Organic Architecture Illustrating Geometry and Sustainable Materials

• October 3, 2024
• By: Ar. Priyanshi Shah
• INFLUENCERS

Located in Panvel, this organic architecture of the house was designed by Ar. Mahesh Naik reveals the tale of construction framed in geometry, organic form and sustainable materials. The dwelling serves as a country home for Mr. Alreja and his family who primarily live in Mumbai. The 20-acre site is situated at the foothill of Matheran Hills. Organic architecture is more intrinsic by nature as it is based on ideas derived from a holistic approach. It echoes the philosophy of evolving in response to context and interaction with surroundings. In organic architecture “Mother Nature” becomes the prime feature. The nature of a site, topography, climate, material used, and the nature of intention – all inspire its built form. 

Organic Form of House 

The idea was to stitch the house ( the Man ) with the three attributes-  the huge towering mountain : the Sun rise : the Moon. This led to a  sacred knot - a Triskelion geometry for the house. This geometrical system enables the house with more surface area, giving a maximum 360 degree view of the surrounding mountain. The requirement of the program together with this unique triskelion geometrical system in response to the site context and the climatic condition with the minimal natural material palette , generated the Form of house from within. The external appearance of the house is the natural result of the process. Thus the house Form expresses a highly specific relationship to the site and the client's program.

Site Context 

The site drops 110 feet from the top of the drive to the water edge. This countryside farmhouse consists of a six- bedded house, surrounded by a common restro, glamping area, swimming pool, service block, staff quarters, water reservoir, a large meadow, sacred groove, and wild untouched woods on the clift till the river edge.

Sacred Triskelion Geometry

At the heart of the house is an ample light-filled triangular atrium, around which the whole house revolves, other spaces extend outward in three directions towards nature forming a sacred triskelion geometry to get a maximum vista of the surrounding mountain. Thus this house exhibits both introvert central space and extrovert spaces at the periphery extending outward and merging into nature.

Spatial Layout 

These 6 bedded country houses have 3 bedrooms, a pantry, and living space on the ground floor and 3 bedrooms on the first floor. Each bedroom has two triangular balconies with a compact, yet dynamically angled bathroom built adjacent to it. The house opens into a massive deck on the east side and is well-shaded by its mass during peak afternoon hours. The pavilion at the edge of the deck provides shelter and a panoramic view of the Matheran mountains with the changing backdrop of rising sun and moon. From the deck one can excess below to the swimming pool area and glamping site. The cantilevered sloping roof on the three sides of the house shields the structure from the vagaries of the weather.  The rich arch openings made with M.S. hollow box pipe and clear glass allow plenty of natural light, merging the house with the surrounding landscape.

Material Palette - Red, Beige and Black 

To achieve simplicity and bucolic feel ,a minimal natural material palette was decided. Black basalt stone foundation, earth red bricks for a wall, black china mosaic roof, kota stone flooring with black china mosaic border along the wall, yellow Jaisalmer stone for the central staircase, beige shahabad stone for deck, black river sand finish granite stone along with black basalt stone walls for toilet became the palette for the house. Color of the material - red , beige and black became the central theme .

Spaces Within the Landscape  

To increase green cover of the property, more than  2000 trees were planted over a span of three years during  house construction. Indigenous plants were preferred for plantation as they require less maintenance and even have medicinal properties. The landscape around mountain dust has been kept random and raw to retain a natural feel. Various earth mounts have been placed strategically to control the scale of the house  and achieve house privacy from outside, as well as it depicted as a miniature mountain mimicking the matheran hills. The driveways and pathways  were made in circular geometry to divide into various zones.

House Geometry - Art Form

Man exists in a rhythmic pattern and so does his art form, It starts to end and ends to start again. These patterns exist in them since they are centered to a particular thought and are under the gravity of that thought. if the thought changes, so does the pattern. House geometry plays an important role in instilling harmony and tranquility. The house geometry of Mountain Dust  is based on a squarish and triangular grid - forming a Triskelion geometrical system which is balanced by circular geometry of  landscape.

On-Site Execution

After a conceptual drawing and model, working drawings were not made. The house evolved naturally, It was purely on-site work in response to site context, a direct collaboration between the architect, local mason and fabricator, without the involvement of any structural and civil engineers. 

Stay updated on the latest news and insights in home decor, design, architecture, and construction materials with Building Material Reporter.