After the scorching summer heat, an impatient anticipation for the initial showers of monsoon infiltrates one’s mind. Unexpectedly, the southwestern winds blow in to bring a waft of an earthy smell, while nostalgia works its way into our minds. Fostering this nostalgia, Mud Showcase House, nestled in the residential bylanes of Noida, Delhi NCR, becomes an incarnation of the architect’s experimental pursuits.

“The material is a very important choice you make while constructing anything”- Shreya Srivastava

FACT FILE

After two years of setting up her practice, the architect decided to find an address for it. A plot owned by her family, amidst a residential setting, seemed like a memo from fate itself. These orchestrations gave rise to a grounded 1-BHK office-cum-home on a petite 2,000 sq. ft. plot. Surrounded by tall skyscrapers, and an array of four-storied homes, this structure, lacking any ounce of concrete, stands as an epitome of sustainability and giving back to nature.

CAST FROM THE PAST

In pursuit of mirroring the firm’s principles, the architect sought to construct a structure that could be flagged as a ‘zero energy building’. The only viable option to effectuate this brief was to source every material locally and naturally. Consequently, a beige, almost conventional-looking home, captures one’s gaze while strolling through the neighbourhood. With walls ingeniously crafted from mud, stone, lime, cow dung, straw, and Surkhi (brick dust), this abode transforms into an organic, tranquil oasis, limiting its usage of artificial ventilation. After completion of the walls, the architect was faced with a slight hiccup, as she went to the authorities to get approval, on using stone as a roofing material. “They told me I couldn't do a kaccha (raw) slab, or else this (the home) will be considered as a kaccha house, and we will not get a completion certificate,” she narrates, reminiscing about the process. To elucidate a solution, the design team came up with an ingenious idea to fabricate a permanent slab with inverted earthen pots to cut the utilization of concrete, showcasing their solid vow towards eco-consciousness.

INSIDER DIARIES

The entrance of the structure offers a choice of entries; one leads to the architect's workspace and the other to her home. Upon entering the home through an arched doorway, a mirror not only casts an illusion of spaciousness but also reflects the verdant hues of the exteriors. The wooden elements dotted throughout the foyer, set the timelessly elegant character that unfurls. Progressing, the living room perpetuates the classic earthy nature of the dwelling with wooden pieces like a jhoola, a coffee table, a phone booth, and a lime and mud-in-built sofa. A painting depicting a series of mud houses and greenery, on the feature wall serves as a tribute to the architect’s father and his roots. Painted by artist Rahul and his team, it serves as a vibrant burst of colour in the otherwise earthy room. With an eye on sustainability, ventilation was a crucial aspect that was catered to with a series of wind catchers on the lintel level to maintain a cool temperature.

CORE OF TRANQUILITY

On escaping the living space through an arched door, a petite garden traps one in its clutches decelerating one’s movements. The architect constantly flocks to this space with a cup of coffee in one hand and a sketchbook in the other, away from the traffic noises for quiet evenings. This space with a lush lawn and an eccentric moment, courtesy of a twisted-column not only serves as the focal point of the home but also a catalyst to foster its resident’s creativity. This twisted-column attracts a plethora of admirers that caress its curves. The space also hosts the dance of light and shadows, performed by the sun hitting the bamboo splines, which was a last-minute addition addressing the privacy issue. This garden isn’t just a communal gathering space for its inhabitants but also for water, as it houses a rainwater harvesting pit that replenishes the water table of the sector.

Flanking the garden is an array of spaces that capitalize on the lushness of this space and the light streaming in through the bamboo splines. A kitchen and a dining space, sit beside, visually connected to the garden, while casually basking in its ethereal glow. Moving further, one comes across a bedroom with furniture sculpted from mud and lime, perpetuating the earthy theme of the residence. The textured artwork on the feature wall lends a subtle air of playfulness to the space, with its verdant hues and grainy textures. The attached bathroom, with its in-built counters and wooden framed mirrors, serves as a fusion of classical and earthy.

The architect’s affection for nature and thoughtfulness towards the nature of materials and its processes prompted her to treat mud as her muse. Doing so she had a resolute “…I also wanted the image of mud to change in the world or society because whenever we talk about mud, everyone has this perception that it is a dull or temporary material,” recollects the architect while admiring her contemporary and conventional looking mud home.

To watch the complete home tour, peruse the drawings in detail, and browse additional photographs, visit Buildofy. While there, don’t miss out on the other spectacular traditional homes in Delhi NCR and across India.