Project : Brick House

Location: Wada, District Palghar, Maharashtra

The Brick House, situated amidst rural settlements in Wada, near Mumbai, India, is a 2500 sq.ft. farmhouse set within hills and farms. The impact of the architecture of the structure is strong, always leading the viewer to a new observation, not allowing him to be complacent about the space which he occupies. An individualistic piece of architecture, the organic form emerges from the ground and flows into the skyline, following curved dips and peaks.

Each space flows into another along curved lines, leading into a seamless space held by the central courtyard. The observer begins his journey along the curved jali brick wall offering tantalizing glimpses of the interior, thus drawing him into dramatic compositions of light and shadows.

The stark contrast of a stone entrance wall against the exposed brick work lends itself to the realization of texture of both materials. As one enters into the structure, one is greeted by the soft sunlight falling to the central body of water and the coolness within the structure. The interior space is dominated by the two huge arches of brick and stone, opening to vistas of farms and hills. The furniture seems to rise and fall from the walls or floor dramatically leading one’s eyes to play of materials against each other.

Zoning of activities responding to the climatic conditions and views was achieved with the use of levels leading to a single yet distinct living room, kitchen and dining. This practice is an unusual one for an Indian household yet due to its location, the kitchen becomes the centre of the household. The levels further continue as a stone staircase onto the onto the upper private bedroom, connected by an open terrace. The built mass of the first floor bedroom provides shade in the courtyard due to its south-west position, thus keeping the central water body cool.