Mud House / Sketch Design Studio

Architects: Sketch Design Studio
Area: 2000 ft²
Year: 2021
Photographs: Jeevan Jyot
Manufacturers: Kar Conscious Living, Live Linen, Ramgarh Clay Pottery
Designer and Builder: Shipra Singhania
Structural Consultant: Mangesh Jhadav
Shoot Styling: Rahul Kukreja
Consultant: Mangesh Jhadav
City: Alwar
Country: India

Mud House, designed by Sketch Design Studio, sits on a 4-acre permaculture farm, featuring two facades with north and south entries for seasonal adaptation in Alwar’s extreme climate. The house includes two terraces with stepwell-inspired staircases and a thatched pyramidical roof made from local grasses for natural temperature control. Rammed earth walls, mixed with lime, jaggery, and neem, ensure sustainability and pest control. Reclaimed stone and Bagra, a lime byproduct, were used to reduce the carbon footprint. Inside, a double-height living room with a kitchenette opens to the farm, while local craftsmanship is highlighted through cane lamps and a traditional khaat daybed. The bedrooms, with distinct finishes of earthbag walls and reclaimed stone, focus on sustainability and traditional materials. The design reconnects architecture with the earth, using artisanal methods to promote a sustainable lifestyle.

The house is located at the center of a 4-acre permaculture-inspired farm. It features dual facades with entry doors facing both north and south. Given Alwar’s extreme climate, the north-facing spaces are more commonly used during summer, while the south patio becomes a sunbathing spot in winter. The house includes two separate terraces, with staircases inspired by Rajasthan’s step-wells, adding a playful touch. Its pyramid-shaped roof is thatched with locally sourced wild grasses, following traditional methods to maintain comfortable temperatures year-round. The walls are constructed from rammed earth using on-site mud, combined with natural binders like lime and fenugreek seeds. Additives like jaggery and neem leaves serve as natural insect repellents.

In addition to mud, reclaimed stone was used for the walls and foundations. No cement was used in the construction to minimize the carbon footprint. Instead, Bagra, a byproduct of lime kilns, was used as mortar, a sustainable technique practiced in nearby villages for centuries. The bedrooms face east and west, with windows positioned to capture optimal sunrise and sunset views. As a load-bearing structure, stone brackets were incorporated to extend cantilevers, creating larger terraces and shielding windows from rain. These brackets also serve as decorative elements, adding elegant detail to the building.

The central living room, which also includes a kitchenette, features a double-height ceiling that creates a sense of spaciousness. This room offers panoramic views of the surrounding farm from all four sides. A cluster of locally crafted cane lamps hangs from the ceiling, serving as a focal point. The entire house is designed with an emphasis on local materials and craftsmanship, exemplified by the daybed, known as a khaat, sourced from artisans who have been making these for generations. Both bedrooms have multiple windows offering farm views, with each room featuring distinct wall finishes.

One of the bedrooms, built using earthbag construction, has been finished with lime plaster. Brick powder was mixed with lime to give the walls a subtle rust hue. This traditional plastering technique, preserved by only a few artisans, involves layering and beating the plaster to remove air pockets and prevent cracking. The other bedroom is mainly constructed from reclaimed stones sourced from nearby dismantled sites. Decor and soft furnishings were carefully selected, favoring brands that support craftsmanship and sustainable materials. The tones of these accessories were chosen to complement and enhance the building’s natural color palette.

During the building process, the focus was on utilizing traditional artisanal techniques and materials as they were used centuries ago. Extensive research and conversations with elderly masons provided the knowledge needed to construct the house. The project reflects a commitment to reconnecting architecture with the Earth through sustainable materials and practices, promoting a lifestyle in harmony with nature.