Fairly characterized as ornate, ostentatiously sustainable and opulent, the Nirvana Organic Farmhouse features an understated, rustic charm in contrast to the sharp natural shades of grey, brown and blue. Strategically located on the outskirts of Mumbai, the farmhouse perfectly integrates its environment in terms of its form and materials. With a simple, straightforward brief from the client to fabricate a 3BHK house out of natural materials, Mumbai-based Put Your Hands Together-BioArchitects (PYHT) decided to structurally constitute this bucolic retreat primarily by experiencing the landscape.
Shahveer Irani and Areen Attari, architects and founders, PYHT, theatrically built a pastoral material palette considering its highly individualistic space that takes on a life of its own. Irani tells Surfaces Reporter (SR) his thoughts and design process while impersonating this quiet retreat.
.jpg)
Top: Put Your Hands Together have structurally constituted this bucolic retreat primarily by experiencing the landscape; Above: Conceived in a traditional spatial arrangement where living spaces are encircling to an open courtyard, there is abundance of natural light and cross ventilation throughout the home.
A traditional spatial arrangement
Part of the Nirvana Organic Farmhouse, Nirvana Peace is one of the villas spread on the 50 X 60 ft farmhouse property, including a 3,000 sqft courtyard. Encompassing what was once a barren site with just one thorny tree, the property expands down to a small seasonal stream. The architects untouched the original route of the stream which continued to flow underneath the house, thereby sketching a pond for the ducks to swim.
Located on the scenic banks of River Ulhas, Nirvana Peace is enveloped around an exceptional courtyard. The architects decided to traditionally transform the property into a modern weekend home. “The core idea was to experience the landscape while being under the protective shelter of the home,” alludes Irani.
.jpg)
A spacious verandah meanders through the striking courtyard which exhibits the open living spaces and reaches beyond the pastured farm.
A spacious verandah meanders through the striking courtyard which exhibits the open living spaces and reaches beyond the pastured farm. The enclosed living room on the left leads you to the three bedrooms, while the kitchen and utility room are positioned on the right end of the quad. The distinct infrastructure of the courtyard conjoins the entire quarter by creating an internal, direct pathway to quickly access different areas of the villa. “The idea for the courtyard came from us, however, the requirement of a Jacuzzi came in later. The concept was to create a courtyard that provides natural forced ventilation and light into the spaces, and offer a visual connection across the different rooms,” he adds.
.jpg)
Limestone flooring and oxidised surfaces faultlessly complement the open living spaces.
A juxtaposition of traditional architecture and modern lifestyle
The outline of the space encourages interaction within the space through its earthy material palette. The architects have strived to achieve traditional building elements with a modern lifestyle. Regionally sourced black basalt stone forms the foundation of Nirvana Peace. Since the client emphasized the need for natural materials, PYHT used Mangalore tiles for roofing, which was further stimulated with pinewood insulation to act as false ceiling. Compressed stabilized earth blocks shape the walls of the villa. To keep the wind playful within the interiors, the courtyard has been conceptualized with expansive openings.
Every element of the house is designed keeping in mind the earthen hues. The picturesque landscape works as a background palette around which the architects have fabricated their artwork. Shades of green and blue have been integrated within the interiors juggling a playful tone of warm and cool.
.jpg)
Earth blocks are rammed over for the 12'' thick walls of the villa to address the climatic conditions such as extreme temperatures and torrential rainfall.
Nirvana Peace encourages a sustainable lifestyle. Solid, timeless, restored and recycled furniture assortment is arranged on kota flooring. The pillars in the courtyard are designed out of metal box sections. Diffused natural light allows the space to uniformly maintain luminosity within the house. With no rendering of plaster over the walls, it was difficult for the team to plan concealed wiring as any changes later would be visibly seen on the exteriors. “We had to be thorough with our planning. We overcome the challenge by going over the design until we routed electrical settings considering all the possible scenarios,” recollects Irani.
The bio-architects have honoured the sentiment of ‘using natural materials on the go’ at its every turn. Engulfed in nature, Nirvana Peace farmhouse caters to liberating experience city dwellers long for, courtesy architectural elements unifying to dole out the unmistakably vernacular panache.
.jpg)
Solid teak wood the louvered and panelled openings and shutters is an aesthetic yet practical decor intervention.
Project details
Project name: Peace – Nirvana Organic Farmhouse
Client: Vishal Achpilia
Location: Khadavli, Maharashtra
Area: 3,000 sq ft
Principal architects: Shahveer Irani and Wasim Noori
Design team: Architect Areen Attari
Civil: Pramod
Carpentry: Zainul
Contractors: Pramod, Zainul, Vikas Electrician, Thumbimpressions Collaborative and IPS plasters
Image courtesy: Riya Kartha
.jpg)
The requirement of a Jacuzzi came in after outlining the courtyard structure.
Materials
Flooring: Kota
Walls: CSEB
Ceiling: Pinewood
Lights: LED
Furniture: Wooden
.jpg)
The bed in the master bedroom attributes IPS plaster in the backdrop.
.jpg)
Every element of the house is designed keeping in mind the earthen hues.
About the firm
Put Your Hands Together is a bio-architecture firm that designs within the eco-system, engages with the community and builds with local and natural materials.
Architects and founder Shahveer Irani and Areen Attari