Into The Wild House / Earthscape Studio

Architects: Earthscape Studio
Area: 1450 ft²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Studio IKSHA
Manufacturers: AALLS Enterprises
Lead Architect: Petchimuthu Kennedy
Construction Team: Jothi and Team
Design Team: Petchimuthu Kennedy, Shivani Saran S K, Niha Ann Baby, Sowmiya Arul
Interior Curator: Parveen Backer
Fabrication: Kumar and team
Carpentry: Karupasamy and team
Lime Plaster: Rafiq and Team
Fabrics and Chair: House of Uli
Stone Bench: Made by Aala
City: Mettupalayam
Country: India

Into The Wild House, designed by Earthscape Studio in India, is a 2BHK self-sustaining farmhouse surrounded by mountains and dense coconut and palm trees. Built on a plain 12-acre site, the design prioritizes sustainability by focusing 25% on construction and 75% on nature. Using a fold architecture technique, the 4½-inch ferrocement shell forms a flowing, column-free structure finished with thappi plaster outside and mud plaster inside, reducing carbon emissions and lowering indoor temperatures by up to 3°C. The lush 7½-foot landscape cools the house and provides structural support. Curved spaces create a cave-like experience, with low-level windows bringing in cool air and vents releasing hot air to enhance natural ventilation. A central courtyard allows natural light and airflow, while a linear bar opening offers views of the trees. All furniture, made from scrap wood and site-sourced stone, is custom-built to fit the house’s organic forms, blending luxury with sustainability.

Situated on a plain site with panoramic views of mountains and dense woods of coconut and palm trees, the plot itself lacks distinct terrain or landscape features. As part of a larger 12-acre development owned by the client, the surrounding environment is similarly flat and uniform. This context guided the design approach toward creating a structure that respects and integrates with nature. The architects prioritized a balance of 25% construction and 75% nature, ensuring that the building would engage meaningfully with its surroundings. In their view, sustainability extends beyond merely planting trees—it involves how the structure interacts with its natural environment. Therefore, the design focused on employing construction techniques that minimize carbon emissions and reduce environmental impact.

The structure is designed as a self-sustaining form that folds and flows in a fluid manner, a technique referred to by the architects as fold architecture. The building’s 4½-inch-thick shell bends into a series of arches, constructed with ferrocement and coated with thappi plaster on the exterior and mud plaster on the interior. This shell functions without the need for columns or beams, relying entirely on its curved, self-supporting design for stability.

The use of mud in construction is more than just a material choice; it represents a connection to craftsmanship and the artisans who shape it. In this project, traditional Indian lime plasters are applied seamlessly across the floors and built-in furniture, creating a smooth, luxurious finish throughout the interior spaces. This application also helps reduce indoor temperatures by approximately 3°C (5.4°F) compared to the outside. Surrounding the structure is a 7½-foot-tall verdant landscape with lush grass that wraps around the building. In the area’s high humidity, this greenery plays a dual role: it lowers indoor temperatures and serves as an additional structural element, reinforcing the stability of the building.

This 2BHK farmhouse is designed with folds and curves that create unique spatial experiences throughout the structure. The circular transitions between spaces evoke curiosity and make each area feel like a discovery. The flowing forms of the architecture resemble the experience of entering a cave, adding a raw, natural quality to the house. Windows at the lower level open to sylvan views, allowing cool air to flow into the interiors. Vent openings protruding from various points in the structure enable hot air to escape, creating a stack effect that enhances natural ventilation. These vents also create a dramatic interplay of light and shadow inside the house, adding to the dynamic atmosphere. A linear opening at the bar offers a panoramic view of the surrounding tall coconut and palm trees, further strengthening the house’s connection to its natural surroundings.

The central courtyard connects to the interior spaces through a series of small and large openings, allowing natural light and ventilation to flow throughout the house. These openings create a sense of seamless transition between open and semi-open areas, enhancing the spatial experience. The architects emphasize that interior design is not simply about purchasing and arranging furniture but about crafting elements that respond to the space and its unique form.

All the furniture is custom-built to fit the unique shapes and curves of the space, with elements such as beds, cushions, and fabrics tailored to match the organic flow of the architecture, creating a sense of understated luxury. The bed, bar counter, pantry, and seating are crafted with arise finishes, adding a refined, handcrafted touch to each area. The bathrooms feature a rising finish, which provides natural, chemical-free waterproofing. Sustainable practices are evident in the use of scrap wood for doors, benches, and cabinets, while stone door handles and benches are hand-carved on-site using locally sourced stone. The exterior is wrapped in lush green foliage, blending the house with its natural surroundings and creating the feel of a garden on the outside and a home on the inside.