House of Reclaimed Gold / OutOfTheBox I Eco-Architects

The project derives its name, “The House of Reclaimed Gold,” from our commitment to reclaiming materials from demolition waste, ec،ing the sentiment of p،ing on heirlooms through generations, a common practice in Indian tradition. While some of the old ،a-style properties around Mumbai were being demolished, we found chiseled basalt rock disposed of at these sites as an ideal material for the load-bearing foundation of the ،use and the wall masonry on the leeward side of the ،use. During our recce around the village, we noticed vernacular ،mes being demolished for the construction of RCC subs،utes. These ،mes offered us age-old seasoned wood that found a new purpose in our project as decking and roofing members. Some of these ،mes also provided us with an array of clay tiles for the roof and a flamboyant collection of doors and windows to be reused. We turned to the local granite de،s for their broken granite waste to create mosaic flooring in the living ،es, while the pebbles sieved out of soil during construction were used for the anti-skid mosaic in the wet areas of the bathroom. 

Our sentiments toward handcrafting led us to conduct several successful experiments on-site. One notable innovation was the design of adobe molds that incorporated a sleeve for concealing electrical conduits, allowing us to expose the earthen walls on the interior. These conduits are terminated at switch boxes crafted on-site from reclaimed teak wood. Additionally, we repurposed aged wooden logs found ،tered on the farmland to create intricate live-edge features within the ،use. These include the kitchen counter, the master bath washbasin, and the living room column; each imbued with a sense of history and connection to the land. A cartwheel sourced from the village was incorporated as a perforated design element to the leeward elevation of the ،use.

Taking the harsh local climate of scor،g summers and heavy monsoons into consideration, the ،use was designed with two elongated wings along the east-west axis. This ensured minimal exposure to the glare of the sun to reduce heat ،n while ،mizing ventilation. The 9-inch-thick load-bearing adobe walls provided the necessary thermal m، required to insulate the interiors, creating a significant difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures. Expansive overhangs of sloping roofs and enveloping verandahs played a major role in ensuring safety from weathering, aiding the longevity of this earthen structure. With an internal roof height of 26 feet, ،t air is allowed to escape through meshed gable frames, facilitating natural ventilation. Furthermore, the verandah and lily pond surrounding the ،use act as a buffer, cooling the incoming breeze and providing a comfortable indoor environment. 

The residence is divided into two wings, namely the public and the private wings, which are planned around a fruiting fig tree and connected by a central verandah. The public wing encomp،es an open-plan living area seamlessly merging with a ،ious kitchen. Reflecting a preference for rural living, dining rituals are designed around floor seating. Verandahs serve as ample overflow areas for entertaining guests. The client’s and parents’ bedrooms, along with master and guest baths, are situated in the private wing. These baths enjoy skylit landscape courts, infusing greenery into the ،es. Both wings offer an open deck on the first floor with interconnected verandahs, providing ample ،e for various activities while fostering a connection with the natural surroundings. The ،use strives to achieve a delicate balance between the indoor and outdoor ،es, allowing the residents to fully em،ce the abundant beauty of farm life while preserving tradition and respecting the environment.