This red brick rural residence is situated on a 380 square meter plot in Nhavi Sandas, a riverside village with deep agricultural roots. Historically, the village was characterized by courtyard-style homes built from brick and stone, locally known as ‘Wada’. Over time, these traditional houses have been replaced by modern constructions that often lack sustainability, consume excessive energy, and fail to adapt well to the local climate.
This project seeks to revive the timeless charm of traditional architecture by reinterpreting its forms to suit contemporary lifestyles.
Drawing inspiration from the traditional Vada residence layout, this design features a central courtyard and corridor as the heart of the home. This arrangement divides the residence into public and private zones while enhancing natural light and ventilation throughout two bedrooms, a living room, dining area, and kitchen.
The entrance is deliberately concealed to evoke a sense of discovery and seamlessly integrates into the building’s overall form, guiding visitors directly to the central corridor and courtyard. On one side lies an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area that encourages social interaction. On the opposite side, two bedrooms and a bathroom provide a private retreat.
The circulation spaces have been reimagined as semi-outdoor transitional corridors. These corridors connect every room to nature, optimize the flow of the interior, maximize spatial efficiency, and enhance the building’s climate adaptability, all while preserving functionality.
The exterior of the residence boldly reflects the aesthetics of traditional Vada homes. Traditionally, a solid stone foundation supports the brick and stone structure above. In this design, concrete serves as the sturdy base, while the brick construction above showcases the material’s texture and celebrates geometric simplicity.
A small courtyard along the boundary is planted with greenery, enhancing air circulation, ensuring privacy, and creating a tranquil, natural atmosphere. Inside, a fresh white color palette, abundant natural light, wooden furnishings, and black basalt flooring combine to create a serene and intimate living environment.
Ultimately, this residence represents a heartfelt effort to bring living spaces closer to nature while seamlessly blending traditional architectural elements with the needs of modern life.
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up