Nestled on a 380 sqm plot in Nhavi Sandas, Maharashtra, India a riverside village with deep agricultural roots. Historically, the village was characterized by brick and stone courtyard homes, locally known as Wada. Over time, these were replaced by modern structures often less sustainable, more energy-intensive, and poorly adapted to the local climate. This project seeks to revive the enduring spirit of the Wada, reinterpreting its traditional form to suit contemporary ways of living while responding sensitively to the context.

Inspired by the spatial arrangement of Wada houses, this design integrates a central courtyard and verandah that serves as the heart of the home. It divides the home into public and private spaces while enhancing natural light and ventilation across 2 bedrooms, a living area, dining and kitchen. The journey begins the moment one enters the arrival court, a space enclosed by a small garden and paved with locally sourced basalt cobblestones. This intimate setting offers a moment of pause, allowing one to adjust to the scale of the house. Taking clues from traditional Wada houses, a Tulsi plant placed on a stone pedestal marks the threshold, In keeping with the vernacular sensibility, the entrance is intentionally designed with a hidden or indirect for a sense of discovery, Privacy and Safety reasons, the entrance is subtly integrated into the overall building form, unfolding gradually into the central verandah and courtyard and revealing the spatial richness within. On one side, the open living, dining, and kitchen areas are arranged to maximize social interaction, while on the other side, two bedrooms and a toilet provide a more private retreat.

In this design, circulation is reimagined as a semi-outdoor transition space in the form of a verandah, seamlessly linking rooms with nature, optimizing spatial flow, utilizing space efficiently, and enhancing climate responsiveness, all while maintaining the functionality of the design. We have used locally sourced bricks, which enhance thermal performance and help reduce heat gain. The interior walls are finished with lime plaster, chosen for its breathable, durable, and climate-responsive qualities. Together, this combination of brick and lime not only improves energy efficiency but also reflects a more sustainable and contextually rooted approach to construction.

The house’s exterior presents a bold, monolithic form, rooted in the traditional Wada aesthetic, where a solid stone base protects the brick structure above. In this reinterpretation, raw concrete forms the robust foundation, anchoring the building both visually and structurally, while exposed brickwork above celebrates material honesty and geometric simplicity. Given the site's location in a flood-prone region, a high compound wall further reinforces protection, seamlessly integrating resilience into the architectural expression. Small courtyards with planters along the boundary enhance cross-ventilation, contributing to privacy and a calming, green atmosphere. Inside, light filled interiors in fresh white tones, paired with wooden furniture and local black basalt flooring create a serene and introspective ambiance.

Ultimately, the design of this house is a sincere effort to bring the living spaces closer to nature while harmoniously blending traditional roots with modern day living needs.