Indian practice Studio MOB has completed “A House in the Farm,” a modern farmhouse located in Coimbatore, India, featuring intersecting concrete blocks and sheltered spaces that encourage indoor-outdoor living. This bold geometric design bridges urban and rural environments, offering a contemporary take on traditional farmhouse aesthetics.
Location and Concept
Situated between urban sites and farmland, A House in the Farm reflects a modern twist on traditional farmhouse design. The home seamlessly integrates private sanctuaries within an expansive, interconnected layout that merges indoor comforts with outdoor tranquility. The design leverages blocky concrete forms intersecting beneath expansive roofs with large eaves, providing ample shelter and creating both internal and external living spaces.
Architectural Features and Facade
The farmhouse is characterized by its pitched upper roof and an accent wall coated in brickwork, referencing the red soil of the surrounding coconut farm. This earthy facade feature, composed of vertical bricks set at angles, also pays homage to the colonial history of the city. The expansive concrete roofs extend over outdoor spaces, enhancing the connection between indoor and outdoor living areas.
Entrance and Landscaping
A bright blue gate within a concrete enclosure leads to the front garden, a spacious grassy area framed by concrete landscaping elements like raised beds and floor slabs. Access to the house is provided by a concrete path and a shallow staircase with alternating concrete and timber steps, leading to a front porch covered in patterned tiles and sheltered by the overhanging roof.
Interior Layout and Living Spaces
Upon entering, the front door opens into a large living room with an off-white tile floor accented by black square detailing that matches the ceiling. Wooden furnishings, blue sofas, and an exposed cement wall enhance the interior’s modern aesthetic, while large windows and translucent white curtains optimize natural light without excessive heat. The design aims to create a seamless connection between interior spaces and the surrounding landscape through extensive use of glass and large windows.
Courtyard and Bedrooms
Beyond the living room, a wide corridor leads to the other spaces of the house, forming a C-shape around a central, planted courtyard. A kitchen with a white color palette sits on one side of the courtyard, while two bedrooms occupy the other corners. One bedroom includes a private garden separated from the main garden by a bespoke black screen, offering a secluded outdoor space with a timber porch and a lower decking accessed by shallow concrete steps.
Central Staircase and Puja Room
Between the two bedrooms is a central staircase illuminated by a skylight and a towering louvered window. This feature not only brightens the home with natural light but also creates a serene and spiritual atmosphere around the Puja room at its core, facilitating gentle ventilation throughout the space.
Upper Level and Sustainable Design Elements
The first floor houses two additional bedrooms and a study room, opening onto a roof terrace above the flat lower roof. Studio MOB designed the home to accommodate multiple generations, incorporating features such as anthropometrically integrated staircase railings. The furnishings, crafted from leftover wood, underscore the studio’s commitment to sustainability, ensuring every element is both functional and aesthetically cohesive.
Conclusion
A House in the Farm by Studio MOB combines modern design principles with traditional farmhouse elements, creating a unique, sustainable home that fosters a deep connection with its natural surroundings. Through innovative use of materials, thoughtful landscaping, and strategic spatial planning, this farmhouse offers a harmonious blend of indoor and outdoor living that caters to multiple generations.
Photos: F/8
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