Designed by Shriya Parasrampuria and Prashant Dupare of Blurring Boundaries, this sustainable Asmalay House in India integrates five mango trees, upcycled tiles, marble, and locally sourced bricks, promoting eco-friendly living.

Ajay Gharat, an Ayurvedic doctor, designed a nature-inspired home for his family, prioritizing a space where they could live in harmony with the environment. Built as a second home for him, his wife, and children, the design reflects Gharat commitment to nature, ensuring a home where they could feel free and connected to the natural world.

Determined to create a natural paradise, Ajay Gharat searched for an architect whose vision aligned with his. His search led him to Shriya Parasrampuria and Prashant Dupare, the Mumbai-based architects behind Blurring Boundaries, whose design philosophy resonated with his desire for a nature-centric home.

“My philosophy and ideas matched perfectly with what the duo and their firm stood for,” Ajay Gharat shares. “It took one and a half years for the home to be ready.”

Preserving Mango Trees and Greenery in Pen, Raigad

Ajay owned a plot of land in Pen, Raigad, which he envisioned transforming into a home. Upon visiting the site, architects Shriya Parasrampuria and Prashant Dupare were struck by its natural beauty.

“The property had abundant greenery and five mango trees. While designing the house, we made sure not to disturb the mango trees. Our goal was to create a home that flowed seamlessly through the land, maximizing the space while preserving the surrounding nature,” explains Prashant.

The studio paid attention to the existing mango trees on the plot and placed the curved brick walls around them to design interior spaces. 

The home features an open floor plan with interconnected spaces, offering versatility and flexibility. Each area transitions seamlessly into the next, creating a harmonious and functional living environment.

“Given the limited size of the land and the clients desire for a backyard for organic farming, we aimed to make the most of every inch and corner,” says Shriya. “The open floor plan allowed us to create more space for the kids to run around.”

The two-bedroom home features a dining area, kitchen, and hall, designed with earthy tones and natural materials, reflecting Ajay vision for a nature-inspired living space.

When asked about the name of the house, "Asmalay," Ajay explains its significance: “Our house isnt square or rectangular; its design is uneven, giving it a unique rhythm. This uniqueness holds three meanings.”

“First, Asma means uneven, and laya refers to flow or rhythm, which reflects the houses design. Second, in Marathi, Asma means ours and alai means house, symbolizing our house. Lastly, if written in English as A S S M, it represents our family: Ajay (me), Swara (my wife), Megha (our elder child), and Swaraj (our younger child). The A A comes from Chakla, tying it all together. Isnt that sweet?” he smiles.

Minimizing Carbon Footprint

“When the architects were designing the place, I mentioned that I did not want to use cement, or at least wanted its use to be minimal,” shares Ajay.

And that is exactly what the architects delivered.

“In this project, we chose to minimize the use of cement and opted for locally-sourced bricks. This decision was made to reduce the carbon footprint during the construction process,” shares Shriya.

The home features naturally shaped arches, intricately carved brick walls, and large windows that seamlessly blend the indoor and outdoor spaces.

"We felt that the materiality of bricks allowed natural light to act as a sculpting element, creating dramatic shadows and highlighting the buildings curves and contours," shares Shriya.

Another standout feature of the home is its unique roof. “The north-facing ferro-cement roof was carefully designed to accommodate existing trees, whose horizontal canopies provide natural shading, eliminating the need for air-conditioning. As architects, we aimed to reduce the reliance on mechanical ventilation as much as possible,” says Shriya.

The choice to use locally-sourced brick and stone was intentional, offering a blend of earthy colors that harmonize with the vibrant greenery surrounding the property.

“We intentionally left the brick exposed to showcase its natural beauty,” says Prashant.

A highlight of the home is the load-bearing glass wall along the staircase. “We asked the client to collect waste beer bottles for the structure. The idea was to incorporate upcycled materials into the home. The bottles were transformed into a stunning wall, and when the sun sets, the light passes through, creating a beautiful glow,” explains Shriya.

In an effort to minimize waste, the architects also used leftover materials to craft furniture. “The beds and benches are made from bricks and are permanent fixtures. This not only helped reduce waste but also gave the home a more earthy, clean look,” says Prashant.

Ajays favorite feature of the house? The process of sourcing materials. “It took several visits to scrap dealers, but it was worth it in the end,” he says.

Sustainable Design and Natural Cooling

“We ensured that there was no waste during the construction process. We utilized every bit of material we used. The foundation is made with stone, eliminating the need for steel. We also upcycled tiles and waste marble chips for the flooring,” shares Shriya.

The property has now become the loving home of Ajays family. After nearly 1.5 years of sketching, designing, and constructing, the house was completed at a cost of around Rs 45 lakh.

“The best part about the house is that all the planning, the incorporation of nature, and the large windows have made the home 3-4 degrees cooler. The area tends to get quite hot in the summer, but you can immediately feel the difference in temperature when you enter the house,” Ajay points out.

Edited by Gayathri