Scarp Shelter

The barren site as handed over prior to designing had a steep cliff dividing the small plot (1100 sq m) in three plateaus. Ecological restoration was taken up as the priority, hence prior to the construction of the house, the designers took up the task of restoring the site, with not only fruiting trees, but a multilevel plantation of native flora thus providing the client with organic food as well. This helped in sheltering the diverse fauna of the Western Ghats and providing favourable microclimate.

The site is located at lower slopes as compared to the native tribal village that abuts it. Efforts were taken to keep the image of the house low key, so as to merge the house with the overall landscape. The views from the windows of the tribals living in the hamlet has not changed even after the construction of the house.

The house was later designed on one of the steep slopes with the intention of restricting soil erosion. The house area was kept bare minimum, to maximize the areas for ecological restoration on an otherwise barren piece of land. The architects employed only local construction techniques and local labour for the construction of the house. This would, thus help in strengthening their belief in their own architectural traditions.