Project Terra’s House of Nostalgia offers a modular and climate-resilient solution for rural housing in India. The 100-square-meter home is composed of three separate modules, each approximately 40 square meters, reflecting different construction methods and uses. The modules accommodate shifting patterns in rural domestic life, including smaller family units, aging residents, and incremental building over time.
The house is built using local materials, such as brick and bamboo, and features passive strategies for ventilation, eliminating the need for mechanical cooling systems. The architects have also incorporated regional construction practices, including brick jalis for ventilation and corbelled chhajjas for shade and rain protection.
Each module is constructed for around ₹7 lakhs (~$8,300 USD), allowing for financial flexibility and future expansion. The design connects the three volumes through a central 20-square-meter module that opens to courtyards on both east and west sides, echoing older village homes where outdoor areas formed an essential part of daily routines.
The House of Nostalgia 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.
Image Courtesy: Desginboom
