This house, which wraps around two trees, creates a snake shape and offers a surprising visual experience. Situated in Shoolagiri village, India, the house, named Chuzhi House, was designed by Wallmakers at the request of a client who wanted to build in challenging terrain. 

The Chuzhi House is not located in a region known for stunning views or a landscape that many would find appealing for building. Instead, it is situated in an area that typically lacks interest for residential development. 

The house resembles a snake, and Wallmakers refers to the design concept as "camouflage" architecture. 

A project called Chuzhi seeks to define what can be constructed on unusual locations that are typically thought of as "unsuitable" for building. 

The owner of the plot in the gated community of Sanctity Fermein, located in the scenic area of Shoolagiri, faced challenges due to undesirable obscure plots at the edge of the community. 

These plots were identified by steep rocky terrain, large trees, and dense vegetation, which made people hesitant to build homes there because the buildable area appeared to be smaller. 

The studio stated that our idea of camouflage architecture, in which we want the buildings to remain hidden and blend in seamlessly with the existing topography, seems appropriate in these modern times when people are preoccupied with getting picturesque views from their homes and less concerned with how their homes wind up looking like unnatural eyesores in pristine, picturesque landscapes. 

"Chuzhi as the meaning suggests in Malayalam, ”whirlpool” are swirls of precast poured debris earth composite bottle beams, fashioned from 4000 discarded plastic bottles designed around the three large Tamarind trees on site," said Wallmakers. 

"The idea was to make a subterranean home that would originate from the rock bed, forming multiple whirls around the tree and adjoining to create a secure private space below for the residents and aspace around the trees above that ensures that the thick vegetation and ecosystem continues to thrive undisturbed," the studio added.

Chuzhi's swirls begin as walls and ascend in a spiral pattern to form the roof. The glass roof of the house, which is positioned between the three trees, gives you the impression that you are living beneath their canopy.

The roof serves as a seating area around the tree, effectively separating the public and private areas despite the house's lack of elevation.

Without compromising the comfort of the people inside, the plan was to preserve the surrounding area and the natural ecosystem of trees above the house. 

The open floor plan and simple interior design of Chuzhi, a two-bedroom home, use reclaimed wood floors that have been fixed together. The building's ability to blend in with the surroundings, like a snake curled up behind a rock on a hot day, is a startling truth.

Image © Fernando Alda Calvo

Image © Fernando Alda Calvo

Image © Fernando Alda Calvo

Image © Fernando Alda Calvo

Image © Fernando Alda Calvo

Image © Fernando Alda Calvo

Floor plan

Cross section

Longitudinal section

Wallmakers, recently, converted an art hub's spacious roof into an open air amphitheatre in Ernakulum, Kerala, India. In addition, the firm designed The Ledge that overlooks Peeremedu, a hill station in the South of Kerala.

Wallmakers was founded in 2007 by Vinu Daniel. The firm focuses on minimizing carbon footprint in buildings by working with natural materials, such as mud and waste originating in and imported to, India.

"We Must Give Back To The Site" Wallmakers Founder Vinu Daniel said in WAC's exclusive interview. 

Project facts

Project name: Chuzhi House

Architects: Wallmakers

Location: Shoolagiri, India.

Completion Year: 2022

Gross Built Area (m²/ ft²): 2122 ft²

Lead Architects: Vinu Daniel, Neeraj S. Muralı, Rajesh Khanna

All images © Syam Sreesylam unless otherwise stated. 

All drawings © Wallmakers.

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