Aranyaka, Mandangad

This project is situated in Kokan (coastal Maharashtra). The brief was to build a larger first home in place of an exsiting smaller shed for a couple looking to move to rural Maharashtra for farming. It is part of a beautiful lush green property complete with a farm, dairy, poultry and a patch of untouched private forest land!

The design consists for a large front veranda with a utility room, living - ding area, an open kitchen with an attached store room and access to a rear veranda, two bedrooms and a media room.

Aranyaka was built using a timber frame (local Ain wood) and laterite block infill - as observed in the traditional building systems of the region. Due to this combination, the structure suffered minimal damages during the cyclones of 2020-21, while the surrounding villages were adversely affected by the same. The roof is timber framed, with a cellulose-resin roofing sheet (to avoid damage by monkeys, clay tiles were not used)

All masons and carpenters were locals from the neighboring villages. Laterite blocks, doors and windows from the old shed were reused in the new construction.