Irā

In conversations about the future of design, innovation often circles back to origins. Earth-based materials like lime, brick, wood, and terrazzo are no longer nostalgic gestures but vital tools in shaping homes attuned to climate and consciousness. In South City 1, Gurugram, designer Neeharikka Pahwa brings this philosophy to life through Irā, a thoughtfully renovated 1BHK envisioned as a self-healing ecosystem. Irā began as a structural intervention but evolved into a deeper inquiry into how we build and inhabit space. The client was clear from the outset: this would not be a cosmetic upgrade. It had to embody her values of composting, reusing, growing food, and mindful consumption. The home, she insisted, must breathe with her. The turning point came with the rediscovery of araaish, a traditional lime plaster celebrated for its breathability, thermal comfort, and rare self-healing properties. Lime became the conceptual and material anchor of the project. Applied seamlessly across walls, ceilings, and even floors, its soft matte finish and earthen tones created a calming, monolithic envelope. Beyond aesthetics, it offered a living surface- one that absorbs, regulates, and ages gracefully. Artisans from Rajasthan were invited to execute the lime application using time-honoured techniques. As the process unfolded, hierarchy dissolved. The client immersed herself in the craft, even setting up a micro-plant in her backyard to experiment with mixing araaish. The renovation became a collaborative learning ground- designer, artisan, and homeowner working as equals. Notably, the project was completed without a contractor or project management team. The homeowner led execution herself, treating the home as preparation for her long-term dream: building a sustainable house in the Himalayan foothills. What could have been a constraint became empowerment. For Neeharikka, the project reaffirmed that sustainability is not limited to material choice. It informs pace, process, and purpose. Every layer of Irā reflects a slower rhythm of making- one that values craft, collaboration, and care.