The House in a Beach Garden used to be segregated from its seafront by a tall boundary wall. It separated the property both physically and visually from the much coveted coastline of the Mumbai bay. A missed opportunity. 

Therefore the first and most important intervention was to lift the garden up 5 feet above the existing level, such that the house, the garden and the top of the boundary wall, were all aligned in one level. The framework of the house was unfortunately in such a bad shape that it had to be demolished. However we based the outline of the new house on the existing structure, such that we could reuse the foundation. Additionally all demolition material was re-used to raise the garden, such that no material had to go to a landfill.

The Garden

On arrival one walks up a gentle set of stairs along a carefully crafted low basalt masonry wall to reach the top level of the garden. The masonry planter bed flourishes with ecologically grown vegetables. With the house on one side and the pool in front on the other side, one catches a glimpse of the shimmering sea beyond.

By placing the 20 meter long swimming pool in the direction of the sea and just above the boundary wall, it enjoys a seamless visual transition from the reflective pool surface to the ocean. A row of palm trees carefully flank the pool on the left side, creating a shady, breezy spot. Despite the earth fill surrounding them, our team was able to retain them. Since conical brick wells surround the base of the palm trees, and keep the earth away, they can continue to breath. It avoids them from being suffocated. Simple tree gratings made of leftover rebars, prevent those wells from becoming dangerous pits. The right side of the pool has a different character. Here, the landscape falls away covered with wild naturalist, grassy vegetation to the palm orchard. 

One enters the house from the generous 4 meter deep verandah that faces the garden and ocean. The living room and dining room on the ground floor opens up to this verandah with glazed timber double doors. Similarly at the back of the house it opens to a large timber deck that extends into the palm orchard.

Skylight

From the centre of the house, a double height space leads a staircase up to the upper floor. A solid steel panel folds around as a railing. A skylight facing north animates the light that filters through into the living room downstairs. This skylight is dimensioned exactly to 5×2 solar panels that electrify the house.

External Screens

In order to make the most of the scenic views from the site, the upper floor composes of panoramic windows. The external faces of all the bedrooms can open up with glass sliding windows. On the West side, they open out to the expansive views of the sea, the beach and the pool. On the East a suspended bedroom enters the striking palm orchard within which the house nestles. Sliding screens made of aluminium strips wrap around the upper floor as a second skin. While they provide privacy and create beautiful shadows through the day, they can also slide way completely to relish in uninterrupted views of the surrounding.

Before and After

Aerial View

The landscape and access around the house are strategically integrated with the level of the existing plinth that is retained, the height of which allows for an interesting play of levels, from the road to the house. Steps integrated into the landscape ascend along the third edge, leading to the deck and the swimming pool. 

Wedelia creepers cover the soil across the steps. Tall grass and dense plantation along the long pool soften its edge. 

The verandah of the house enjoys the sunset view across the bay

Slatted screens shade the bedrooms on the upper floor. At the same time they can slide away for an uninterrupted view of the sea.

A folded steel plate forms a soft edge of the railing of the staircase.

Locally sourced cane lights fill the double height space of the living room staircase.

A continuous play of light animates the polished cement walls.

Detail of the folded steel railing.

Before and After

Drawings

Section AA

Ground Floor Plan

First Floor Plan