Vernacular Homestays in Madhya Pradesh: Sustainable Design
Designing spaces that breathe with the land, built in partnership with the communities of Madhya Pradesh. We merge traditional mud architecture with modern comfort.
An exterior view of a community-built homestay, showcasing the rounded structure and traditional striped paintwork that reflects the local aesthetic. The building sits naturally in the landscape, a product of the earth it stands on.
A local woman sits proudly outside her family's homestay. The project is not just about building structures, but about empowering the community, especially women, who bring the walls to life with their artistic skills.
Every project begins with the community. Here, villagers and our team collaborate on marking the foundation for a new homestay, a crucial first step in our participatory design process where every voice contributes to the final outcome.
Local artisans and masons work on the brick and timber structure of a homestay. We prioritize using traditional building techniques and local expertise, ensuring the knowledge of generations is passed on and valued.
Community members work together to prepare the foundation, moving earth and stone by hand. This collective effort fosters a deep sense of ownership and pride in the project, creating spaces that truly belong to the people.
A close-up of a wall niche adorned with a peacock mural, a common motif in local folk art. These details, painted by the women of the family, transform a simple wall into a canvas for storytelling.
A relief carving of a tiger on a mud wall, showcasing the rich textures and artistic traditions of the region. This kind of earth art is an integral part of the homestay experience, connecting guests to the local culture and wildlife.
About this collection
Beyond just building structures, our process turns walls into stories. Notice the mud relief murals in our gallery; these aren't just decorative elements. They are created by the women of the family using local soil, rope, and organic binders. By involving them in the final finishing stages, the home becomes a direct reflection of their history and daily life rather than an architect's static imposition.
Our work in Madhya Pradesh is rooted in the belief that a building should hold meaning, not just provide a roof. When we engage in rural tourism projects, we start by sitting with the community. We conduct visioning workshops to map local skills and available materials—whether that is stone, cob, or adobe.
The Participatory Process
We do not simply hand over a blueprint. The construction is a collaborative effort between NGOs, local craftsmen, and our team. We utilize a participatory design approach because the people who live in these spaces are the ones who understand the climate, the wind patterns, and the cultural nuances best. This creates a sense of ownership that ensures the building is maintained and cherished for decades.
Materiality and Climate
The structures rely on natural materials like mud, brick, and timber. We focus on passive climate engineering, ensuring these homestays remain thermally comfortable without heavy reliance on electricity.
Beyond the Build
Each project aims to spark local employment and preserve fading traditions. By using techniques like mud wall construction and incorporating reclaimed elements—diverting waste from the 'kabadi ki dukaan'—we demonstrate that ecological architecture is not a niche luxury, but a viable, future-ready way to live. If you are looking to develop a space that honors its site and supports its community, let us talk about your vision.
Biome Environmental Solutions
We are a collective that believes architecture happens in conversation, not just on a drawing board. We work with village artisans, elders, and families to build structures that are deeply rooted in the local ecology and culture.
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