The Making Of: A Glimpse from the Site
Building is a dialogue between materials and the land. These images document our process, from initial site studies and preserving existing trees to the skilled craftsmanship of our stonemasons.
An aerial drone shot of our Karjat residence under construction, showing the project's stunning location by a river. The video captures the raw beauty of the site and the initial stages of the structure taking form within the forest.
A view of the Karjat residence during construction, with a worker standing on a cantilevered balcony. This image captures the dynamic form of the house as it begins to emerge from the scaffolding, reaching out into the surrounding forest.
The cantilevered balcony at our Karjat residence, seen from another angle during construction. The steel framework is exposed, showing the structural logic that allows the house to have such a light and adventurous presence in the landscape.
The Karjat residence enveloped in scaffolding, with a large tree framing the view. The image highlights the verticality of the design and its close relationship with the natural elements on site, even during the messy process of construction.
The steel staircase of the Karjat residence being installed next to a large mango tree. This juxtaposition shows our commitment to preserving the natural landscape, designing the structure to weave around and coexist with the existing trees.
A progress shot from our Karjat residence, documenting the construction of jack arches in brickwork. This traditional building technique adds both structural integrity and a beautiful, rhythmic texture to the vaulted ceilings.
A view from inside the Karjat residence during construction, looking out through a space where a jack arch roof meets a stone wall. A young tree is carefully preserved, growing up through a planned opening in the structure.
The interplay of materials at the Karjat site, with gabion walls and newly constructed brick jack arches. The view from the site looks out over the landscape, a constant reference point for the design.
The construction of the vaulted brick ceilings at the Karjat residence. This image shows the craftsmanship involved in laying the jack arches, a technique that is both beautiful and structurally efficient.
Workers carefully constructing the brick jack arch roofs at the Karjat residence. This image captures the human element of the building process, highlighting the skill and labor that go into creating these handmade structures.
About The Making Of: A Glimpse from the Site
We do not simply hand over drawings and leave. Our method requires active site supervision, where we work alongside carpenters and masons to build complex elements like brick jack arches. This hands-on approach allows us to make real-time decisions, ensuring the structure adapts to the existing trees and slope of your land, rather than forcing the topography to accommodate a rigid plan.
Architecture is rarely about the final image you see in a magazine. It is about the mud, the scaffolding, and the quiet decisions made while standing on site. When we approach a plot, we look for the natural orders already present. In our Karjat residence project, this meant working around mature mango trees rather than clearing them. The structural logic, such as the use of brick jack arches for roofing, serves both a functional and aesthetic purpose, providing natural insulation and a rhythmic texture that concrete slabs cannot replicate.
We prioritize what we call 'forensic site study.' This involves mapping sun paths, wind directions, and the history of the land itself. For our Alibaug residence, this resulted in open-air corridors and stone walls that act as thermal mass, keeping the home cool throughout the year. We avoid fake cladding or aesthetic layers that serve no purpose. Instead, we use materials like basalt stone and reclaimed wood because they belong to the region and age gracefully. Whether we are restoring a heritage structure in Mumbai or building a new home from the ground up, the process remains one of discovery. We act as custodians of the land, using traditional techniques that respect the climate and the spirit of the place.
Malik Architecture
I see architecture as a quiet conversation between the land, spirit, and people. My work isn't about imposing a style; it is about listening to the site and letting the building emerge from its own natural order.
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