Heavenly Mud Dwelling : Rishikesh’s Multi-National Homestay
In the heart of Rishikesh’s mountainous landscape, siblings Ansh and Raghav Kumar manifest a dream – A hand-sculpted sanctuary defying conventional aspirations. This architectural marvel not only embodies design enchantment but also serves as a beacon of cultural convergence.
Amidst the pandemic, Ansh and Raghav Kumar’s introspection led to action. Inspired by nature’s architects, they embarked on a design journey in 2020. After years in conventional architecture and freelancing art, Raghav and Ansh unite strength. Their Tiny Farm Fort emerges, a beacon of sustainable design in a remote Indian village.
“In our student days, we admired renowned architects renowned for their grand designs,” as per Raghav. Yet their design journey took a different route, inspired by innovators like Didi Contractor and Yasmeen Lari, who prioritize indigenous materials and wisdom.
The negative perception surrounding mud houses and indigenous materials has diminished their architectural value. This bias often leads communities to favor cement structures, mistakenly associating them with progress, overlooking the sustainable and culturally rich aspects of traditional building materials.
Listed on a design platform, the project attracted global volunteers seeking immersive experiences. Over 547 days, 90 individuals from 18 countries came together, exchanging their skills to shape the house, epitomizing the spirit of collaborative design.
The design incorporates a living garden on its exterior, not just for cooling but also to harmonize with the surroundings, blurring the line between built and natural. Thousands of meticulously placed stones fortify the walls of the Tiny Farm. The product is akin to a fairytale dwelling, shaped by hand and inspired by the philosophy articulated in a book by Ianto Evans, Linda Smiley, and Michael Smith, igniting their creativity.
Reflecting on their hands-on experience, Ansh emphasizes embracing the journey. Today, their home operates as a B&B, fostering a diverse community of conscious travelers. Ansh and Raghav are dedicated to local ecotourism training and advocating for accessible, sustainable living through mud house construction. In this narrative, design innovation intersects with community empowerment and environmental stewardship.
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