pond houses crafted from earth blocks float above land and water in india

a series of cottages stand on raised platforms minimizing impact on saguna baug's pond ecosystem.

Miqdad Shirazi edited by christina vergopoulou April 30, 2025 3 min

PYHT – BioArchitects builds pond houses at saguna baug

The Pond Houses at Saguna Baug, India, are a series of cottages by Put Your Hands Together (PHYT) – BioArchitects, positioned at the boundary between land and water. Designed as part of a larger 50-acre agro-tourism development in Neral, Maharashtra, the project integrates architectural form with the surrounding man-made pond ecosystem.

Constructed using 9-inch-thick Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB) made from on-site excavated earth, the structures emphasize material efficiency and passive thermal regulation. Raised platforms reduce ground impact and allow for minimal disruption to the pond environment.

pond houses crafted from earth blocks float above land and water in india - 1 — all images by Amalgamate

Design maintains continuity between nature and built forms

The architectural layout by Put Your Hands Together (PHYT) – BioArchitects includes a gently elevated plinth that transitions into a deck overlooking the water. The buildings are composed of a composite RCC (Reinforced Concrete Composite) frame with load-bearing walls supporting a dual-layered roof system, an inner brick shallow dome combined with an outer sloping Mangalore-tile roof. This combination enhances insulation and reduces the cooled interior volume, lowering energy requirements.

For the interior spaces, the design team includes integrated beds and seating elements, arranged to orient views toward the pond. Cantilevered blocks with a blue IPS (Indian Patent Stone) finish contribute to the exterior profile while providing indoor vantage points toward the landscape and water. The spatial configuration aims to maintain continuity between natural and built environments.

pond houses crafted from earth blocks float above land and water in india - 2 — a total of six units grouped in three clusters float over the pond

pond houses crafted from earth blocks float above land and water in india - 3 — traditional Mangalore tile roof forms the outer skin

pond houses crafted from earth blocks float above land and water in india - 4 — deep front verandahs cantilever above water

pond houses crafted from earth blocks float above land and water in india - 5 — front face of the cottages overlooks the pond

pond houses crafted from earth blocks float above land and water in india - 6 — cantilevered seating spaces provide views of the pond

pond-houses-saguna-baug-india-put-your-hands-together-bioarchitects-designboom-1800-2 — raised platforms minimize impact on the pond ecosystem

pond houses crafted from earth blocks float above land and water in india - 7 — structures are constructed using 9-inch CSEB blocks from on-site earth

pond houses crafted from earth blocks float above land and water in india - 8 — reinforced concrete frame supports load-bearing earthen walls

pond houses crafted from earth blocks float above land and water in india - 9 — roof system combines a shallow brick dome and Mangalore tiles

pond-houses-saguna-baug-india-put-your-hands-together-bioarchitects-designboom-1800-3 — curved roofline complements the natural setting

pond houses crafted from earth blocks float above land and water in india - 10 — fixed furniture in the interior create different vantage points

project info:

name: Pond Houses at Saguna Baug

architect: Put Your Hands Together – BioArchitects | @pyht_bioarchitects

location: Saguna Baug, India

photographer: Amalgamate | @amlgmt

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