Manoj Patel builds a farmhouse out of Reclaimed materials

Manoj Patel Design Studio has completed a farmhouse on the outskirts of Vadodara, Gujarat, India , positioned between expanding urban development and surrounding agricultural land. Set on a 30,000 sqft plot with a built-up area of 1,500 sqft, the project explores material efficiency, climatic responsiveness, and spatial openness within a rural context.

The design adopts sustainability as a structural and material strategy rather than a stylistic approach. Exposed brick , locally sourced stone , and recycled materials form the primary construction palette. Brick cavity walls integrate ground beams, where RCC slurry is poured within the cavities to strengthen the structure. This method merges structural logic with material expression. Varied brick bond patterns contribute to self-shading performance, responding to the region’s hot and dry climate.…