Project by
Vinu Daniel
WALLMAKERS
Vinu Daniel, founder and principal architect of Wallmakers, is known for his pioneering work in sustainable and cost-effective architecture. A graduate of the College of Engineering, Trivandrum (2005), Vinu began his career with the Auroville Earth Institute, working on post-tsunami rehabilitation projects for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This early experience with earth-based construction deeply influenced his philosophy and led to the founding of Wallmakers in 2007.
Named after their very first project—a compound wall—Wallmakers has since grown into one of India’s most celebrated young architectural practices. The firm has earned international acclaim, including being listed in ArchDaily’s 20 Young Practices of 2020, and winning three editions of the Design that Educates Award by the Laka Foundation in Germany. Wallmakers has also been nominated for the Brick Award 2022 and The Royal Academy Dorfman Award 2022.
In the face of the global climate crisis, Vinu Daniel champions a more critical and responsible approach to architecture. Wallmakers believes in repurposing site-derived materials and building with waste, rather than sourcing fresh, resource-intensive materials. The practice is widely recognized for innovative techniques such as the Debris Wall and Shuttered Debris Wall, developed as alternatives to conventional systems.
At its core, Wallmakers strives to create spaces that are contextual, environmentally conscious, and poetically grounded—balancing innovation and necessity with the vision of a sustainable architectural future.
A family of musicians dreamed of a space where artists could gather, exchange ideas, and celebrate culture—and that dream took shape as Nisarga Art Hub. Located beside expansive paddy fields in Kerala, the site presented a quiet landscape marked only by traditional sloped roofs. These iconic “Kerala Roofs” are revered for their climate response but often dismissed today for their dim interiors. At Nisarga, that limitation was reimagined as potential. Skylights were cut through the roof, welcoming daylight into the heart of the structure. The roof’s 35° incline naturally aligned with the 30° slope of an amphitheatre—transforming skylights into cascading seating. Below, a swimming pool doubles as a stage when topped with wooden planks, creating an intimate venue for performances of up to 80 people.
Design Highlights
Roof transformed into a skylit amphitheatre with natural seating angles
Shuttered Debris Walls made using recycled rubble and site soil
Reused metal racks support creepers and provide solar shading
Open interiors with floor-level interaction reflecting Padmasana philosophy
Reclaimed laterite “Muttam”-style verandah echoes Kerala heritage
Summary
Nisarga Art Hub is more than a building—it’s a cultural rhythm composed of light, silence, and sustainable materiality. Every pause between built forms, every shaft of light filtered through jute sacks, every seat carved into a roofline tells a story of community and conscious design. It offers a serene yet spirited space where architecture and music meet, allowing creativity to flow freely through every crafted void and tactile surface.
Inspire us like we (hopefully) inspired you –
