rammed earth walls build this tropical retreat with waterfalls in india

architecture studio morphlab has introduced the ‘shift-ing earth’ project, a synthesis of ideas materialized in the form of a residence, set in the middle of a dense forest in india. the house design responds to the aesthetic and environmental context of the site, sparking a conversation between architecture and nature.

semi-open living area with skylight

all images courtesy of morphlab

identifying some of the main contextual parameters of the site, morphlab, synthesized an algorithm that can be applied to different environments, producing different outcomes. the architects considered factors like sun, wind and vistas in order to generate design alternatives, which are all based on the core concept of the project; a building that pivots around a tree, with its spaces shifting and stacking around it responding to its immediate context.

passage overlooking the courtyard

all living and outdoor spaces were planned with a water body around them, providing relief and comfort from the tropical climate. a stone pathway leads through the greens and bridges over the water body at the front of the house, leading to the entrance. a minimal door in corten steel separates the outside from the inside. as one pauses at the entrance, water cascading into the front creates almost a therapeutic sound. stepping down to the underground pool area, one can see the open sky again.

steps leading to partially underground pool

living spaces overlook the pool area where water from the front of the house pours down into the pool connecting the outside to the inside both in physical and experiential way. part of the pool area retains the natural rock found during the excavation process. all bedrooms are placed towards SW of the house aligning with the incident wind direction helping to provide cooling & minimizing need for mechanical cooling.

living spaces overlooking the pool

the existing tree used as a pivotal element is an attempt to conserve the existing habitat, minimizing construction impact. earth excavated from the construction process is rammed into formwork to make the walls that resemble a section of sedimentary rock revealing deposition of time. the use of rammed earth as the main material promotes a sustainable building practice. oxidizing corten steel panels provide protection to the upper bedrooms directly exposed to weathering factors, while the living areas are opened out to look over the surrounding forest. with an inside-out approach, core materials used to construct the house bare themselves as the finishing textures.

view from the entrance

masterplan of the township

first floor plan

variable outputs based on different parameters

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom