From Pandemic Passivity to Earthen Oasis: Building an Eco-Dream
For nearly a decade, we’d sought out unique homestays on our travels, each experience adding a brick to our dream of creating a haven far from the urban grind. Then, the pandemic hit. Forced indoors, we realized life’s brevity and decided to act on our shared dream: a sustainable farmhouse built with natural materials.
Finding the perfect plot wasn’t easy, pollution having marred many landscapes. But perseverance paid off. We discovered a breathtaking vista with a flowing river, a charming village, and an air of pristine nature.
Enter PYHT, a bio-architecture firm known for its eco-conscious designs and community engagement. Shahveer Irani and Areen Attari, the guiding lights, helped us envision a home in harmony with its surroundings. Construction began with a welcoming, round outhouse designed by Shahveer’s team, built by a local contractor using traditional techniques.
Visiting a nearby redstone quarry, however, highlighted the environmental damage caused by such excavations. Determined to minimize our impact, we faced a challenge: finding someone skilled in mud house construction, a nearly forgotten art.
Fate intervened through Nitin, our outhouse contractor, who mentioned his retired father, a former mud house builder. The mention ignited a spark in the old man’s eyes, and he eagerly joined our mission. With him as mentor and Nitin as executor, the journey began.
Sourcing soil, testing it, finding used roofing tiles and sustainably harvested wood, meticulously planning layouts, orientations, and even light fixtures – each step was an exciting adventure.
This is just the beginning of our story. Stay tuned for the continuation of our eco-dream, built with earth, passion, and the spirit of community.
