In the pursuit of sustainable and environmentally conscious architecture, Barakhadee Studio has designed a unique Pune home that employs traditional interior-architectural practices to achieve natural cooling and climate responsiveness. As the world grapples with the urgency of addressing climate change, architects like Deep Sakhare, the principal architect of Barakhadee Studio, have taken up the mantle of minimizing carbon footprints and integrating eco-friendly approaches into their designs. For Sakhare, the core client brief for designing this Pune home was to create a space rooted in tradition while embodying timeless design principles.
Nestled on Singhgad Road, Pune, Maharashtra, the project involved the transformation of a functional gym into a 1,000-square-foot 2BHK residence that seamlessly combines contemporary aesthetics with traditional elements. Sakhare explains, “The entire home has been ergonomically designed. We have executed that by giving window seating, dining corners, and using levels to bring in more seating and avoiding the use of extra furniture.” A noteworthy feature in this home is the strategic use of livestock manure, specifically cow dung, applied to the main wall of the living room. This traditional technique helps to naturally cool the space during the scorching summer days.
The open floor plan upon entering the home leads to a well-lit living room with a large window that allows ample natural light. The wall surrounding this window is made of cow dung, contributing to the home’s climate-responsive design. The living room also features a cozy seating arrangement that invokes nostalgia, with a yesteryear chest replacing the traditional coffee table to provide additional storage. The textured wall enhances the rustic ambiance of the room, juxtaposed effectively with modern finishes. Elements such as a brass candle stand and vase further contribute to the cohesive design language.
The integration of locally-sourced materials, including cane, wicker, and jute, is evident throughout the apartment. This approach not only unifies the design but also supports sustainable practices. The kitchen and dining areas are elevated from the living space, offering a heightened sense of space. The open kitchen concept is adorned with clean lines and a breakfast counter designed to represent the flow of waves and the house’s overall fluidity. The dining table, crafted entirely from wood, is surrounded by window seating that maximizes space utilization.
The bedrooms of the home exude tranquility, featuring an earthy color palette and material choices in calming greys and warm browns. The design successfully integrates the major spaces, allowing abundant natural light to filter through large windows and illuminate the entire area. Traditional design elements are infused into the bathroom, where an understated concrete finish provides a sense of timelessness. The master bedroom showcases a blend of yellow Kota stone and black basalt, harmonizing contemporary aesthetics with classic design elements.
This Pune home, meticulously designed to incorporate traditional practices for natural cooling and sustainable living, stands as a testament to the conscious approach towards architecture. As architects embrace eco-friendly practices and explore innovative ways to reduce environmental impact, projects like this Pune residence serve as inspiring examples of how tradition and modernity can coexist seamlessly in the realm of architecture.
