THE WEEKEND HOUSE BY SJK ARCHITECTS

Naturally inspired abode in western India

When nature inspires SJK Architects, it’s serious business. The Weekend House is located in Alibaug, India, and consists of a series of pods that interpret and reflect the lush natural surroundings. Using a steel web and dense concrete, the architects fashioned each roof into a beamless “leaf” that is supported by concrete-filled steel columns. The whole gives an impression of softly falling leaves that overlap, connecting the individual elements and paying homage to the property’s existing trees, all of which were preserved. Indeed, working with, not against, the local climate was essential to the house’s design, and materials were chosen for their potential to endure the passage of time. Each pod was conceived to ensure protection from the southwestern monsoon and harsh sunlight, while still providing an open and luminous space.