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    Mud House sculpted by Sketch Design Studio perches along the rocky hills of the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar

    JAN 17, 2024 | By Pratishtha Rana
    Constructed with locally sourced materials, the vernacular home seamlessly blends with its idyllic surroundings with terracotta planter from Ramgarh Clay Pottery exposed rammed earth, stone walls, lime plaster finished walls and Kota stone flooring; Styling by Raahul Kukreja, Photography by Jeevan Jyot
    The primary bedroom encased with a massive window fashions exposed stone walls and Thappi lime plaster by artisans from Sardarshahar. Vivid hued bedding by Live Linen ornaments the bed with bedside lamp from Dileep Industries pronouncing the aesthetic as well as the function of this space; Photography by Jeevan Jyot
    Soft bedding by Live Linen becomes an aesthetic company to the solid bed base with a smooth wooden surface finish in the guest bedroom. The wall outlining the bed back features exposed stone with other walls finished in Lohi lime plaster. A terracotta planter from Ramgarh Clay Pottery sits poised like an understated embellishment; Photography by Jeevan Jyot
    Moulded by Sketch Design Studio and styled by Rahul Kukreja, the abode titled Mud House, is an organic symphony in lime plastered walls, Kota stone flooring and stellar terracotta pieces from Ramgarh Clay Pottery; Photography by Jeevan Jyot

    A momentary trickle of the rains soon becomes a downpour and before you know, you’re home bound. The scent of the petrichor, cool breeze brushing the skin and the hypnotising sight of the drizzle outside the window is like encountering the bounty of earth like never before. Earth, yet again, becomes the protagonist of a home, metaphorically and literally, entitled the Mud House. Setting a proverbial precedence in exploring the efficiency of eco-conscious materials in building of modern homes, Shipra Singhania of Sketch Design Studio emerges as la créateur de l’heure (creative of the hour!) of this abode.

    Bespoke cane lamps and rugs by local artisans illuminate the common living area in rammed earth walls and Kota stone flooring. Bedding from Freedom Tree meet snug and comfy cushions from Kar Conscious Living with H&M HOME lantern. Terracotta pots from Ramgarh Clay Pottery and a rocking chair from Fabindia further enhance the textural oasis of the home in raw earthy finishes; Styling by Raahul Kukreja, Photography by Jeevan Jyot

    Trailing the panoramic scape of the rocky hills and deciduous wilderness of the Sariska Tiger Reserve, conspicuously contouring the silhouettes of the Aravalli range in Rajasthan’s Alwar district—Mud House appears like an oasis of spellbinding, soul-soothing work of design. And why not? The den drenched in hues of the terra wraps itself to the songs of its surroundings, drawing in the delicate mightiness of soil, stones and wind.

    Ensconced with an unruffled demeanour, the house stands firm in the centre of a four acre permaculture inspired farm. Enter its boundaries, a pyramid roof made of thatch reintroduces you to the organic glamour of a truly earth-bound palette.And here’s a cool scholastic part—coalescing geography and design, thatch roofs are a traditional way of keeping the indoor temperatures comfortable and controlled throughout the year.

    Continuing the organic narrative in the kitchen are wooden storage shutters, cane baskets and terracotta pottery from local artisans; Photography by Jeevan Jyot
    Moulded by Sketch Design Studio and styled by Rahul Kukreja, the abode titled Mud House, is an organic symphony in lime plastered walls, Kota stone flooring and stellar terracotta pieces from Ramgarh Clay Pottery; Photography by Jeevan Jyot

    Dwelling a modern family of two generations, the house navigates through a common living area and kitchen, into the two bedrooms, each married to its own share of landscape views, and further into an outdoor lounge and two terraces that artfully mimic the iconic stepwells of Rajasthan.

    Shipra nudges our attention to the uniqueness of the space, saying, “This house is special because of its unique construction methods that are borrowed from the times palaces and forts were built, much before concrete existed. Walls are built on earth using soil from the site mixed with natural binders like lime and fenugreek seeds. Edibles like jaggery and neem were also added to the mix acting as natural insect repellents.” Void of any semblance of clutter, the sweeping spaces of the many rooms here revel in an uninhibited silence of nature that spill from the indoors to the outdoors and vice versa.

    The primary bedroom encased with a massive window fashions exposed stone walls and Thappi lime plaster by artisans from Sardarshahar. Vivid hued bedding by Live Linen ornaments the bed with bedside lamp from Dileep Industries pronouncing the aesthetic as well as the function of this space; Photography by Jeevan Jyot

     

    Soft bedding by Live Linen becomes an aesthetic company to the solid bed base with a smooth wooden surface finishin the guest bedroom. The wall outlining the bed back features exposed stone with other walls finished in Lohi lime plaster. A terracotta planter from Ramgarh Clay Pottery sits poised like an understated embellishment; Photography by Jeevan Jyot

     

    A sweeping mirror in the bathroom frames the views of the outdoors with the terracotta planter by Ramgarh Clay Pottery; Photography by Jeevan Jyot

    “Walls are built on earth using soil from the site mixed with natural binders like lime and fenugreek seeds. Edibles like jaggery and neem were also added to the mix acting as natural insect repellents”. There’s an unabashed romance between the reclaimed stone, lime plaster walls, exposed stone walls, Kota stone floors and the decor accoutrements that dress up the space to its completion—from the locally made cane lamps, terracotta planters to the bespoke rugs crafted by local karigars.

    Echoing the artisanal techniques of masonry and sustainable living practised hundreds of years ago, Shipra rekindled the conversation on architecture layered with innuendos of terra thoroughly in the Mud House, a triumphant result of her research and discussions with the elderly masons of the community.

    Constructed with locally sourced materials, the vernacular home seamlessly blends with its idyllic surroundings with terracotta planter from Ramgarh Clay Pottery exposed rammed earth, stone walls, lime plaster finished walls and Kota stone flooring; Photography by Jeevan Jyot

     

    Thatched roof constructed by local weavers resembles the majestic Aravallis in the background, while the staircase block is constructed in exposed stone masonry along with Thappi lime plastered walls and terracotta planter from Ramgarh Clay Pottery; Photography by Jeevan Jyot

    Echoing the artisanal techniques of masonry and sustainable living practised hundreds of years ago, Shipra rekindled the conversation on architecture layered with innuendos of terra thoroughly in the Mud House, a triumphant result of her research and discussions with the elderly masons of the community.“This house is special because of its unique construction methods that are borrowed from the times when palaces and forts were built, much before concrete existed”

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