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Project posted by Architecture BRIO

House on a Stream

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Location
Alibag, Maharashtra, India
Year
2013
Structure
House (Single Residence)
Style
Modern
Open to sky bathroom
Open to sky bathroom
A bridge straddles the two parts of the house
A bridge straddles the two parts of the house
Master bedroom with a balcony hovering over the stream
Master bedroom with a balcony hovering over the stream
An arrival path aligns with the axis of the pergola. It embraces the pool while leading to the dining room on the left side.
An arrival path aligns with the axis of the pergola. It embraces the pool while leading to the dining room on the left side.
The pool is aligned along the stream acting as a celebration of it during the monsoons, and a memory of it during the dry season.
The pool is aligned along the stream acting as a celebration of it during the monsoons, and a memory of it during the dry season.
Interior volumes are defined by the changing thickness of the internal ceiling.
Interior volumes are defined by the changing thickness of the internal ceiling.
The living room is lifted off the ground to have a framed view of the trees in the distance
The living room is lifted off the ground to have a framed view of the trees in the distance
The Guest Bedroom
The Guest Bedroom
Elegant timber screens soften the greyness of the concrete. They not only form a buffer between the interior space and the exteriors, but also create an intensive play of shadow and light on the floors and walls.
Elegant timber screens soften the greyness of the concrete. They not only form a buffer between the interior space and the exteriors, but also create an intensive play of shadow and light on the floors and walls.
The Master Bathroom
The Master Bathroom
Windows boxes made out of galvanised steel frame precious moments in the garden
Windows boxes made out of galvanised steel frame precious moments in the garden
The Kitchen as the centre of the house
The Kitchen as the centre of the house
natural light animates the interiors through the skylight
natural light animates the interiors through the skylight
Ground Floor Plan
Ground Floor Plan
Sections
Sections
Axonometric
Axonometric

From Architecture BRIO

A Tranquil Retreat Woven into Nature's Embrace

Nestled in the serene landscape of Alibag, this retreat stands as a testament to harmonious architecture seamlessly integrated with its natural surroundings. The house, a delicate weave of design and nature, is cradled by a seasonal stream that meanders through its heart, imparting a unique and ever-changing charm to the property.

The genius of this retreat lies in its ability to both open up and cocoon itself in response to the dynamic characteristics of the site. The stream, though seasonal, becomes a captivating landscape feature year-round. Medicinal and fruit-bearing trees scattered across the property, create an intimate ambiance and a comfortable microclimate. A short walk along the stream before entering the house builds anticipation, setting the tone for a tranquil retreat.

Divided into two parts, the day areas (dining, kitchen, living room, and entrance verandah) and the master bedroom are connected by a bridge spanning the stream. The house like an organism strategically reaches out into the landscape with multiple "limbs," each framing unique views and capturing special moments. The volumes of the house, reminiscent of a Chillida sculpture, create a spatial field where “a large spatial field is formed in the centre around which the limbs move. The dialogue between the forms, are much more important than the forms themselves.”

As passionate cooks, the kitchen is the heart of the house for the owners. Drawing inspiration from the kitchen chimneys at the Sintra Palacio Nacional, this space is a grand, inviting volume that tapers towards a skylight, allowing natural light to filter down and animate the space throughout the day. Radiating from the central kitchen, three wings extend into the landscape, anchoring the house in its idyllic location. The living room wing, elevated to offer a panoramic view of the distant mountain range, exemplifies the marriage of comfort and aesthetic appeal.

The guest room wing, embracing an existing tree, forms a courtyard and offers a peek across the dining room with a view over the length of the stream. The swimming pool, aligned along the stream, serves as a substitute during dry seasons and an extension during the monsoons, further enhancing the immersive experience of nature. The house is a living, breathing entity that invites residents to connect with nature and find solace in its carefully crafted embrace.