Wallmakers, Kerala
Specialisation: Sustainable architecture and interiors
The genesis of Wallmakers is one where defeat was met with resilience. Inspired by greats like Laurie Baker and his exposure at Auroville, architect Vinu Daniel set out to create a niche practice that focuses on mud architecture that would be sustainable to its core. He drafts a unique design and recruits manpower to build his first project, but the client changes his mind at the last minute, instead asking him to build the compound wall only. That first hands-on experience in 2007, humbly making bricks, not only gave his practice the name Wallmakers but also charted a new journey of discovery of materials and the joy of offering in-house expertise in executing a project. Ever since, the practice has devoted itself to the cause of using mud and waste as chief building components, to make structures that are both utilitarian and alluring. “While the work and construction of a building results in the production of a lot of scrap, we believe in not being deterred by this demon, but instead have learnt to build with it,” says the principal architect.
Soon in 2008, he won an award for a low cost, eco-friendly house from the ‘Save Periyar’ Pollution Control Committee for the house constructed for a cancer patient. The “wallmaker” began to find widespread acceptance for his work: being featured in Rahul Mehrotra’s ‘Architecture in India’, winning the Kochi-Muziris Biennale Pavilion and building the largest Conoid ever built using ferrocrete; IIA National award; Commendation Prize of HUDCO DESIGN AWARDS; and the enviable International Sustainability Award 2018. Each milestone has prompted him to resolve to devote his energies towards the cause of sustainable and cost-effective architecture. From designing and constructing a church, residential architecture and interior design to hospitality projects, Daniel is always up for a challenge and has developed a robust design and delivery approach with an openness to experiment with new techniques and materials with his team of professionals and skilled craftspersons.
Unconventional but Surreal
Based in Delhi, the clients wanted an eco-friendly and peaceful abode in the busy city of Trivandrum. The design also had to overcome the primary obstacle of water-logging issues prone at the low-lying site and ensure the building wouldn’t hinder the flow of water, instead it needed to be percolated into the ground and harvested. “We had to come up with an alternative and sustainable solution which could also enhance the spatial quality – a pond in the lowest point of the site so that water is retained in the site as well as, adding to the veristic vibe of the residence,” explains Vinu Daniel. When it comes to materials, the 3,100sq-ft residence exhibits the brilliance of natural materials as well as scrap items.
The bamboo façade – reinforced with steel – supports the staircase, creating a semi-open place for the owners to relax and sit. A rotating jali work made from CSEB bricks (Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks) imparts privacy to the bedrooms. Not only does it allow light to stream in, but the polar arrangement allows ample ventilation. Base plate of washing machines find an ingenious new purpose as grills – “use of such grills instead of fresh ones propagates the idea of up-cycling as well as serves as a medium of income for labourers,” mentions Daniel. Uprooted trees and waste wood from sawmills are morphed into furniture for the residence. Wallmakers D&B speciality enables them to create such structures that most contractors would struggle to grasp, and design interiors with materials that mostly go unnoticed or are not used to its full potential.
“It is believed that the “large wooden horse” left at the gate of Troy as a gesture of peace (but for infiltration) by the Greeks was actually a misnomer. In fact, somebody mispronounced or misheard the word “battering ram” for a “horse”. Similarly, in architecture, one often wonders why you design a “horse” and it ends up being built as a “donkey”. The worth of any architect who only submits plans and sections at site is that of a glorified draftsman than a genuine creator. Therefore, design and build…period.”
Vinu Daniel, principal, Wallmakers