THE URBAN FARMHOUSE

Walking through a vaastu-compliant home in Pondicherry that strikes a fine balance between design, drama, and the surrounding environment

- GOUTAMAN PRATHABAN

In a quaint little village, Kurumbagaram, near the port town of Karaikal in southern Tamil Nadu is the vacation home of our client a newly married couple and their parents. Intended to be a get-away from the hustle of urban life, the house is nestled amongst the shade of sandalwood trees, fruit orchards and paddy fields. This ancestral half acre land is a haven for birds and squirrels. The ideas was to create a place that makes the residents feel connected with not only the surrounding nature but also their inner souls.

The architecture captures the emotions and energies of the land, which at one point supported a family of ten brothers and their mother's meditation practices. The design evokes the simplicity of rural life using timeless design and materials. The building footprint is less to minimise impact on local vegetation and for an efficient microclimate.

The house is set far back from the street allowing to create a beautifully landscaped buffer breathing space that gives only a sneak peek of the residence.

The design philosophy is a mix between rustic themes based on the idea of living with nature and contemporary finishes to enable comfortable work from home weekends.