BHARATI PAWASKAR
Sometimes less is more. Our ancestors lived in homes that breathed nostalgia. In the good old days, people were truthful whenever they built a house. The construction took into consideration the needs of those who would dwell in that space, and used locally available materials. Yatin Fulari and Teja Amonkar are doing the same, but in a more sophisticated fashion. With over a dozen happy clients, young, architect duo Yatin and Teja are all set to mould the common set of beliefs people usually apply to shape, and design open, empty spaces.
Their first ever project “ a cozy space at the idyllic Assagao won international attention, proving to be a change maker. This project, entirely built on empty plot of 12.5 mts and 32 mts, indeed, a very small space “ was a challenge.
Implementing their new set of ideas and concepts, they design houses to make them homes. Vernacular architecture is not an archaic idea but an ongoing process, adapting constantly to the contemporary needs and available materials. “In Goa, we are surrounded by rich built heritage, but one cannot reduce this heritage to only its façade. Instead, one should try and understand its true value and the qualities are-not only of its construction and proportion, but also the lifestyle that it serves. A lifestyle of empathy, humanity and culture that is in its core is timeless,” believe the young architects.
Graduates of Goa College of Architecture and partners at ‘Field Atelier’, Yatin and Teja are capturing national and international attention in their short span of joint practice in their home state Goa. Their design process involves participation of contractors and carpenters, and thus takes into consideration the construction skills, techniques and resourcefulness of these professionals. “Sustainability for us is being resourceful and using materials as well as techniques and skills, which are locally available. This is also what one learns from vernacular architecture,” states Teja.
Conceived in 12 months, their first project at Assagao has earned a prestigious place in the top five in national-level awards, and stood among the merit list of 100 architectural projects in India. Built on a narrow plot of land, the house has an open plan, and courtyards are arranged around each space. These allow ample amount of light, breeze and act as a spill over space. The spaces are free flowing and uncluttered. The light entering through these courtyards washes, the beige hued IPS (Indian patent stone) floor used in traditional houses in Goa and fills the space with warm glow.
Teja describes, “The open to sky courtyard, verandahs and small terraces, are the lungs and the core of the house. They provide the space with light, breeze but most importantly, carve out a space to dream under a vast sky of one’s own. The house is primordial in its nature, responding to the sun, moon, rain and sky with a human scale, gestures that are oldest and most known to man.”
Yatin expresses, “We believe that one has to work with materials available at the present time and look at how one can add to the rich heritage of built form. In the past, there was certain empathy towards the neighbors and pedestrians. For example, a simple covered pathway that a building lends in an urban context shows how architecture can respond humanely.”
Asserting that their work is not based on any trends or ‘isms’ and pre-conceived notions about any form or design, Teja discloses that the design is guided by the site, climate and nature of the function. At Field Atelier, the emphasis is never on the form, but on the ‘atmosphere’. An architectural practice established in 2015 by both, Yatin and Teja, the design studio offers perfect blending with the nature.
“The things taken into consideration are climate, site and the place or location. The place should be welcoming and warm with a feel of human touch,” maintains Yatin.
The design is based on space-light proportions. The outside (eg, courtyard, backyard) is included in the insides, extending it, yet, maintaining the privacy of the space at the same time. They believe in keeping most of the space empty. Minimum what is required is built, nothing extra. “The material we use is truthful, simple and local. In Goa, laterite stone is available in plenty, so that’s our basic material along with the local wood. We hire the local labour, so that they know how to handle the material. That offers ease of construction, to us and to them, too,” explains Teja. The duo feels that houses should be inclusive of courtyards but the construction should not be blindly followed or copied. The homes should be contemporary, and not only copying facades. The homes should converse with each other and also blend with the neighbourhood. The material used should not look forced, but natural. The past material which is not available can be discarded. The vernacular should be taken further. And what is vernacular? - It’s an ongoing process of taking things from the past. But it evolves with the time, offering a freshness that comes along with nostalgia when one lives in these spaces. That’s what Yatin and Teja wish to offer!
