Humanscape Design Studio | Humanscape

Excerpt: Humanscape Design Studio by Humanscape is an architecture project blending the warmth of reclaimed wood with the strength and beauty of metal. ‘Humanscape’ was developed by carving a basement into a residential site, resulting in light wells, access points, and walls shared with underground water tanks. The studio, a concrete shell with light, shadows, sky, greens, and garden, serves as a retreat for introspection and idea expression.

Project Description

[Text as submitted by architect] ‘Humanscape’ emerges from a simple yet profound understanding of ‘Human’ and ‘landscape.’ As designers, their goal was to capture the subtle moments of time and recreate them in the spaces they craft. Humanscapes came to life when memories and lessons learned were molded into dwellings—spaces that resonate with and respect the natural environment around them.

The concept of ‘Humanscape’ took root four years ago when they carved a basement into the natural slope of a residential site. With no preconceived plans, hands worked intuitively to lay the shuttering. Light wells and access points emerged in response to this raw process, with two walls shared with underground water tanks and the other two supporting soil up to half their height.

This underground haven, designed with punctures for wind and light, was a cherished space for midday rests, lunch hours, and site meetings due to its exceptional thermal comfort. Observing weather changes, the passing of the day, and raindrops became part of their routine, and it was here that the seed of ‘Humanscape’ was planted; a place created by many hands, hearts, and minds.

Light wells offered glimpses of the evolving building above, adapting to changing sunlight, raindrops, and gloomy days. As the building grew, the comfort within increased, with more reflected light enhancing the soft impact on the interiors.

Collaborative experimentation led to the laying of a stone carpet made of pieces of various shapes, colors, and textures, an opportunity discovered in a pile outside many stone workshops. The concrete shell remained bare, allowing the stone carpet to take shape intuitively, forming layers that either reflected or absorbed light.

Three years later, this space evolved into the envisioned studio for ‘Humanscape,’ blending the warmth of reclaimed wood with the strength and beauty of metal. The studio’s structure, in its simplest form, utilizes a metal skeleton and wooden planes to house furniture and utilities.

The free plan of the studio became a canvas for experimentation—today a presentation room, tomorrow a library, a movie club on Saturdays, pottery workshop or even a venue for traveling exhibitions. 

The studio is a raw concrete shell with its own pockets of light, shadows, sky, greens, and a garden. It was envisioned to be a retreat for introspection and a space for the expression and discussion of ideas by many. Glass doors offer a choice to stay connected to the sounds of everyday life or shut out distractions for focused work.

Green elements within the studio serve as reminders of the elements that truly matter. Plants shed leaves, and butterflies visit; temperature, humidity, comfort, silence, and openness create an environment that mimics our design philosophy, fostering connection.

Artificial lighting plays a crucial role, with a combination of suspended lamps and floor lamps creating comforting shadows, and ceiling lights serving functional purposes, adapting to different moods and occasions.

The material library is a collection of crafts from travels across the country and pieces made by local artisans. The studio resembles the initiation of the thought, where the designers discuss life and living, responsibilities towards each other and their roles not limited to design in its physical attribute.