Our Featured Projects in Biophilic and Sustainable Architecture
We believe architecture is an extension of the human senses. Here is a selection of our work where we have harmonized structures with their landscapes, focusing on climate-responsive design and authentic material use.
This before and after comparison of our TARA Kotagiri resort project encapsulates our entire philosophy. We see beyond the existing structure to envision a completely new experience, transforming a simple building into an architectural form that is in dialogue with the surrounding Nilgiri hills.
The TARA resort at dusk, where carefully considered lighting highlights the new architectural forms and natural textures. We designed the pathways and structures to create a sense of discovery and privacy, crafting an immersive experience where the building settles quietly into the landscape.
A glimpse into the Vanani Farmhouse, a tranquil retreat we designed near Bannerghatta forest. This view from the interior, featuring a custom-carved wooden bench, showcases our principle of biophilic design, where every opening is a frame for the lush, natural world outside.
This is our 'Second Skin' concept applied to an urban office building. To solve the challenges of heat and privacy on a compact site, we wrapped the glass facade in a screen of clay jali blocks, creating a breathable, textured layer that mediates between the interior and the city.
A design for a community clubhouse built into a retained stone quarry. This project demonstrates our ability to blend modern, sleek forms with raw, powerful nature. The structure emerges from the rock, creating leisure spaces that feel both man-made and elemental.
The interior of a suite at the TARA resort, where earthy, mud-plastered walls create a warm and tactile environment. We focus on natural materials and craftsmanship, from the wooden furniture to the skylit bathroom, ensuring every space feels serene and deeply connected to our design principles.
The entrance to a private space at the TARA resort, framed by intricately carved wooden doors. This moment of entry is designed to be a transition, moving from the open landscape into a personal sanctuary, highlighting our use of reclaimed materials and traditional craftsmanship.
About this collection
When we look at an existing building, we look for its hidden potential rather than its faults. For us, renovation is an exercise in re-architecture. We often retain the core structural bones while introducing passive cooling elements, like clay jali screens or breathable mud-plaster finishes, to transform both the building's thermal performance and its visual language.
The Philosophy of Re-Architecture
Our approach is rooted in the belief that space must serve both the occupant and the environment. We do not believe in stripping a site to its foundation unless absolutely necessary. Instead, we practice re-architecture—a process of working with the existing fabric to improve flow, lighting, and ventilation. By using reclaimed materials like railway timber and site-specific mud, we create spaces that age gracefully and respond to the local climate.
Biophilic Design Principles
Nature is not just a backdrop for our projects; it is an active participant in our design process. In our work, such as the Vanani Farmhouse, we focus on:
- Passive Cooling: Implementing clay jali walls to reduce heat gain while maintaining privacy.
- Material Integrity: Using natural stone and lime plaster to regulate indoor temperatures.
- Integration: Ensuring every window and doorway frames the natural landscape, blurring the line between inside and out.
From Resorts to Offices
Whether we are transforming a dilapitated resort in the Nilgiris or designing a 'second skin' facade for a dense urban office, our methodology remains the same. We analyze the topography and the sun path to determine the placement of openings. We prioritize structural solutions that allow for vertical expansion while keeping the footprint minimal.
If you are considering a renovation or a new construction project, we invite you to look past the surface level. Architecture is about how a space makes you feel, and we are here to help you articulate that feeling into a built form.
Senscape
We started as a small practice eighteen years ago, guided by the belief that a building is an extension of the person living within it. Our team focuses on simplicity and practicality, ensuring every wall and window responds to the local climate and landscape.
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