Earthscape Studio’s Innovative Cowshed Design in Peermade, Kerala, India

Earthscape Studio, a sustainable architecture firm, has designed an innovative cowshed in the bowl-shaped contour site of Peermade, Kerala, India. The site is surrounded by natural beauty, with banana trees and other plants growing in abundance. The climate is mostly misty, and it rains continuously for nine months a year, adding to the lushness of the landscape. A small drain runs through the site, directing the natural flow of rainwater down to the deep valley. The design of the cowshed aims to be economical, using locally available materials, and sustainable, without relying on steel or concrete.

A Low-Cost, Sustainable Design

The cowshed design utilizes recycled rods, casuarinas, and bamboo for supports during construction. The flat land in the site is used to locate four anchor points for the vault, which are located at different levels of 0m, 0.70m, and 2.1m. Four different catenary arches at varying heights create an eternal experience inside the vault. Three layers of 25mm thick "Sithu kal" (small bricks) are used, which are locally available within a 40km radius of the site. The maximum span of the catenary arch is 6.6m, and the maximum height of the vault is 3m. The vault is a fully compression structure, and the footing is designed to transfer forces from the structure, making it stable.

The project and surrounding environment © Althaf AR

Natural Landscape Integration

The shape of the cowshed structure follows the natural landform, leaving the landscape and trees undisturbed, making it blend with the natural surroundings. None of the natural landforms have been removed, and the structure has been built accordingly, considering the slope and surroundings. Additionally, to account for heavy wind flow and rainfall at the site, the design includes openings in the structure that direct rainwater flow towards the deep valley.

Design Considerations

The structure has been derived from the Kangaroo physics engine, considering the site surface and applying loads to determine the maximum elasticity of the surface, resulting in a stable compression structure. The existing drain has been allowed to run through the structure, which is used as a waste water disposal system. Despite the challenges faced during heavy rainy days with the deep contour, the construction period took only three months.

Classification and Materials

The cowshed design by Earthscape Studio is classified as an agricultural building, but it also includes elements of gazebos, sheds, and stables. The materials used in the construction are wood, bamboo, and masonry. The use of locally sourced materials and sustainable construction methods highlights the firm's commitment to environmentally conscious design.

Three layers of 25mm thick “Sithu kal” (small bricks) has been used © Althaf AR

The shed is integrated into the environment © Althaf AR

The height difference in the field © Althaf AR

Earthscape Studio's innovative cowshed design in Peermade, Kerala, India, is a stunning example of sustainable architecture that blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings. The design is economical, using locally available materials, and sustainable, without relying on steel or concrete. The integration of the natural landscape into the design of the structure highlights the firm's commitment to environmentally conscious design, making it an excellent example of how agricultural buildings can incorporate sustainable practices and respect the environment.