An Innovative Navi Mumbai Home Made Entirely Out Of Recycled Materials

Published on:

08 Jun 2021, 12:21 pm

3 min read

Patch work designs and a collage of recycled material come together in this uniquely constructed house sitting in Navi Mumbai’s Belapur on the top of a hill overlooking Mumbai city. Created by the architecture firm S+PS Architects, this private residence is designed to house four generations of the same family.

Informal settlements across the city of Mumbai paint a picture of frugal material use, resourcefulness and innovative designs. Inspired by these concepts, S+PS Architects have beautifully pieced together this space with disconnected materials combining to form one coherent design. Doors and windows in the front of the house preserved from demolition sites across the city still retain their hinges, and provide an eclectic sense of openness with natural ventilation. The polished, white marble floor of the living room is embedded with intricate brass designs, looking up at the exposed concrete-faceted ceiling. Arranged in a tradition Indian house style, the design sports a central courtyard bathed in fresh breeze and sunlight.

The ‘pipe wall’ is crafted using leftover pieces of metal pipes which are made to resemble structural bamboo columns. These pipes also act as rainwater downtake tracks with a sculpture of spouts. Chain link mesh is used to decorate the elevator’s enclosure provides the illusion of open space. Outside the house, a paved parking area is lined with a brick entrance and a wall of carved glass. Contemporary design elements such as wood and glass panes are combined with salvaged materials, topped with a generous use of plants and creepers.

Rusted scrap metal, brightly coloured tile parts, slivers of cut waste stones, carved glass and other waste materials make this house a tranquil, innovative and gorgeously arranged space with natural light pouring in from various sides. Apart from recycled material, this design also incorporates environmental consciousness through the 50,000 litre rainwater harvesting tank placed on an upper level, which is flanked by rock pieces gathered during the excavation process. The roof terraces also houses a lightweight pavilion crafted out of steel and glass, complete with solar panels that are adorned with 100-year-old columns obtained from a dismantled house. Burma tea rafters and purlins are used to floor the house in several places, and waste fabric upholsters chairs.

A mixture of old and new materials gives a sense of contrast, with two design world coming together in perfect synchronisation. Scroll on for a look at this stunning residence that represents the perfect blend of resourcefulness and innovative design.