Ar Parul Zaveri’s Stone Domes of Lime, Rubble and Rhythm

With a keen eye for historical intricacies, Parul delicately weaves tales of bygone eras into the fabric of contemporary design. Each project becomes a dialogue between tradition and modernity, with the past serving as both muse and mentor.

The stone domes at Tree of Life Resort mark a milestone in contemporary stone construction, achieved entirely through traditional methods and local craftsmanship. We proposed and the client embraced a bold approach: no cement, only lime mortar; no dressed stone, only random rubble; no structural consultants or formal drawings.

Twelve large and fifteen small domes were built using squinch techniques to transition from square bases to circular forms. The initial formwork was made from cow dung cakes shaped with mud mortar and plastered for a smooth finish, over which the stone dome was constructed.

This process not only revived age-old techniques but also built trust among all stakeholders in the power of traditional materials and knowledge in modern architecture.