Urul, nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Wayanad, exemplifies the harmonious integration of architecture and nature. The two-bedroom residence, tailored for a nature-loving couple, offers an immersive experience, inviting the beauty of its surroundings into everyday life honoring nature’s colors and elements.
Project Name: Urul
Studio Name: Studio Terratects
Location: Chundale, Wayanad, Kerala
Area: 1600sqft
Project Completed: 2023
Principal Architect: Ar.Roshith Shibu
Structural Consultant: Triangle Design Studio
Positioned with a rocky hill as its backdrop, a panoramic view of Chembra Peak upfront, and the Indian Rosewood tree as a focal point, the house is carefully placed to blend with the terrain. Its cantilevered ground floor design minimizes disturbance to the earth below while also creating a sense of the balcony. The detailed environmental study led to the identification of two paleochannels (ancient riverbeds) flowing underground respecting to which the well was placed.
Perfectly attuned to its context, the residence ensures that every journey offers captivating views. From the C-shaped entrance bay, a circular cutout frames the Chembra Peak, setting the stage for the scenic journey ahead. The living room and master bedroom continue this theme, with glass replacing the south wall, inviting the outside in. The open layout of the interior space is thoughtfully designed with each perspective carefully controlled to frame either an exterior or interior view.
The master bedroom features strategically placed circular cutouts in the east wall, providing natural ventilation and capturing views of the surroundings. The bridge connecting the kitchen to the rest of the block, flanked by glass, further blurs the lines between nature and architecture.
Urul’s construction is a masterful fusion of traditional techniques and modern innovation, utilizing local materials and craftsmanship to create a timeless structure. Through research, including interviews with elderly masons and local tribes, valuable insights were gained on building in harmony with nature, using sustainable techniques and materials sourced directly from the site.
This innovative approach has had a profound impact on the native way of building. The mud plastering technique, where mud is mixed with natural binders and applied by hand, researched to ensure waterproofing and insect-proof qualities, was taught to local artisans, who have since adopted it in new constructions.
The mature Indian Rosewood tree is a central feature of Urul, woven effortlessly into the architectural design, symbolizing the deep connection between the home and its context. As one ascends to the first-floor bedroom, the intimate relationship with the tree becomes apparent, offering occupants a unique view and imbuing the space with a sense of natural charm and drama.
Transitioning vertically, the staircase’s supporting wall, designed with organic shapes and circular cutouts, conceals the beam while offering the sights of the hilly backdrop. Each step ascends toward the upper bridge, extending to the bedroom and balcony, where glass partitions capture northern panoramas.
The building, ingeniously designed to maximize natural light and ventilation, has spaces thoughtfully planned to capture the interplay of light and drama throughout the day. The pooja space at the entrance, illuminated by skylight, exudes a divine atmosphere and adds to the interplay of light. The reclaimed horizontal wooden logs locally called shavock on the ceilings of the living area and first floor cast striking shadows on the walls throughout the day, while the circular cutouts in the metal staircase create playful patterns underneath. This transforms the house into a living sundial, allowing residents to effortlessly gauge the time of day by observing the shifting shadows, blending functionality with aesthetic appeal.
The site with a history of landslides and the rocky hill which directs rainwater, turning certain parts of the site into waterfalls during heavy rainfalls, posed quite a challenge for the direct construction of the residence. To address these challenges, a solution was devised after studying the site. This involved digging up the identified landslide paths of the plot up to 2 meters deep, filling these trenches with rocks to compact the soil to create artificial drainage. A retaining wall on the rear side acts as a buffer space incase of any stone fall. This spot is also used for setting up the well. Bamboo (Dendrocalamus Giganteus) was introduced to tighten the soil, making it more stable.
Urul stands as an architectural masterpiece crafted from the earth, in close collaboration with the local tribe using locally available materials and techniques. The mud plaster not only regulates the building’s temperature, but it also celebrates the beauty of hand-applied finishes, showcasing charming imperfections that add character to the structure. The 300 mm thick filler slab between floors enhances natural insulation, providing thermal comfort while ensuring structural stability.
