Houzz Tours
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
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.”
“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:
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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.
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