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Architects: Studio Roots
- Area: 400 m²
- Year: 2022
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Photographs:Atul Kanetkar
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Manufacturers: Grohe, Aluworkz, Gaia Pottery, Hybec Lights, Oorja Lights, Radha Krishna Bricks, Studioworks, Toto
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Lead Architect: Umesh Wakaley
Text description provided by the architects. Set amidst the Sahayadris, the Weekend home at Maale sought to explore architecture in a hilly terrain for a limitless open space. The context presented an enchanting site with a 100 acres farmland. For the best viewpoint, a spot of an acre was chosen carefully – with Mulshi Dam backwaters at front and a hill at the rear. An attempt to create enclosures within nature by BLURRING THE BOUNDARIES in the built-scape, the design weaves through spaces that redefine the idea of courtyards. Perceived as an UNCONFINED SET OF SPACES; an exposed brick wall winds through the three major independent built units: a pavilion, library, and a bedroom.
Concept :
- Conventional Built & Open Relationship: Spaces are defined by their boundaries. One gets a definite sense of 'entering' by crossing into the enclosure. Thus becoming a spectator to the 'outside.' (Illustration 1)
- Inserting Green In Builtscape: Spaces like courtyard houses effectively bring nature within the enclosure. In this case, the open space inside serves as a connection between zones of the enclosure while being a separate entity from the landscape outside. (illustration 2)
- Built Interspersed In Open: The contours of Maale were a blank canvas for us to paint our idea into. A design that does not abide by the concept of boundaries. (ENCLOSURES WITHIN NATURE.) (illustration 3)
- Establishing relationships within The Environs: The Site Engages a Pavilion, the main celebration Area, and an Elevated Bedroom and Library unit. To Step into this weekend, home is to STEP OUTSIDE of our conventional idea of a house. A space UNBOUND allows one to navigate within open spaces. (illustration 4)
- A continuous Exposed Brick Wall leads one right through the Entrance like a thread that weaves the independent built forms while revealing glimpses of limitless open space. (Illustration 5)
The Design:
- The Courtyard That Binds: As one explores the indoors, Each Unit separately opens up the vista in a most dramatic manner while simultaneously the flanked sides engage one into THE COURTYARD THAT BINDS together all these masses.
- Purity In Material Exploration: Staying true to nature became the key determinant in pursuing a purist approach through MATERIAL EXPRESSION. Composite structures (Exposed R.C.C., Steel and Glass, basalt masonry, free-standing exposed brick walls) were devised to explore this idea further.
- Structural Exploration: The main entity of the slab is a BEAMLESS AND COLUMN-FREE SPACE of 135.28 sq. m. with an overhang of three meters on all sides, giving a buoyant effect. The slab tapers upwards along the projection, dispensing a visual lightness to the structure. A 'chevron pattern' was used as a binding element in key materials- concrete scaffolding, granite flooring, or teakwood furniture. Thus, the concept of ‘DISJUNCT BUILT’ INTERSPERSED IN NATURE with a purist expression and simplicity blends into the quaint verdure of the Western Ghats.
Reminiscent of 'Yugen': a Japanese concept about a deep awareness of the universe triggered by the profound emotional response to the spatial environment.
