Studio Mannina, Kamshet, Maharashtra by Doro

Studio Mannina, Kamshet, Maharashtra designed by Doro, is a studio and a house for a potter, layered with courtyards, verandas, spill out spaces, and spaces for “nothingness”.
Studio Mannina, Kamshet, Maharashtra designed by Doro

Studio Mannina, Kamshet, Maharashtra designed by Doro

Set in a 15-acre rocky contoured landscape, a studio and a house for a potter were to be designed. With the hills and vast open farms around – the site has a strong sense of a layered agrarian landscape. Taking a cue from this the project is conceived as an extension of this landscape and articulates the program with associated spatial qualities with skill-intensive making processes.

The core program i.e. the studio is layered with courtyards, verandas, spill-out spaces, and spaces for “nothingness” that reminisce associated spatial qualities and ways of working from days spent at the pottery studio at The Golden bridge pottery, Pondicherry. The movement and routine in and around clay are imagined at each step of the design development. The spillovers and the spaces of nothingness contribute to the self-involvement and reflective processes, while also providing room for social and programmatic adaptations.

These experiences and site cues are also carried forward in the house, which stands at different levels spread on a contoured part of land overlooking in the mountains, while creating thoroughfares and smaller pockets within the built to experience the landscape around. A large influence on the architectural design of the house comes from studying patterns of ways of living in their current house and spending time with them.

The site transforms dramatically across seasons. The blissful monsoons rejuvenate the land and fill the water as much as lakes whereas summers are harsh and dry with little traces of vegetation. These lakes are a result of consistent and conscious efforts of the clients towards conserving water that the monsoon brings sustaining the 15-acre land through the summer. Along with that, a large number of Miyawaki patches were planted on site a few years ago, which has started creating a living ecosystem of its own. These ecological sensitivities were continued as a part of our design process, while consciously planning out the rooftop rainwater harvesting system along with strategies for the recharging and conserving groundwater.

The construction processes and building language adapted some local sensibilities of stone construction with more skill-intensive methods of rammed earth construction and vault construction. The building is evolving with time and has started withstanding seasons and is reflective of the availability of resources and skills in its making and physical existence.

Gallery of Studio Mannina

Drawings

Project Facts

Gross Built Area- 600 m²
Project Location- Kamshet, Maharashtra
Design and execution team- Naomy Parikh, Khushi Makwana, Sonal Parikh, Saumil Patel,
Aishwarya Singhai, Qutubbudin Unwala
Structural consultant- Bhairav Patel, Strucart Design Consultants
Rammed earth and vault construction- Madhavan and Team
Contractor- Infra , Furkaan

Share your comments

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent

Diwan-i-Khas at Fatehpur Sikri. Image by Manfred Sommer

“If the received wisdom of this Western historiography is Eurocentric and subjective, how do we trace the evolution of architectural consciousness in India?”—Jaimini Mehta

The essay is the second of a three-part series of preview essays for Jaimini Mehta’s forthcoming book, Sense of Itihasa; Architecture and History in Modern India. He explores how colonial perspectives distorted Indian architectural history, arguing that indigenous architectural theories existed beyond Eurocentric interpretations, with the mandala symbolizing a deeper conceptual understanding of cosmic and spatial design.

Read More »
Jaimini Mehta - Architecture and History

“Unless you ask these questions, you will not realise that it is not history but the perception of history that needs to be revisited.”—Jaimini Mehta

The essay is the first of a three-part series of preview essays for Jaimini Mehta’s forthcoming book, Sense of Itihasa; Architecture and History in Modern India.
The book analyses the works of several contemporary, post-independence Indian architects to demonstrate that since independence, they have revitalized traditional architectural elements and techniques, drawing inspiration from India’s itihasa.

Read More »
Social Media and Architecture. @ArchitectureLive! (Image is AI generated)

“Social media has pulled back the curtain, democratizing the discourse and, more importantly, the architect’s image.” —Athulya Aby

Athulya Aby writes about how social media has transformed architecture, making it accessible to the masses. While it offers opportunities for inclusivity and innovation, it also poses risks of superficiality and prioritizing aesthetics over function. The future lies in balancing online presence with real-world impact, according to Athulya.

Read More »
House near Manchar, Sahyadri, Maharashtra, by Shoonya Collaborative. Photo Courtesy of Shoonya Collaborative

House near Manchar, Maharashtra, by Shoonya Collaborative

The adobe house near Manchar, Maharashtra, designed by Shoonya Collaborative, perched on a Sahyadri plateau, offers views of agricultural fields and a winding river. Inspired by local vernacular architecture and the client’s memories, the design incorporates repurposed materials and traditional techniques.

Read More »

Featured Publications

We Are Hiring