Earthscape Studio creates cave-like form for The Wild House in India

A sculptural shell coated in mud plaster creates a winding, cave-like interior at this farmhouse in Tamil Nadu, India, completed by local architecture practice Earthscape Studio.

Called The Wild House, the 134.7-square-metre home is designed by Earthscape Studio to complement its rolling green site between the mountains and a forest near the town of Mettupalayam.

It has a contemporary yet organic form with natural finishes, including a type of lime plaster known as thappi that coats the home's structural ferrocement shell.

"We started our design focusing 25 per cent on construction and 75 per cent on nature," lead architect Petchimuthu Kennedy told Dezeen.

"The reason behind the structure was to avoid columns and beams, making a self-sustaining structure that flows in a fluidic form – we call this 'fold architecture'," he added.

The plan of The Wild House loops around a central tree-planted courtyard wrapped by a high arched corridor, accessed through a tunnel-like opening to the north.

Organised around the edges of this doughnut-shaped central corridor are a bar, living area and two bedrooms housed in bulbous protrusions, ventilated by stork-like vents which emerge from the home's roof.

Partially sunken into the ground, letterbox-style windows framed by visor-like openings provide views both of the surrounding landscape and onto the central courtyard, which is accessed through large glass doors.

"The farmhouse folds with surprises for each space, bringing curiosity about the spaces," explained Kennedy.

"These folds and curves feel like entering a cave giving a wild experience. The windows open to the sylvan view on the outside from the lower level bringing the cold air into the space," he added.

While the home is coated externally in thappi plaster, inside it is lined with a more textured variety of mud plaster, complemented by lime-plaster floors to complete its cave-like atmosphere.

The Wild House's beds and furniture were all custom-made to match the organic shapes of the building, making use of scrap wood and local stone.

"All the furniture is built-in, in accordance with the space," said Kennedy. "The bed, cushions and the fabrics are customised in accordance to its own shape and play creating an opulent feel," he added.

"With earthen architecture, more important than the materials are the craftsmen – we choose the materials based on the local craftsmen who are experts in local techniques and materials."

Bangalore-based Earthscape Studio often makes use of local materials for its nature-inspired designs.

Previous projects by the practice include a home in Anaikatti wrapped by a gabion wall filled with local stones and a vaulted home in Kerala topped with recycled tiles.

The photography is by Studio Iksha.

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