The home of Daaji, the world spiritual leader of the Sahaj Marg path of meditation
tHE gRID Architects
Villa
/
Completed
The land, initially, was full of rocks with a few existing trees. These rocks is said, are primeval entities, one of the very first in the world. Sensing their intrinsic preciousness and uniqueness, Daaji wished to keep them in situ. This became a challenge while planning the organization and executing the footprint of the house. Daaji’s notion of a home a place where "you" and "I" are supplanted with "us", where we can cultivate a comfortable and warm atmosphere in addition to its physical location. The paradigm of togetherness and being oneself was thus set. We took inspiration from water to create a fluidic planning that wrapped around trees and flowed around rocks. The development minimised the vertical & house is low and spreads over the site in order to blend with the surroundings.
The site was paramount when it came to formalising the built-envelope. The movement of the home was controlled by the positioning of stones and trees as Daaji wished to keep them in situ. The home is part of a gated community living. The surrounding landscape has been developed by adding ponds which collect the rainwater that is used to irrigate the area around the home as well as the communal landscape. The development also houses WORLD” S biggest meditation hall. The alignment of the built-form and ecosystem became a part of the construction process. The trees, rocks and the built form enriched the space to be grown as a part of nature rather than out of it. There were no specific execution drawings since it was derived with respect to the existing ecology. Daaji said flow with nature.
A conscious choice of natural materials reflects a commitment to environmental stewardship, Reducing Carbon Emissions. The organic locally procured material palette comprised of red bricks lime plaster and Kota stone. The biophilic idea of living with vegetation played an important role. The usage of charcoal, a natural fertilizer, played a huge role in developing the greenery around. The surrounding landscape has been developed by adding ponds which collect the rainwater that irrigates the area around the home as wells as the communal landscape minimising ecological impact and conserves water. The large local mature trees act as natural sun-breakers. Kanha Shanti Vanam named “The Pride of Telangana” “Haritha Haram” Indian Green Building Council Platinum Award for Kanha, three years in a row.
In just 6 years, Kanha Shanti Vanam, including the "Daaji Home," transformed 2000 acres of barren land into a vibrant and sustainable spiritual institute, harmonizing nature and human well-being.
A home following biophilic ideology influenced by Biomorphism
¾ of the total plot area has been left free ¼ - built form
The organic material palette includes locally made red bricks, lime plaster, Kota stone, with natural stone promoting energy efficiency and climate responsiveness.
The skewed wall in the living room for instance allows a massive rock to come inside the room, so that the monolith lies partly enclosed and partly outside in the adjacent courtyard. The angular deployment also ensures sufficient light from the south, southeast and the northwest directions. The outdoor verandah incorporates a cut-out to accommodate the growth of a tree.
The surrounding landscape has been developed by adding ponds which collect the rainwater that is used to irrigate the area around the home as wells as the communal landscape
The usage of charcoal, a natural fertilizer, played a huge role in developing the greenery around.
The Building height respects existing trees, symbolizing nature's dominance and importance in the design.
The waterbodies foster a micro-ecology, allowing local plants to establish their own ecosystem.
Interior spaces are surrounded by green pockets, linked to the central courtyard, while mature trees act as natural sun-breakers.
Daaji's home embodies a symbiotic relationship with nature, drawing inspiration from Indian household values of togetherness, sacrifice, and love. Preserving ancient rocks and trees, it honors their primordial significance. A home goes beyond physicality, creating a loving environment wherever you go. The plants providing medicine and oxygen while exchanging vibrations. The design prioritizing habitat preservation balance and a deep connection with nature define the essence of a home.
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The palette is an organic material palette comprising red bricks (for masonry locally made on site). The home is entirely made of locally sourced materials reviving traditional construction methods and supporting local employment.
Vinay Panjwani
The surroundings were left largely undisturbed while building this ecologically sensitive accommodation encouraging biodiversity. The micro ecology of the waterbodies, natural local special of plants build their own eco system.
Vinay Panjwani
Daaji’s home is designed with the intention of being shaped by nature, built by nature and growing as part of nature. The biophilic architecture is inspired by and respects the system of an Indian household addressing togetherness, sacrifice, love
Vinay Panjwani
The site is surrounded by large local mature trees that act as natural sun-breakers, shading all the pathways and the periphery of the home. Contextual and climate responsive design inspired by vernacular techniques.
Vinay Panjwani
The skewed wall in the living room allows an existing massive rock to come inside the room, so that the monolith lies partly enclosed and partly outside in the adjacent courtyard. The angular deployment also ensures sufficient light from all directions.
Vinay Panjwani
We used earthy, local materials, shaped and worked by local hands. A wall of the outdoor verandah was whittled away to make way for the tree to grow through the cut-out. The arrangement of each room was orientated towards nature
Vinay Panjwani
The interior spaces are flanked on all sides by green pockets alternately and are visually and physically linked to the central courtyard. The usage of CHARCOAL, a natural fertilizer, played a huge role in developing the greenery around
Vinay Panjwani
Throughout the home, openable fully glazed windows usher in breeze and fresh air. The land full of rocks with a few existing trees. it is said, are primeval entities, one of the very first in the world. Daaji wished to keep them in situ.
Vinay Panjwani
The living room of the house was designed to be comparatively spacious than other homes due to a large number of people walking in throughout the day. The well-lit room opens on the south to an external platform, forming an extension to the living room.
Vinay Panjwani
The height of the building not exceeding the existing trees was deliberately done so prevent the architecture from asserting dominance — symbolizing nature to be above all.
Vinay Panjwani
The study room is a serene sanctuary with comfortable seating spaces, where his insights and contemplation merge into profound teachings that fill the room with an aura of tranquility. Privacy and hospitality blend seamlessly
Vinay Panjwani
The alignment of the built-form and the ecosystem with its existing rocks became a part of the construction process. Daaji's home, designed for the World spiritual leader for Sahaj Marg (Heartfulness) (awarded Padma Bhushan) transcends bricks and mortar.
Vinay Panjwani
Transformed a barren land of 2000 acres to a green spiritual institute in less than 6 years – Kanha shantivanam through reviving, many traditional methods and experimenting with natural and organic techniques. The ethos to weave the home around nature
tHE gRID Architects
Daaji's says that this home embodies a symbiotic relationship with nature, with plants providing medicine and oxygen while exchanging vibrations and energy with us. Drawing inspiration from Indian household values of togetherness, sacrifice, and love.
tHE gRID Architects
While designing Daaji had a stipulation- respect the space of nature. We adapted the design, respecting a condition to keep all plants undisturbed. It feels as though the plants graciously invite us into their realm, promoting harmony and coexistence
tHE gRID Architects
The upper storey comprising fully of bedrooms designated as a private zone. The central idea while scripting this design was nature architecturally as well as in the internal articulation. The gentle, demure built-form lets nature take precedence
tHE gRID Architects
The trees, the rocks, the sunlight and the air all contribute to creating experiential juxtapositions that are effortless and enduring.
tHE gRID Architects
nature driven architecture. The arrangement of each room was orientated towards nature
tHE gRID Architects
a puncture above to make way for the tree to grow through the cut-out.
tHE gRID Architects
The living room of the house was designed to be comparatively spacious than other homes due to a large number of people walking in throughout the day. The well-lit room opens on the south to an external platform, forming an extension to the living room.
tHE gRID Architects
Living, central courtyard and Daaji bedroom. All open to the surrounding landscape of native species of plants.
tHE gRID Architects
The dining and the kitchen adjoin the living room. Just as the living room, the dining room, too, overlooks the central courtyard on both sides which directly let in the north light.
Hyderabad
India
Daaji’s Home (Daaji, the WORLD spiritual leader of the Sahaj Marg (Heartfulness) path of meditation). 1. Padma Bhushan (2023) by the Government of India. India’s most admirable spiritual leader. 2. India’s Most Admirable Leader Award – The Brand Story TV
personal permanent residence
12/2022
1045 mq
Confidential
tHE gRID Architects
Snehal Suthar & Bhadri Suthar
inhouse
inhouse
local
Vinay Panjwani
Curriculum
tHE gRID Architects views designing as more than just a profession, embracing inclusivity and collaboration. Their buildings prioritize the well-being of individuals on psychological, biological, and sociological levels, with biophilic design at the core. Practicing heartfulness, they infuse their designs with elevated consciousness. As visiting faculty at prestigious institutes like NID, NIFT, and architecture schools, they actively engage in global panel talks, juries, and presentations. Their work is featured in renowned platforms such as Archdaily, Plan Mag, Design Boom, Dezeen, Forbes, AD, and showcased in national/international publications. Recognized as HOT 100 architects of India, they have earned 50+ prestigious awards and have been featured thrice on BETTER INDIA for their green and sustainable initiatives, promoting accessible sustainability. Their vision embodies designing with inner consciousness and heartfelt thoughts, ensuring honest and meaningful designs for society