rural housing prototype in india by project terra grows with time and family needs

Project Terra proposes prototype for rural housing in india

House of Nostalgia by Rutvi Patel and Jay Patel of Project Terra offers a case study in how rural housing in India might evolve in response to changing needs. The 100-square-meter home functions as a modular prototype, exploring how local materials, phased construction, and traditional spatial arrangements can support rural communities facing demographic and environmental transitions.

Located in a small village in Gujarat, the house is composed of three separate modules, each approximately 40 square meters, that reflect different construction methods and uses. One module features a sloped tiled roof and mezzanine level, another is capped with a flat reinforced concrete slab, and the third incorporates a bamboo-reinforced slab for service areas. Together, these modules accommodate shifting patterns in rural domestic life, including smaller family units, aging residents, and the common practice of incremental building over time. The total cost is kept relatively low, with each module constructed for around ₹7 lakhs (~$8,300 USD), allowing for financial flexibility and future expansion.

Project Terra presents a prototype for rural housing | all images by The Space Tracing Company

House of Nostalgia relies on passive strategies for ventilation

Avoiding cement entirely, the Vadodara-based team at Project Terra builds the structure on a dry stone foundation, with lime mortar and lime plaster used throughout. Locally made brick and bamboo contribute to structural integrity while keeping embodied energy low. The architects also eliminate the need for mechanical ventilation or cooling systems. Instead, the house relies on passive strategies through its thick, breathable walls, shaded outdoor spaces, and orientation. For instance, the east-facing veranda receives morning sunlight, while the south-facing facade is protected by a teak grove that regulates solar exposure throughout the day.

The layout connects the three volumes through a central 20-square-meter module that opens to courtyards on both east and west sides. These transitional spaces echo older village homes where outdoor areas formed an essential part of daily routines. Materials and details are drawn from regional construction practices, such as brick jalis for ventilation and corbelled chhajjas for shade and rain protection. Lime-plastered terracotta steps in the courtyard also reflect local customs, doubling as informal seating.

While House of Nostalgia draws from familiar spatial elements, it doesn’t attempt to replicate a traditional home. It presents a modular system that acknowledges the evolving realities of village life, economic precarity, climate adaptation, and intergenerational shifts, while maintaining continuity with place-based construction knowledge. 

the south-facing facade reduces heat gain

the east-facing veranda, opening from the central module, basks in the morning sun

corbelled overhangs provide weather protection for the windows

playful terracotta lime-plastered steps double as seating

module A with 350 mm thick walls and a sloped roof brings light and air inside

the living space opens to the farm

module C is connected to the east by a door and the west by a window

the central module connects the two larger ones

these modules accommodate shifting patterns in rural domestic life

project info:

name: House of Nostalgia
architect: Project Terra | @project.terra_
lead architects: Rutvi Patel, Jay Patel 

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edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom