Rooted in Nature: Stories of Sustainable and Innovative Spaces

Nearly 10,000 years ago, humans erected their simple shelters and dwellings from natural materials like wood, timber, mud and more. With every passing civilization, the concepts, designs, and the definition of Architecture evolved and revolutionised. There is something infinitely healing and peaceful in the inhabitance of Nature. Evolved from cut-rock Architecture to skyscrapers, yet today, we feel the pull to return back to a habitat connected to our Environment. The Collector office in Pune designed by Ar. Sunil Patil stands testament for eco-friendly construction. Bathed in the natural day-light, the space is designed with devices that control the heat gain and achieve thermal comfort. It draws its electricity for internal lighting from the installed Solar Photo-voltaic system. The eco-conscious design approach of ventilation, irrigation using treated water, preservation of the existing and plantation of new landscape, and use of metal furniture rather than wood led to the reduction of its Energy Performance Index by 22%. In 28 years of his practice, ‘Harmony with Nature’ has been his constant principle. Photo Title- Collector Office Pune Photos Credit © Square One Ar. Shree Mahajani narrates the story of Designing with nature in the project, ’The Gable House’, deeply rooted to its city’s architectural style. A flowing water body and a Mango tree welcomes you to the house that blends characteristics of the town Satara with its lush green plateaus. Photo Title- The Gable House Image Courtesy- Studio Mahajani + Mahajani Massive gable walls, small voids and a large hang roof together minimizes the heat gain keeping the interiors cool while the elevated skylight allows the natural light to dance in every corner of the space. The material palette consisting of teakwood veneer, neutral white walls, rustic grey flooring and glimpses of the green invites you for a peaceful solace. Photo Title- The Gable House Image Courtesy- Studio Mahajani + Mahajani ‘Nature is something we should live with rather than view from a box’, believes Aziya H Mondal who redesigned Variyath, a bungalow in Kerala that has a history of 6 decades. Embraced in Sandalwood and timeworn teak, this space has lived many lives — a that of home, post office and now a library cafe. What remains the same is its character to narrate stories. Photo Title- Variyath Bungalow, Kerala Photo Credits- © Marc Frames With mud plastered walls and art crafted on reclaimed wood obtained from the building itself, Aziya restored it blending the traditional element and modern touch. It isn’t just about design here; it’s about memories the space holds. The redesign honours the past and invites the present, opening its doors for the ones seeking to escape into a world where time stands still and stories breathe in along with Nature. Photo Title- Variyath Bungalow, Kerala Photo Credits- © Marc Frames Photo Title- Variyath Bungalow, Kerala Photo Credits- © Marc Frames Behind every thoughtful space, is an Architect who believes that sustainability, functionality and comfort can go hand-in-hand.