studio PKA builds '5 element house' to the contours of the land in india

studio PKA has designed the ‘5 element house‘ atop a hill in pavana, india. the concept behind the project is rooted in the idea of combining the five elements of earth, sky, air, water and fire, to create a family home. the design of the house aims to create harmony within the landscape by being built to the contours of the land.

aerial view of the house

all images courtesy of studio PKA

the textured and muted colors of the walls intend to create an earthy tone, which not only blends in with the landscape but also gives the impression of a mass that has grown and emerged from the land. the house is designed by studio PKA to follow the lay of the land, with each level responding to the contour of the hills – resulting in a dynamic and playful mix of risers and landings. following the profile of the roofs, large areas of glazing are implemented to bring in daylight and gain impressive views of the outdoors.

the guest block

a simple and earthy palette of materials and tones has been specified to complement the site. a combination of limestone, sandstone, slate, teak wood, terracotta tiles, exposed brick, cement plaster and mild steel are used to respect the natural surroundings. the living area acts as the fulcrum of the house, asserting itself as the warm welcoming safe haven, while the remaining three zones provide privacy. there is also an external courtyard nestled between the blocks. this space is envisioned as an informal yet deeply personal space for the family of four – a place for quiet contemplation as well as invigorating conversation and bringing residents together.

view of the master block

view of the living block and pool

the entrance

the connection between indoors and outdoors

the living space with framed views

the dining area

the living space

view from the master block

view of the courtyard

the roof profiles

project info:

project name: 5 element house

architect: studio PKA

principal architect: puran kumar

design team: preethi krishnan, sonali nimbalkar, revina soni

project location: pavana, maharashtra, india

completion year: 2017

gross area: 10,000 sq. ft.

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom