studio aashraya
Residential

Aashraya Farmstead

Location

Nalanda, Bihar

Area

4,800 sq ft

Year

2025

Status

In Progress

60% less embodied energy

Passive Strategies

  • Earth-sheltered design utilizing natural ground cooling
  • Passive solar orientation for winter warmth
  • Biogas integration from farm waste
  • Natural stone foundations from local quarry

Materials

Rammed EarthLocal StoneBambooFly Ash BricksThatch Roofing

Story of the Home

The Problem

A farming family in Nalanda wanted a spacious farmstead but refused to use materials imported from outside Bihar. They wanted their home to literally grow from their land.

Design Approach

Using rammed earth from the site itself, bamboo from local groves, and stone from a quarry 12 km away, we created a farmstead with zero imported materials. The earth-sheltered design uses the ground's natural insulation.

Outcome

Construction costs came in 35% below conventional building. The farmstead uses 60% less embodied energy than comparable RCC buildings and has inspired three neighbors to adopt similar construction.

Want a similar home?

Let's discuss how to bring this kind of design thinking to your plot in Bihar.

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