#157 - YAWANAWA HOUSE

LOCATION: Auroville, Tamil Nadu.

DATE: November 2024

HEIGHT: Main floor at 3m

SURFACE: 25 m²

MATERIALS: Shaved Acacia auriculiformis logs as the six supporting pillars of the house. Local hardwoods balcony flooring, staircase, and railings. Pine wood floor and roof structure and internal flooring planks.

The Yawanawa stilt house stands between two commonly known Work Trees, lifted on tyre posts that support the entire structure. Designed as a quiet retreat, it serves as the client’s main bedroom and living space. The room is fully insect-proof—especially against the frequent mosquitoes—and its glass windows allow for the installation of AC during the hot summer months. It has become a comfortable, personal space where he both sleeps and works from home.

For the interiors, we chose pine wood, giving the treehouse a softer, lighter character than our usual builds. The result is a more modular, right-angled look, in gentle contrast to the rounder and more naturally shaped treehouses we usually build. The house also has a ladder leading up to the roof, which can be used as a simple sky deck—perfect for spending the occasional night under the stars or relaxing on the rooftop. For the balcony and staircase, we used local hardwoods, which bring natural warmth and hold up well in exterior conditions, adding a subtle connection to the surrounding landscape.