hut to hut project in kumta, india supports eco tourism

‘hut to hut project’ by rintala eggertsson architects, kumta, india image © pasi aalto all images courtesy of rintala eggertsson architects

a team led by oslo-based rintala eggertsson architects constructed the ‘hut to hut’ project, a pair of prototype huts in the city of kumta, within the state of kanataka, india. the group included professionals from many fields, students and volunteers organized by the panchabhuta conservation foundation whom came together to address the growing issues of commercial tourism and resulting impacts upon the environment. to the east of the 14 kilometer long coastal site, a 1600 kilometer long mountain range is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world exhibiting over 5,000 species of flowering plants, 139 mammal species as well as 508 types of birds and 179 types of amphibians, highlighting the importance to protect the area.

in similar locations of the western ghats, villages and untouched scenery are being replaced with hotel complexes, sparking a proposal to promote eco-tourism by offering lodging which educates visitors during their travels. the initiative would instill a respect for culture and human rights while stimulating economic growth on a small scale.

two wooden structures on a stone masonry foundation image © pasi aalto

over a period of three weeks, the group began in a think tank format to generate conceptual building ideas which place the landscape as the culminating experience and then followed with construction of the structures. using renewable and local materials, the wooden pavilions were placed upon laterite stone masonry foundations. the eucalyptus framing was pre-fabricated and assembled on site. the elements were treated with cardenol, a cashew nut shell resin creating the deep reddish brown tone. woven bamboo screens the southern facades and nearby trees help adjust the micro-climate of the site. a single layer of mosquito netting enclosed the remaining elevations while openings to the north frame views of the rice paddies. white-painted corrugated aluminum roofs reflect excess solar gain.

image © pasi aalto

inside, furniture and integrated shelving walls made from plywood divide spaces while doubling as cross-bracing for the structure. one of the shelves features a steel pipe ladder to reach the upper level. local stone forms the kitchen workbenches and toilets. the plan is to use waterless toilets in future huts, using bio-digesters to generate a bi-product of fertilizers and methane gas. fertilizer is then used in the encompassing gardens for food production and the methane gas for cooking. solar panels charge the interior’s LED lighting. since local wells contain salty water, rainwater collectors will supply showers and direct solar radiation will heat the tanks. the orientation in diverse directions on the site will ideally lead to its adaption and introduction into existing situations, adding on to villages or creating one entirely.

image © pasi aalto

image © pasi aalto

image © pasi aalto

images © pasi aalto

image © pasi aalto

image © pasi aalto

image © pasi aalto

image © pasi aalto

image © pasi aalto

image © pasi aalto

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