The Soul of Wayand in a Nut
Nut by Onflow art and architecture is a celebration of the landscape and material building where the designers Junais T and Ashar Ali try to capture the soul of Wayand.
To understand the work and spirt of Onflow, one needs to go to the site of their project and see the level of involvement the designers have with the site and the project on hand.
Junais, the spirit behind Onflow, lives, breathes and experiences the process behind the build in minute detail. Most of their projects are a result of an ongoing interaction at the site, with builders, material, landscape and the makers.
In this mysterious tunnel like concrete structure that seems to follow the landscape, Nut is more of an art than a building.
The Nut is a design of contraries; the structure is the result of juxtaposing nature’s green with the brutalist architecture of concrete.
Onflow was initially founded by four individuals, Junais T, Ashar Ali, Anshid, and Shabeer during their second year of pursuing architecture diploma , guided by their tutor Bismina Akbar. Currently, Junais leads the creative team with fresh ideas, while Ashar serves as the 3D visualizer and landscape designer.
“Committed to our core values, we thrive on generating innovative concepts and discovering clever ways to use materials. Our journey is one of exploration and dedication, focusing on designs that blend creativity with sustainability,” says Junais.
How can a forgotten landscape take shape in their souls? Is there something we can draw from it, or is it simply the art of mimicking nature, asks the designers.
“The Nut is a humble attempt to capture the essence of Wayanadan landscape through a deep understanding of nature. The project concept is inspired by swallow birds and their intricate art of nest-building. Swallows carefully select materials and meticulously construct their nests, reflecting our pride in attention to detail and commitment to innovation,” explains Junais.
The essence of the project lies with the local tribes, who have contributed to the construction process and maintain a deep connection to nature.
“Our primary goal for this project is to seamlessly blend the architectural design with its natural surroundings. The design concept focuses on integrating the structure harmoniously within the environment, creating a symbiotic relationship between architecture and nature,” says Junais.
The project is currently under construction, and this phase of documentation highlights the placement of built volumes and their connectivity within the landscape. The enclosed volumes, pathways, and nodes are thoughtfully designed to enhance the overall experience of the place.
Project Details:
Project Name – NUT; ഒരു കാപ്പിത്തോട്ടം
Category – Architecture & Hospitality
Client – Asif
Design Firm – ONFLOW Art & Architecture
Principal Designer – Junais T & Ashar Ali (@junais_t, @_ashar_ali)
Site Area – 1.3 Acres
Year of Completion – 2025 (Work In Progress)
Location – Wayanad, Pulppali
Photographer – Hamdan (@iam_hamdan_)
