Architect Apoorva Shroff On Infusing Landscape Into Architectural Design

Founder and principal designer of Lyth Design, Apoorva Shroff discusses in depth about the challenges and strategies of landscape integrated design.

Article by Architect Apoorva Shroff

Frank Lloyd Wright famously stated, “A house should be of the hill, not on it. Hill and house should live together, each the happier for the other“. This quote reflects a philosophy of organic architecture, where structures are designed to coexist harmoniously with the landscape. Wright often incorporated natural materials, open floor plans, and extensive use of windows to connect interior spaces with the surroundings. Infusing landscape with architecture entails purposefully merging natural elements into the design, seamlessly integrating the built environment with the contextual landscape. This approach goes beyond aesthetics, offering a powerful tool for sustainability, well-being, and the creation of meaningful environments. By incorporating green elements, one can not only preserve nature but also create visually pleasing and balanced composition in general.

Responsible architecture is deeply intertwined with its context. A well-designed building establishes a meaningful connection with its surroundings, ensuring a powerful integration. Since successful design almost always takes its clues from nature, it is important to observe that nature in itself is not always cohesive. For instance, in “Airavat – The House in the Clouds“, a project that is often described as disruptive, the architectural design is respectful of the silence of the landscape it inhabits, showcasing the importance of understanding and responding to the site’s unique qualities. Keeping the hilly landscape as the primary compass for design, the various levels of this house are developed to respond to the natural terrain of the site.

Incorporating landscape elements not only adds aesthetic appeal but also improves the quality and functionality of architectural designs. Outdoor green spaces provide areas for recreation and socialising, contributing to improved usability. To enhance user experiences, elements like courtyards can establish intimate connections with the surroundings. For example, at Airavat, a floating lotus pond welcomes visitors, creating a pause point and directing them toward the house. Thoughtful planning of spill-outs around natural features such as rocks or trees enhances visual integration, while strategically positioned vantage points offer optimal views of the landscape. Renowned Mexican architect Luis Barragan once said, “I don’t divide architecture, landscape and gardening; to me they are one“.

There are several factors to consider when infusing the landscape with architecture, namely context, proportions, views, circulation, sustainability, materiality, maintenance, culture, flexibility, and collaboration. An architecture project devoid of any landscape presents a stark and disconnected environment, lacking the visual and sensory elements that can create a harmonious and inviting space. The absence of landscape deprives the project of quality human experience. For example, at Lyth, we prioritise incorporating greenery into our projects, particularly indoor plants. This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also improves air quality. In one instance, while designing an office for Prestige, we introduced potted plants to complement two hefty columns, creating a nuanced balance. Cold grey marble flooring was offset by the warmth of plant-adorned walls, thus humanising the office atmosphere and demonstrating the power of landscape integration.

Design is a subjective realm where proportions vary according to individual perceptions. Landscape plays a crucial role in establishing relative proportions within a design. Diverse features like water bodies, hills, vegetation, rock formations, views, pathways, etc., offer endless design possibilities for architects and designers to creatively integrate into their structures. A site abundant with trees may inspire a design that gracefully envelops them, while an alternate vision may opt to preserve the trees and position the structure in a distant corner. Neither approach is inherently right or wrong; it all depends on the architect’s vision and the desired relationship with the landscape. Ultimately, the relationship between design and landscape is a matter of personal interpretation.

Infusing landscape with architecture presents challenges, including site constraints and maintenance considerations. Excavation difficulties due to hard rock may require potential relocations of structures. Waterproofing limitations may arise when aligning with natural conditions. However, these challenges call for innovative solutions and adaptations. Solution strategies to landscaping challenges include conducting soil testing before determining the placement of a structure on site. Embracing natural conditions and adapting to them rather than attempting to overcome them is crucial. The selection of plant materials must consider long-term care requirements. Prioritise local plant species or low-maintenance options like crabgrass when selecting landscape elements. This promotes cost efficiency and also helps contextualise the projects, as regional products are most suitable to the local climate. Proper irrigation systems need to be integrated to ensure efficient water usage. Utilising low-maintenance design and durable materials eases maintenance while preserving the architectural and landscape integration’s integrity and sustainability.

Apart from planting landscaping around architectural buildings, another scenario involves constructing amidst pre-existing landscape elements. Learning from the example of a treehouse, materials such as clay, mud, and wood can be explored to create structures that seamlessly blend into the landscape. At CSF, an office project by Lyth Design, an enormous tree wraps itself around one corner of the building, becoming a focal point for breakout periods. Integrating landscape elements into the architectural structure not only helped in connecting users to nature and influencing space usage but also regulated the microclimate. To extend the idea of biophilia within that workspace, the terrace was transformed into a roof garden to act as a common break-out space for the entire building as well as a seating area for lunch breaks.

Architects and designers possess the ability to transform spaces through successful integration of the natural environment with design. Given the finite availability of landscape resources, particularly trees, responsible construction and design integration become imperative in order to address resource depletion and prioritise sustainability in general. By harnessing the power of nature, we can build cohesively with our surroundings, leaving a lasting legacy that respects and enhances the world around us. After all, one can never go wrong if they allow nature to be the regulator.

Apoorva Shroff
Founder and Principal Designer, Lyth Design

Apoorva Shroff is the founder of lyth Design, a boutique design studio based out of Mumbai whose work spans the disciplines of interior design, architecture, product design and graphic design. At lyth, she brings together over two decades of experiences resulting in lyth’s adept process of spatial storytelling that is driven by pragmatic solutions resulting in enigmatic yet straightforward spaces. Shroff strongly believes that every design needs to start with a story and that every design decision is a conscious choice.