Outhouse, Alibaug |
Project Area : 2 acres
An informal path of natural stone laid loosely on gravel, lined by palms such as Rhaphis and Kentia leads up to the house. The sinuous form of Frangipani replete with its dainty white flowers frames the open architecture of the home. An al fresco dining area is tucked away amidst rich foliage. Metal urns and boulders are strategically placed across the site as interstitial elements that forge a seamless blend between the softscape and hardscape. Profusions of white bougainvillaea change the character of the site from spring through to late summer.
Dense foliage hugs the pool, creating an idyllic setting for meditative swims immersed in nature, where one can truly reconnect with the elements. The specimen plant here is the highly underrated Polypodium fern. A sculptural log-like form is littered by the pool, augmenting the organic, carefree, and earthy quality of the space.
The backyard hosts a unique composition of gravel paths leading through a labyrinth of low lying grass mounds. At the heart of this layout lies a cosy rectangular sunken pavilion accompanied by a narrow water body. The hardscaping in the back garden comprises of entirely permeable materials that allow rainwater to infiltrate into the soil, increasing groundwater stores, reducing stormwater runoff, and mitigating local flood risk.
The courtyard of the home hosts a miniature version of the gravel and grass mound landscape outside, blurring the rigid boundaries between interior and exterior.
Ultimately, the project subscribes to principles of sustainability whilst exemplifying the carefree aesthetic that defines modern tropical living.
Image Credits : Gajendra Mandrekar
