New Delhi-based studio Architecture Discipline has created a sea-facing solid timber house with charred wood cladding in Goa, India.
The linear house was built using 11 glulam (glulam) portal frames, which the practice says is “a first in India”.
Glued laminated timber, more commonly known as glued laminated timber, is a form of high-strength mass timber with a low carbon footprint.
“The decision to use solid wood came from a desire to push the boundaries of sustainable construction in India,” Architecture Discipline's chief architect Akshat Bhatt told Dezeen.
The linear block stands at the highest point of a steep terrain near the banks of the Chapora River in Vagator, Goa.
The team wanted to build the house in a minimally invasive way and built it on a foundation of stilts and concrete retaining walls. Raising the base plate above the ground also ensured protection from moisture and capillary action.
Above this, the glulam portal frames, prefabricated in Delhi and assembled on site in Goa, form the structure of the house.
“The prefabrication process allowed for incredible precision and assembling the structure on site was faster than traditional methods,” commented Bhatt.
“The finished structure feels progressive yet rooted, reflecting solid wood’s ability to achieve both sustainability and aesthetics.”
The living area is open plan on the lower level, culminating in two guest suites at the rear.
It has glazing on three sides, allowing natural light to flood the room. Glazing and an open terrace extending from the front of the living room provide unobstructed views of the lush surroundings.
Given the client's minimalist lifestyle, the team selected simple leather-upholstered furniture pieces, including an Eames chair.
A mezzanine overlooking the living space is connected by a metal staircase. Here, the team designed a gallery space leading into the master bedroom to display the client's art collection.
For the interiors, the office chose a restrained color palette to express the raw form of the wooden frames. The walls are painted white and have black granite flooring.
The stilted structure on the ground floor houses a glass-clad room that is used by the client as a wood workshop.
The exterior is covered in charred wood paneling, created using a centuries-old Japanese preservation technique called yakisugi. The material was chosen for its durability and moisture resistance, ideal for Goa's tropical climate.
Bhatt believes that mass timber will become a key material in redefining housing construction in India.
“Solid wood has the potential to revolutionize home design in India by providing a sustainable alternative to traditional materials,” he said.
“As awareness of the environmental impact of construction grows, the carbon sequestration properties and renewable nature of mass timber make it an ideal solution,” he continued.
“It's time for a revolution. Bold design must be implemented with sustainable technology, and small experiments like this can be a catalyst for change.”
Other glulam buildings recently featured on Dezeen include a demountable wooden sports hall at the University of Zurich by Itten+Brechbühl and a wood-clad visitor center on the Beskydy mountain ridge in the Czech Republic by Henkai Architekten.
Photography is by Studio Charuau and Ranjan Sharma.