Outhouse, Alibaug |
Project Area : 2 acres
‘Villa Vanilla,’ a private property in the coastal town of Alibaug looks out to the beach and its quaint fishing hutments, offering breathtaking vistas of the sun setting into the Arabian sea.
The key intention whilst designing this linear plot was to connect individuals to nature by fostering a symbiotic relationship between the built form and the landscape. Instead of felling the existing indigenous coconut palms onsite to create a blank slate, the trees have been respected, and the entire layout has been dictated by their towering presence.
A sunken seating area is comfortably wedged between the linear pool and an angular, asymmetrical pond. Adjacent to it stands a glorious frangipani whose gnarled form lends a sculptural quality to the space.
A wooden plank has been laid across the water channel in a devil-may-care fashion; walking over it, one has a transient experience reminiscent of being in a luxury resort in Bali or the backwaters of Kerala, South India.
The foliage, the calming presence of water, and the light-colored Shabad stone hardscaping all contribute to the creation of a cool microclimate.
The site is designed with an innate sensitivity towards ecology, respect for existing biodiversity, and consideration of water management needs. The driveway, made entirely of gravel, maximises rainwater infiltration, recharging groundwater storage and reducing surface runoff, which contributes to local flood mitigation. Lawn space occupies less than twenty percent of the site area – not only is this a key water conservation strategy, but it also promotes soil health and diversity.
Every year, the spring and summer months are eagerly awaited for profusions of bougainvillea to add a blast of fuschia to the white canvas that is the built form. The planting palette consists of a rich mix of tropical favourites- philodendrons and monstera rest in the shade, whilst tall, fragrant blades of pandanus, dainty white crinum lilies and champas, and vibrant bracts of heliconia bask in the sun.
Image Credits : Gajendra Mandrekar
