Excerpt: The Mud House by Pranav Patel Design Studio is a small home that blends traditional rammed earth construction with modern design. The design creates a grounded, climate-responsive space with earthen walls that are not only visually appealing but also offer natural insulation. The design reflects simplicity, permanence, and precision, showcasing the use of sustainable materials to shape a warm, contemporary living space.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] The Mud House is a small home that blends traditional and modern architecture. It is located in Anand, Gujarat, between two important campuses — IRMA (Institute of Rural Management Anand) and NDDB (National Dairy Development Board). This peaceful area is known for its greenery and calm surroundings, making it a perfect setting for a nature-friendly home.
The house was designed for a couple and has two bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining area, and a living room — all on one floor. Since the clients love nature and wanted a home that feels close to the earth, they chose to build it using rammed earth construction.
This is an ancient method where layers of damp earth are tightly packed into wooden frames to form strong walls. These walls are not only beautiful but also help keep the inside of the house cool in Gujarat’s hot climate, thanks to their natural insulation properties.
Designing the house required very careful planning. Because the rammed earth walls are solid and permanent once built, all electrical wiring and fixtures had to be decided in advance and placed before the walls were completed. This process called for high precision and thoughtful decisions at every stage.
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