The Mango House is the physical manifestation of a quest to connect with the natural environment. The essence of design here is simplicity in thought and expression through the form, material, and décor of the structure. The organic nature of construction successfully connects the outside with the inside and thus manages to convey an earthy feel through its free-flowing plan. The house is a blend of various elements & building materials that are ‘azonic’, lending simplicity to the design.
© Amit Pasricha
Since mango trees dominated the plot, the house clearly gets its definition from them to ensure that the basic value of being organic or adopting green culture was exercised. These 70-80-year-old inhabitants of the plot became the deciding and guiding factors for the design and concept for the house.The mango trees in the north, south and east directions demarcated the boundary of the house. The aim was to be able to view the surrounding landscape from any point within the above – along with the north-south as well as the east-west axes. This led to an entrance on all four sides for an uninterrupted view of the verdant soft scape outside.
© Amit Pasricha
There were some certainties that were a given – the entrance to the north; as there was space for a driveway, and the kitchen to the east; to catch the early morning sun. There was a need for a balance between the open and covered spaces. With the restrictions imposed by the trees on the construction, the only solution was to go a level up but stay true to the village like feel.
© Amit Pasricha
Creating volume was an important aspect of the structure and with the sloping roof one gets about 35 feet at the highest point. This is emphatically accentuated at the suspended staircase as it sweeps up to the first floor. A skylight here and another over the dining area allow light to filter in and underscore the feeling of vastness.
Project Info:
Architects: Studio PKA
Country: India, Alibag
Area: 6000 ft²
Year: 2015
Photographs: Amit Pasricha
Manufacturers: Saint-Gobain, Kohler, Legrand / Bticino
Lead Architects: Puran Kumar, Nidhi Kanoi
HVAC Consultants: Advent Engineers
Landscape Consultants: JKD HortiTech
Civil Consultants: Mehta Associates
Structural Consultants: Mehta Associates
Hadeer Shahin is the Built Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she curates innovative architectural works from around the globe. With a background in architecture from Alexandria University and hands-on experience in design and digital content, she bridges the gap between technical precision and editorial vision. Hadeer’s keen eye for spatial storytelling and her passion for contemporary design trends make her a vital contributor to Arch2O’s mission of highlighting excellence in the built environment.