Earthy and Sustainable Homes with Soul
Building spaces that breathe, using natural materials and local craft to create homes that feel inherently alive.
Our Kaattu Veedu Guesthouse in Hosur was designed to be in dialogue with its surroundings. The structure rises from the earth, with high ceilings and large windows that frame the tranquil landscape.
We were thrilled to have this project featured on ArchDaily, where you can read more about its sustainable design philosophy.
We used sunlight as a design tool. Light filtering through the tiled roof creates a warm, ever-changing canvas of light and shadow on the earthy walls and Athangudi tile floor.
The bedroom is a serene space with exposed earth walls and a large doorway that opens to the outdoors, blurring the boundary between inside and out.
The shaded verandah is the heart of the home, featuring a simple swing and patterned brick walls. It’s a perfect spot to relax and connect with nature.
Another view of the verandah, supported by restored wooden columns from old houses in Tamil Nadu, which brings a sense of history and heritage to the design.
The ceiling in this area is made with terracotta pots used as infills in the concrete slab. This technique reduces concrete usage and provides natural insulation.
About this collection
We don't just use eco-friendly labels. We use actual earth from your site to construct walls, paired with techniques like terracotta pot infills for passive cooling. This approach lowers energy consumption while creating a living space that maintains a natural, comfortable temperature throughout the year, whether we are building a getaway in Hosur or a city residence.
Sustainability, for us, is a practice of patience and sourcing. We move away from carbon-heavy construction, opting instead for materials that belong to the land. Take our Kaattu Veedu project, for instance. By utilizing stabilized earth blocks and restoring wooden columns from traditional Tamil Nadu homes, we created a structure that fits seamlessly into the landscape.
We prioritize design decisions that pay off in the long run. Features like Athangudi tile flooring and lime plaster finishes aren't just aesthetic choices; they are durable, timeless, and require less maintenance than conventional materials. Our process involves double-height ceilings to encourage natural ventilation and strategic window placement to maximize natural light as a primary design tool.
When we plan for sustainability, we also look at the floor slab. Using terracotta pots as infills in the concrete slab is a signature method we employ to reduce concrete usage and provide thermal insulation. If you are looking for an architect who values raw textures, honest material play, and context-driven design over mass-produced trends, let's look at how we can apply these principles to your plot.
Studio XS
We are Shivani and Sucheth, the founders of Studio XS. We believe a home should feel like it grew right out of the ground, so we design with raw, local materials and a lot of patience. If you want a space that is sustainable, tactile, and full of natural light, we are the ones to chat with.
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