Gaushaala, meaning "cowshed" in Sanskrit, is a dairy facility in the Aravalli Hills of south Rajasthan. It houses a herd of 40 native Gir cows, contributing to the conservation of the breed.
The building is sited beside a rocky outcrop, a location chosen to protect the surrounding farmland and trees, while it provides natural shelter from prevailing winds. Its skeleton of steel portal frames sits lightly in the landscape, following the contours of the land and preserving the existing vegetation. An undulating roof guides rainwater away, featuring a large overhang offering protection to the cows and agricultural workers during the seasonal heavy storms.
The project is centred on the client's commitment to circularity and the use of local resources, with all building materials sourced within a 30 km radius. Waste from an existing building deemed structurally unsound, including 360 tonnes of reclaimed structural steel and 200 tonnes of stone rubble and crushed concrete, has been reused within the project. The result is a hybrid of modern and traditional practices.
Studio Saar also expanded the brief so that waste from the farming process is recycled to produce power, making the farm’s ongoing agricultural operations self-sufficient and supporting local employment.
