organic shell roof made of thatch and mud tops sculptural eco-retreat in india

Earth’s Embrace: An Organic Eco-Retreat in Wayanad

Set amidst a 4-acre hillside plantation in Wayanad, Kerala, India, Earth’s Embrace by Raving Dots Studio is both an eco-retreat and an architectural experiment in fusing computational design with vernacular wisdom. The project responds to two challenges: how to reconnect people with nature, and how to build with minimal ecological footprint. The form of the retreat is derived through parametric modeling, optimized to reduce surface area and material consumption while harmonizing with the site’s contours. The thin yet strong ferrocement shell structure allowed a sculptural enclosure with minimal resources. This shell is insulated with breathable mud plaster, balancing thermal comfort with natural tactility. Construction followed a philosophy of low-impact intervention: minimal cut-and-fill, orientation aligned with sunset views, and preservation of existing vegetation.

the cabin sits within a larger eco-retreat masterplan, connected by organic pathways | all images courtesy of Raving Dots Studio

organic sustainable construction by Raving Dots Studio

Inside, the spatial experience is meditative. Light filters in through carefully placed apertures, framing views of the plantation and sky, while the organic curves guide movement smoothly. Sustainability is embedded not only in form and material but also in environmental systems. The design integrates an Earth-Air Tunnel system for passive cooling, reducing reliance on mechanical conditioning. The cabin’s microclimate is further supported by preserved vegetation and natural ventilation paths shaped by the geometry itself. Earth’s Embrace represents a broader design ethos at Raving Dots Studio: to craft architecture that is simultaneously organic, computationally optimized, and deeply rooted in its ecological context. Rather than being a static object, the retreat is designed as a living participant in the landscape, one that will weather, adapt, and evolve with time.

parametric roof geometry draped in natural thatch, framing the cabin within lush vegetation

the sweeping ferrocement shell meets a band of glazing, allowing light to flow in

Earth’s Embrace blends into the hillside plantation, its organic shell roof merges with the surrounding greenery

curving ferrocement shells define the structure, combining strength with minimal thickness

the building is oriented toward sunset views, aligning architecture with the landscape

curved pathways and walls guide visitors to the cabin, integrating trees and planting into the built form

the cabin and swimming pool are set amid lush valley

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the retreat glows softly against the Wayanad sky, highlighting its curving shell walls and thatched roof

pool at night

entrance

sculpted ferrocement interiors

bedroom

bedroom

bedroom

bathroom

project info:

name: Earth’s Embrace
architect: Raving Dots Studio | @ravingdotsstudio

location: Wayanad, Kerala, India