The Croft

Located on the outskirts of Erode, Tamil Nadu, The Croft, a weekend retreat is nestled in a sprawling one-acre farmland. Situated near a bird sanctuary, the property offers a tranquil setting surrounded by lush farmlands and meandering streams.
The clients, a young couple, wanted a two-bedroom recreational house to accommodate both parties and intimate gatherings. They wanted the house to be closely linked to the surrounding greenery, while also ensuring privacy and security from neighbouring farms.
Our design approach in response was to create a house that looks inward, featuring spacious semi-open areas to appreciate the outdoors, participate in gardening, and bird-watching, promoting a sense of connection with each other.
The porotherm jali walls gently guide visitors towards the entrance. These walls smoothly blend into the roof, showcasing their simple elegance. The fenestrations on the porotherm blocks provide a peek into the stunning landscape surrounding the property.
The communal spaces in the house are situated under a pitched roof, creating a feeling of grandeur. The open layout of the house eliminates formal barriers, allowing the rooms to connect effortlessly, while small gardens bring together the indoor and outdoor areas.
In the center of the house lies a central skylight court, adorned with Mangalore roof tiles and glass inlay. Sunlight streams through casting a warm glow on the walls and floors. The room comes alive with the play of natural light, creating a vibrant atmosphere all day long.
The outdoor pool area, along with a gazebo and bar, acts as a congregation space where people come together to relax and socialize. It serves as a focal point for social gatherings amidst the beauty of the outdoors. The bar counter, crafted from a yellow stone with a striking cantilever design, adds visual appeal to the area.
The design incorporated a natural material palette including wood, rubble stone, kota, Mangalore tile, and rich oxide finishes. The utilization of oxide finishes and stone cladding throughout the space creates a raw and distinctive atmosphere.
All the trees on the site were thoughtfully conserved, and a small number were relocated to a different area within the site. The landscaping was carried out with great attention to detail, including a mix of tropical trees, plants, and shrubs to enhance the overall greenery with added depth and diversity.
The design demonstrates a perfect balance between nature and architecture, with the wind chimes, bird songs, natural light, and earthy finishes, coming together seamlessly with the surroundings, providing a lasting experience for the user.