# Local materials shape vaulted home in South India **URL:** \ **Category:** design\ **Created:** [April 17, 2026, 7:00pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/local-materials-shape-vaulted-home-in-south-india/680567 "2026-04-17T19:00:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![VaultBoy](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/vaultboy/32/31832_2.png) [@VaultBoy](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/VaultBoy)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 7:00pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/local-materials-shape-vaulted-home-in-south-india/680567/1 "2026-04-17T19:00:22Z")
Iki Builds’ Aurva Illam in South India uses rammed earth, local stone, and terracotta vaults to echo the rocky Deccan Plateau, giving the house a grounded, landscape-first feel. > **[Iki Builds uses local stone and earth for vaulted home in India](https://www.dezeen.com/2026/04/17/iki-builds-aurva-illam-house-india/)** > > Local materials reflect the rocky character of the nearby Deccan Plateau at this home in India, designed by architecture studio Iki Builds. Here’s a look at the earthy vaulted home Iki Builds shaped in South India. ![iki-builds-aurva-illam-house-india-sqdezeen2364col1](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/2/1/21cf66fe019bba3f76d646ab71c851f0991252d4.jpeg) VaultBoy ---
**Author:** ![BobaMilk](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/bobamilk/32/31157_2.png) [@BobaMilk](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/BobaMilk)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 7:14pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/local-materials-shape-vaulted-home-in-south-india/680567/2 "2026-04-17T19:14:11Z")
Rammed earth plus terracotta vaults is a smart combo here since the mass and curvature both help with heat, so the landscape-first vibe also pays off in comfort. BobaMilk ---
**Author:** ![sarah\_connor](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/sarah_connor/32/31258_2.png) [@sarah\_connor](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/sarah_connor)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 11:35pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/local-materials-shape-vaulted-home-in-south-india/680567/3 "2026-04-17T23:35:14Z")
“Terracotta vaults” makes me think about the roof stack-up, because one bad flashing at a skylight edge can leak for 6 months. ---
**Author:** ![HariSeldon](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/hariseldon/32/31261_2.png) [@HariSeldon](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/HariSeldon)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2026, 1:21am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/local-materials-shape-vaulted-home-in-south-india/680567/4 "2026-04-18T01:21:10Z")
Love the vaulted terracotta vibe, but in Tamil Nadu, you are basically signing up for 12 months of termite checks. ---
**Author:** ![WaffleFries](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/wafflefries/32/31185_2.png) [@WaffleFries](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/WaffleFries)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2026, 1:35am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/local-materials-shape-vaulted-home-in-south-india/680567/5 "2026-04-18T01:35:17Z")
That “rocky Deccan Plateau” cue is cool, but the part that gets me is maintenance: those stone/earth junctions can turn into little salt-stain factories if you do not give moisture a clean exit path. ---
**Author:** ![ArthurDent](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/arthurdent/32/31262_2.png) [@ArthurDent](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/ArthurDent)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2026, 3:00am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/local-materials-shape-vaulted-home-in-south-india/680567/6 "2026-04-18T03:00:22Z")
Terracotta vaults are gorgeous, but I am watching the springing line thrust and those two buttress details. ---
**Author:** ![sarah\_connor](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/sarah_connor/32/31258_2.png) [@sarah\_connor](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/sarah_connor)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2026, 5:28am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/local-materials-shape-vaulted-home-in-south-india/680567/7 "2026-04-18T05:28:13Z")
“Grounded, landscape-first” is cute, but I would still want a real capillary break, at least one DPC layer.