Excerpt: Into The Wild, designed by Earthscape Studio, is a structure featuring a fluidic form created using “fold architecture” technique. The residence features ferrocement arches and mud plaster interiors, blending earthen architecture with sustainable materials. Its traditional Indian lime plaster coats floors and built-in furniture, adding a touch of luxury to the understated elegance of the design.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] With a verdant panoramic view of the mountains and deep woods of coconut and palm trees, the site lays plain with no special characters of terrain or landscape. Being the developer’s site, the surrounding environs of about 12 acres including the project site are plain.
This led to creating an interesting building which should respect nature. The architects started their design focusing on 25% on construction and 75% on nature. Speaking of sustainability, growing and planting trees is not only sustainable, how the building responds to nature is more important. So, they focused on the construction technique which will reduce the carbon emission. This self-sustaining structure folds and flows in a fluidic form and the architects call this technique as fold architecture. This self-sustaining 4 1⁄2 inch shell bends and flows with the series of arches with the layers of thappi plaster on the outside and mud plaster on the inside on both sides of the ferrocement.
Being a self-sustaining structure, it has no columns or beams. Mud is not a material palette, the beautiful thing in earthen architecture is not only about using the materials, but also about the artisans. Traditional lime plasters from India flow along smoothly on the floor and the furniture giving a luxuriant feel inside the spaces. This helps in reducing the temperature of about 3 degrees inside the space from the outside. 7½ft tall verdant landscape bends and hugs the structure with lush grown grass all around. Being the high humid area, this helps in reducing the temperature inside the spaces and also acts as a structural member for the structure.
This 2BHK farmhouse folds with surprises for each space. The circular transition brings in curiosity about the spaces. These folds and curves feel like entering a cave giving a wild experience. The windows open to the sylvan view on the outside from the lower level bringing the cold air into the space. Vent openings protrude out from the structure at each space for the hot air to escape creating a stack effect. The light play from each vent creates a dramatic feel inside the spaces. The linear opening at the bar gives a panoramic view of the tall coconut and palm trees. The central courtyard opens into the spaces with smaller and larger openings helping the natural light and ventilation into the space, creating a feel of open and semi open transition.
The architects believe that interiors are not about purchasing and arranging inside a space. All the furniture is in-built in accordance with the space. The bed, cushions and the fabrics are customized in accordance to its own shape and play creating an opulence feel. The bed, bar counter, pantry, seating are all done with raised finishes giving a lap of luxury at each space. The bathrooms are done with a rise finish which acts as a natural chemical free water proofing. The wood used in doors, benches, cabinets are collected from the scrap wood. The stone door handles and stone bench are carved at the site where the stones are sourced from the site. The green foliage covering the shell gives a garden feel on the outside and the home on the inside.
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