East elevation of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out Of The Box
East elevation of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out Of The Box
The project derives its name, “The House of Reclaimed Gold” from their commitment to reclaiming materials from demolition waste, echoing the sentiment of passing on heirlooms through generations, a common practice in Indian tradition. While some of the old wada-style properties around Mumbai were being demolished, they found chiselled basalt rock disposed of at these sites as an ideal material for the load-bearing foundation of the house and the wall masonry on the leeward side of the house. During their recce around the village, they noticed vernacular homes being demolished for the construction of RCC substitutes. These homes offered them age-old seasoned wood that found a new purpose in their project as decking and roofing members. Some of these homes also provided us with an array of clay tiles for the roof, and a flamboyant collection of doors and windows to be reused. They turned to the local granite depots for their broken granite waste to create mosaic flooring in the living spaces, while the pebbles sieved out of soil during construction were used for the anti-skid mosaic in the wet areas of the bathroom.
South west elevation of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out Of The Box
North elevation of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out Of The Box
Verandah with lily pond of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out Of The Box
Their sentiments toward handcrafting led them to conduct several successful experiments on site. One notable innovation was the design of adobe moulds that incorporated a sleeve for concealing electrical conduits, allowing them to expose the earthen walls on the interior. These conduits terminated at switchboxes crafted on-site from reclaimed teak wood. Additionally, they repurposed aged wooden logs found scattered on the farmland to create intricate live-edge features within the house. These include the kitchen counter, the master bath washbasin, and the living room column, each imbued with a sense of history and connection to the land. A cartwheel sourced from the village was incorporated as a perforated design element to the leeward elevation of the house.
Living block with open kitchen of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out Of The Box
Kitchen of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out Of The Box
Kitchen of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out Of The Box
Taking the harsh local climate of scorching summers and heavy monsoons into consideration, the house was designed in two elongated wings along the east-west axis. This ensured minimal exposure to the glare of the sun to reduce heat gain while maximizing ventilation. The 9-inch-thick load-bearing adobe walls provided the necessary thermal mass required to insulate the interiors, creating a significant difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures. Expansive overhangs of sloping roofs and enveloping verandahs played a major role in ensuring safety from weathering, aiding the longevity of this earthen structure. With an internal roof height of 26 feet, hot air is allowed to escape through meshed gable frames, facilitating natural ventilation. Furthermore, the verandah and lily pond surrounding the house act as a buffer, cooling the incoming breeze, and providing a comfortable environment indoors.
Reclaimed window at kitchen of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out Of The Box
Staircase of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out Of The Box
Wooden staircase of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out Of The Box
First floor deck of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out Of The Box
The residence is divided into two wings, namely the public and the private wings planned around a fruiting fig tree and connected by a central verandah. The public wing encompasses an open-plan living area seamlessly merging with a spacious kitchen. Reflecting a preference for rural living, dining rituals are designed around floor seating. Verandahs serve as ample overflow areas for entertaining guests. The client's and parents' bedrooms, along with master and guest baths are situated in the private wing. These baths enjoy skylit landscape courts, infusing greenery into the spaces. Both wings offer an open deck on the first floor with interconnected verandahs, providing ample space for various activities while fostering a connection with the natural surroundings. The house strives to achieve a delicate balance between the indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing the residents to fully embrace the abundant beauty of farm life while preserving tradition and respecting the environment.
Master bathroom with handcrafted wash basin & pebble floor of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out Of The Box
Arches at the west of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out Of The Box
Wada style windows of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out Of The Box
Wada style reclaimed windows of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out Of The Box
Stone wall of outdoor kitchen of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out Of The Box
Handcrafted switchbox of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out Of The Box
Ground Floor Plan of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out of The Box
First Floor Plan of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out of The Box
Section AA of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out of The Box
Section BB of House of Reclaimed Gold by Out of The Box
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