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The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX

Architecture

2023

Photographer : Studio F/8

In the serene countryside of Vaiyampatti, nestled amidst the vast expanse of paddy fields, stands a humbly placed farmhouse exuding quiet grace and rustic elegance. It is a perfect setting reminiscent of William Wordsworth’s “Solitary Reaper”. The low lying and the spread-out nature of the home makes it humane and relatable to the surrounding, offering a fitting aesthetic response to the setting.

While this house is conceived as a classic, straight-forward courtyard house, stemming from the client’s memory of their family home, it combines traditional principles and effortlessly blends them with the needs of modern inhabitants. Architecturally, it is a precise 3x3 grid inspired by the traditional Nalukettu house, with strategically positioned walls only where essential to accommodate specific functions, allowing the open plan to function seamlessly otherwise.

The nucleus of the house being the courtyard, occupies the central grid. Wrapping around it is a corridor with sloped roof adorned with intricate eaves designed to channel rainwater runoff into the bio-pond. The overflow from the bio-pond gets collected in the rainwater harvesting tank that was functionally planned and integrated during the foundation stages.

Vaiyampatti,Tamil Nadu,India

Architects : UNBOX
Area : 3680 sq. ft.
Year : 2023
Website : https://www.instagram.com/unboxarchitecture/

Exterior view of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


Exterior view of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


Entrance of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


Lounge of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX

The corridor unfolds into spacious living in the north, dining in the south, a welcome lounge and a stairwell on the west and east respectively—with the welcome lounge being the first space encountered upon entry. This entry features a portal inspired by the tall and opulent temple doors of Tamil Nadu, that serves as a grand and inviting gesture. Positioned on the central axis, it reveals an enchanting view of the pooja room, framed by the bio pond in the foreground when opened. The alignment echoes the design of temples, where the deity and the main portal face the rising sun.


Lounge of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


Bio-pond of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


Living room of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX

The tall and majestic portal is emphasized by glass windows flanked on either side, transitioning into a lintel-level brick jali envelope, that forms the frontage on the outside and a thermally comfortable sit-out with filtered light and air on the inside. The clean geometry of concrete and steel combined with an exquisite material palette such as mangalore roof tiles, bricks, handmade clay pots for the filler slab, and the juxtaposition of polished and unpolished granite alongside vibrant athangudi tiles creates a tactile, and soulful experience. Despite the variety of roof explorations ranging from concrete flat slabs to filler slabs and sloped tile roofs, and window styles from glass to grills & louvers, the combination is balanced optimally for visual and climatic appeal.


View from living room of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


Dining & Kitchen of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


View from dining area of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


Passage to pooja room of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


Passage to pooja room of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


View from staircase of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


Upper living of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX

In crafting the Reaper's house, the deliberate avoidance of "White," typically perceived as flawless and unnatural, reflects the designer's profound respect for the imperfections inherent in nature. This core intent drove the choice of natural tones creating a genuine, heartfelt character, resonating with its surroundings, hence living by the quietness of “Stop here or gently pass!”


Detailed shot of door of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


Pool & Lawn of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


Dusk light exterior view of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


Dusk light exterior view of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


Dusk light exterior view of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


Site plan of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


Ground Floor Plan of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


First Floor Plan of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


Section XX of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


Section YY of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX


Site Section of The Reaper’s Retreat by UNBOX



Tags
Resorts and Retreats
architecture
interior design
residential architecture
residential interiors
2023
3000 to 5000 sq.ft
india
Tamil Nadu
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