The Palmyra House

ARC1013 Explorations in Making Architecture

Shania Mlengah
240423870

1
2
Table of contents

Context 4

Light and Timber 6

Graphical Analysis 13

Reflective Summary 16

List of figures / Bibliography 17

3
Context furniture placed within
this project allows for a
Palmyra House was a more open space
retreat finished in 2007 reflecting the outside
by the Studio Mumbai nature and being less
architects, found distributive to the
outside of Mumbai on beautiful views that can
the Arabian Sea1. The be looked for outside.
refuge features two The Palmyra House is
rectangular, two-storey built on a functioning
building that are slightly coconut plantation site
skew from one another in Nandagon, “the
featuring a pool centred house offers dramatic
between the north and views of the Indian
south buildings (Figure Ocean and was
1.). Built from ain wood situated to disturb as
– a local hardwood - little as possible the
using traditional joinery densely planted palms
techniques. on the 1-acre plot.” The
Construction primarily architects wanted to
consists of locally create a sustainable
sourced natural home, sourcing local
materials such as materials, and building
timber, concrete and the house by hand to
stone which perfectly minimise its footprint
harmonises with the and to be able to
surrounding greenery. preserve as many trees
The use and placement as possible, yet also
of the timber exudes a allowing for a project
minimalistic design yet that allures to the past
making the house of the land that it is built
seem more comforting on and still being able
and liveable to these to have that part of its
whom seek it. history captured within
Furthermore, the this retreat.
minimal amount of
1
ArchDaily (2010) [Accessed
10th December 2024]

4
Figure 1. Exterior of
houses

5
Light and Timber to access more natural
light in comparison to
Natural light is a key resorting to artificial
aspect of the Palmyra light is not only better
House, with wide open for the achievement of
facades across the less negative impact to
building (Figure 2.) it the surrounding
allows for less light environment but also
pollution and a greater contributes to boosting
access to sunlight a person vitamin D
within it. The location of intake, improves the
the house is based quality of sleep, and
within Alibag India, reduces the health risks
which has an estimated associated with
amount of daylight fluorescent lights.
being approximately 11
hours, with the hot The Palmyra House
season from March had taken into
until May and a cooler consideration the
season between destruction of the
December and environment
January2 Due to this it surrounding, by its aim
allows for there to be to not remove as many
an extra layer of depth coconut trees as
within the project that possible but to be able
cannot be captured to have them still
from just the framework enclosing the building
alone. (Figure 3.) to be able to
shelter and shade it
“‘Light is a primary from any harsh weather
material’- the role that conditions that may
light, natural and approach it. Similarly, it
artificial, plays in the manages to combat
overall mise-en-scène- concerns of human
and the overall thesis of wellbeing whilst being
the work” 3 . Being able able to visit the house
“Many statements on
2
Nomadseasonn.com. project(s) reflect a
(2024) consistent concern for
3
Steane, M.a. (2012)
6
how light affects being rectangular in
visitors’ impressions.” 3. shape it also plays into
the aesthetic of the
Focusing on the house – being able to
building holding the construct different
master bedroom, it has rectangular shapes
an open balcony which throughout the building
overlooks the study – breaks down the
(Figure 4&5.) that has simple shape into
large glass windows different repetitive
that draw in the arrangements
sunlight; by doing this it throughout. Whilst
can increase the mood windows allow for
of a person by waking natural light to be able
up to a beautiful to enter the house they
sunrise enraptured by also contribute to the
nature. Furthermore, incorporation allowing
within the bathroom or excluding of the
there is an open ceiling sounds of nature, “The
within the over hanging opening of windows an
shower (Figure 5.), important play of
which draws light into secondary surfaces is
the bathroom without begun, releasing
having to put windows rhythms, dimensions,
on the walls which may tempos of architecture
be regarded as an … inside the house and
invasion of privacy. outside” 4 , which sets
Continually, windows up a sense of familiarity
also play a role in of the surroundings or
letting natural light be being able to get the
incorporated into comfort of a silencer
structures (Figure 6.). retreat.
They add another layer Wood is the main
to the building, letting sourced material for
the interior and exterior this project, all wood
environment be able to seen in the house is
come together with one
another. Due to 4
Menges, A., Schwinn, T., and
windows also typically
Oliver David Krieg (2016)
7
locally sourced and both the flexibility of
hand crafted leading to robotic manipulation
less damaging impacts and its capacity for
left on the environment. precise spatial
Wood is a common positioning”4. Whilst
material that has been timber is a great natural
used for centuries material, tough and
within housing, the use rigid, the natural fluid
of wood in the house shapes that are found
may also be in in the nature around
remembrance of the the building - in the
earlier ways houses sea, leaves and varying
were designed and is to tree size - is not able to
showcase the be replicated in the
developments in the house, and can only be
technologies and skill confined to a simple
case of the wood cubic shape.
industry and carpentry
and also showing the “The inspiration came
from this obsession of
natural approach
inhabiting a coconut
architecture is able to
grove and a passion for
take. the coconut palm
Whilst being built out of trees”5, creating a
dwelling in a coconut
natural materials the
plantation and taking
Palmyra house is
inspiration from the
presented in an wood and natural form
unnatural shape, two is the biggest factor
large over-looking within the Palmyra
rectangular structures House. The Palmyra
that are placed within a tree is a populated
coconut plantation, palm tree within the
“Material-specific and area, which also has
constructive aspect of similarities to the
timber assembly are coconut trees also
combined in a found, by drying and
continuous digital cutting this Mumbai
Studios architects were
design and
manufacturing process
5
taking advantage of India (2024)
8
able to create the
louvers. Throughout the
entire enclosure the
louvers were
strategically angled
downwards from inside
to outside – allowing for
natural ventilation to
occur.

Furthermore, the
building being enclosed
within coconut trees
made for the worst of
weather to not harshly
affect it. However, due
to the fixed open`
louvers, mosquitoes
and other such insects
are able to be an issue
for guests at dusk.
Contrarily, due to the
open façade of the
building, it opens
contact for residents to
connect with their
senses of nature, with
sound and smell being
prominent.6

6
Low. K. (2005)
9
Figure 2. Exterior

Figure 3. Exterior

10
Figure 4. View from master
bedroom

Figure 5. View from

room

11
Figure 6. Master
bedroom bathroom

Figure 7. Over head

shower

12
 Graphical Analysis

Figure 8.

Abov
Palmyra house is a 3,000 square foot property that is and b
accessible by foot, roughly 165 feet from the road.

Figure 10.
Figure 9.

13
Figure 12. Figure 13.

Figure 12&13 are hand drawings of the layout of the

house and how the louvers look in person, and how
the coconut tress are still able to be prominently
shown even through the building.

14
Reflective natural sound to flow
Summary throughout the house.

The use of the two

In summary, this essay
opposing houses is
has analysed the use of
able to exemplify the
light and timber
different uses of each
incorporated within the
house, with the one
house and how the
home used primarily for
combination of the two
relaxation, with the
is able to create a more
kitchen and lounge
sustainable facility, able
area, and the other a
to shelter people from
more focused and
climate changes – such
engaged environment,
as rain and winds –
with the study and
whilst being able to
living area.
provide an
accommodation or
people to stay in. It has
kept protection from
any moisture damage
due to it being
absorbed by the
coconut trees whilst
also protecting the
building from the harsh
sunlight, due to it being
so close to the equator.
The interior design
found within the house
of a green finish,
exposed timber and
concrete with sand
incorporated are able to
display the harmonies
of the exterior, warrants
a greater sense of
familiarity when the
open wood allows for

15
List of figures

Figures 1,3,4,5,6,7,9 & 10: Inhabitat.com. (n.d.). Palmyra House by Studio

Mumbai. [online] Available at: https://inhabitat.com/palmyra-house-by-studio-
mumbai/.

Figure 8: the.akdn. (n.d.). Palmyra House - AKDN. [online] Available at:

https://the.akdn/en/how-we-work/our-agencies/aga-khan-trust-culture/akaa/

palmyra-house.

Figure 12: ArchDaily. (2020). Gallery of Palmyra House / Studio Mumbai - 9.

[online] Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/62136/palmyra-house-studio-

mumbai/50091b5028ba0d27a700184a-palmyra-house-studio-mumbai-photo

[Accessed 8 Jan. 2025].

Figure 13:https://www.facebook.com/archilovers (2025). Palmyra House - Picture

gallery 2. [online] Archilovers. Available at:
https://www.archilovers.com/projects/61403/palmyra-house-gallery?435580
[Accessed 8 Jan. 2025].

Reference list
1. ArchDaily. (2010). Palmyra House / Studio Mumbai.
[online] Available at:
https://www.archdaily.com/62136/palmyra-house-studio-
mumbai.
2. Nomadseason.com. (2024). Monthly climate in Alibag,
Maharashtra, India. [online] Available at:
https://nomadseason.com/climate/india/maharashtra/alib
ag.html
3. Steane, M.A. (2012). The Architecture of Light : Recent
Approaches to Designing with Natural Light. Hoboken:
Taylor and Francis. [page 222-223]
4. Menges, A., Schwinn, T. and Oliver David Krieg (2016).
Advancing Wood Architecture. Routledge. [page 29]
5. India (2024). 2010 Aga Khan Award for Architecture,
Shortlist - Palmyra House, India. [online] YouTube.
Available at: https://youtu.be/9GYwY5ZB8fc?
si=Mj7cZZt1neAE7_0N [Accessed 8 Jan. 2025].
6. Low, K. (2005). 2010 On Site Review Report. [online]
Available at:
http://www.landscape.cn/special/Aga-Khan/images/r12.p
df. 16
17