this modern home by Thought Parallels
Full Story
Indian Homes
Mumbai Houzz: How to Be Stylishly Minimal in Maximum City
A Breach Candy apartment by reD architects is all things minimal while evoking understated luxury
Full Story
Indian Homes
Delhi Houzz: This Rooftop Barsati Has a Front-Row View to the Stars
The open-to-sky courtyard by Shreya Krishnan Design is an idyllic sit-out that mirrors the moods of the day
Full Story
Indian Homes
Actor Alia Bhatt’s Mumbai Pad Is an Eclectic & Whimsical Wonderland
Outfitted in hushed hues, brick finishes and even a tea bar, this home designed by Richa Bahl is a dreamy haven
Full Story
Indian Homes
Mumbai Houzz: This Parisian-Chic Flat is Home to a Newly Married Couple
Jason Wadhwani Design brings in European charm with voguish furniture, elegant wall moulding and marble flooring
Full Story
Indian Homes
Goa Houzz: A Heritage Structure is Restored to a Riverside Bungalow
A dilapidated 19th century heritage building undergoes a luxurious metamorphosis
Full Story
Houzz Around the World
Houzz Tour: A Modern Extension Brings Together the Old & the New
A contemporary extension, purposely designed in contrasting materials, unites the old with the new in this family home
Full Story
Indian Homes
Gurgaon Houzz: Local Craftsmanship Spells Luxury in This Home
Native materials tell a riveting story in this self-designed home by NIVASA owner Saba Kapoor
Full Story
Indian Homes
Bengaluru Houzz: A Dreamy Penthouse With a Contemporary Twist
By Krita Raut
Crisp design & elegant inserts gives this home designed by Praxis a mesmerising appeal
Full Story
Thank you for this positive feedback Lokabhiram :-) Wishing you all the best.
An honest to goodness home! The gazebo reflected in the pool is a wonderful entry point to the house and cleverly camouflages the house, giving it privacy. A floor plan is much needed As i could not visualise the house in its entirety.
Thank you Preeti 🙂🙏