Set amid lush mango groves in the coastal town of Alibaug near Mumbai, ‘Asmalaya’, the biophilic home embraces the harmonious interplay between architecture and nature. Through a thoughtful fusion of form and function, design seeks to provide immersive experiences. The space positions itself as a celebration of sustainable living through nature and recycled materials, traditional wisdom.
Project Name: Asmalay
Office Name: Blurring Boundaries
Office Website: https://blurringboundaries.in/
Firm Location: Mumbai, India
Completion Year: 2023
Gross Built Area (m2/ ft2): 2000 ft2
Project Location: Alibag, Maharashtra
Program / Use / Building Function: Residential
Lead Architects: Prashant Dupare , Shriya Parasrampuria
Photo Credits: Inclined studio & Prashant Dupare
The design concept is based on the organic curves that gracefully hug the five mango trees on the premises. An open floor plan and interconnected spaces offer versatility and flexibility, with each space transitioning seamlessly into the next with beautiful curved walls, thus creating a unified spatial environment. The dining room and open kitchen merge effortlessly, while the common areas maintain an understated but practical aesthetic. The upper floor, which sits on the private residences, holds a quiet, consistent texture, continuing with the ground floor.
Strategically aligned with orientation and wind, the residence boasts areas of natural light and good ventilation. The curvature of the openings matches the orientation and layout of the existing trees, while brick arch windows facilitate the circulation of daylight and air, creating charming micro-climates with indoor protection from high summer temperatures.
The north-facing ferro-cement roof has been carefully designed to accommodate existing trees whose horizontal canopies provide natural shading, negating the need for air-conditioning. The brick and stone and other elements serve to provide a thoughtful blend of earthy colors with a unique spatial structure. The use of bricks in the rat trap bond not only improves the efficiency of the material but also helps to insulate the brick structure. The expressive potential of brick is harnessed by textured wall treatments, corbelling and distinctive apertures, where light and texture collaboratively emit a warm atmosphere. A recycled glass bottle wall on the ground floor, adjacent to the staircase, introduces a playful infusion of daylight, orchestrating an interplay of light and shadow that enriches the earthy color palette. Complementing the structure, inbuilt ferrocement furniture exemplifies a harmonious blend of functionality and design. This approach of ‘selective detailing’ generates a juxtaposition with the blue-toned ceiling, engendering contrast and harmony.
The architecture connects the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing residents to better connect with their natural surroundings. ‘Asmalaya’, the result of a conscious effort to create an eco-conscious settlement, stands as a testament to conscientious sustainability. This residence embodies a possible vision of human habitation coexisting in harmony with the environment, and demonstrates how architectural ingenuity can create spaces that nourish the human spirit and the planet.
