The Chronicles of Wallmakers started in 2007 inspired by a vision to reshape the design industry. Along the path, countless revelations steered the practice towards the embrace of sustainable and cost-effective design. This odyssey has beckoned to integrate the most unorthodox of materials—abandoned toys, weathered tyres, discarded scraps, and the very sands of the desert. Wallmakers has witnessed the alchemy of these elements, as they breathe new life into their creations and leave a gentle footprint on the environment. Each metamorphosis has fortified their resolve to persist in this extraordinary and unconventional pursuit.

Throughout history, walls have mostly transcended their role as mere physical barriers. They have marked territories for defence, provided shelter, and even restricted movement. Walls have symbolised power, strength, and resilience, shaping civilisations. The onset of architectural exploration has been marked by the presence of walls from the beginning. From early settlements built to enclose and protect, to grander walls that assert sovereignty, walls have embodied a multitude of dynamic and symbolic notions. For the Wallmakers, however, walls are elements that transcend the conventional. They articulate ideas by forming spaces, each possessing a unique characteristic of its own. In interior spaces, walls become multifaceted elements, embodying protection, individuality, and artistic expression. They transform areas into meaningful environments by defining boundaries, creating privacy, and ultimately elevating the quality of the space. Louis Kahn rightly said, “Architecture appears for the first time when the sunlight hits a wall”

When the practice began, they pursued a path that deviated from the conventional approach, inspired by Gandhi's statement about building with materials found within a five-mile radius of homes. This became one of the core ideologies. They primarily worked with Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks (CSEB) using the soil from the site. However, at the start, securing projects proved to be quite challenging. So, when they were given the opportunity to build a compound wall, they were immensely grateful. For most architects, designing and constructing a compound wall may not seem particularly challenging or exciting, but for this team, it marked the beginning of their journey.

Naming themselves ‘Wallmakers’ symbolised the start of their research, challenges, and experiments, setting them on an unconventional path.

One of the firm's early projects is the St. George Orthodox Church in Kerala, constructed on the foundation of a historic monument. This project resurrected the original church, which had fallen into shambles after years of neglect and encroachment. A construction technique involving masonry with earth blocks and mud mortar was employed, eschewing shuttering to create an array of arches, domes, and vaults. Rammed earth and compressed earth blocks were the primary materials used. These structural elements also lend an earthy warm quality to the interior spaces. The masons received on-site training to build with compressed stabilised earth blocks, utilising the ancient Nubian technology of arch and vault construction without extensive shuttering—a technique revitalised in the early 20th century by architect Hassan Fathy.

Building with soil and materials within a 5-mile radius of the project site posed challenges, particularly due to the lack of good-quality soil, especially in urban contexts. However, debris and discarded materials are abundant in such areas, prompting their exploration.

For Wallmakers, walls have always been a conceptual element of architecture, incredibly valuable in conveying the philosophy in their built narrative. Perhaps the project that truly diverted their path was Biju Mathew’s Residence (also known as the Debris House). This project gained considerable attention for its use of scrap, recycled materials, and debris from the site, which became integral to the residence's identity. It marked the inception of one of their distinctive traits—using debris in construction— and could be seen as the precursor to the breakthrough of the Shuttered Debris Wall technique.

 Meter boxes from a local scrapyard form a mural on the rammed earth walls, evolving with the passing day. Coconut shells, used as fillers in the concrete roof, impart a contemporary touch to the structure.

Debris House, Kerala |2015 A sustainable translation of scrap, recycled materials and debris into walls and roofs.

Meter boxes from a local scrapyard form a mural on the rammed earth walls, evolving with the passing day. Coconut shells, used as fillers in the concrete roof, impart a contemporary touch to the structure.

Chirath, Kerala | 2018 Terracotta tile jali and scrap materials seamlessly integrate into the 'walls' of this project, defining spaces while facilitating ventilation and enhancing natural lighting.

Chirath, completed in 2018, emerged as a project that broke free from the conventional design language of Kerala houses while still retaining certain traditional characteristics. It showcased the Shuttered Debris Wall, a technique patented by the Wallmakers. This method involves skillfully mixing cement, soil, and waste materials of various sizes (coarse aggregate) ranging from 10mm to 70mm to create a robust wall (with a compressive strength of 5.2 MPa). This innovative wall construction requires only 1/5th of the embodied energy compared to materials like concrete blocks, leading to significantly lower carbon emissions.

The successful realisation of the Shuttered Debris Wall technique presented numerous possibilities. In the case of The Ledge, a residential project nestled on the edge of a hill in Kerala, large quantities of small loose stones unearthed during the foundation excavation process were repurposed in the construction of the Shuttered Debris Wall. This technique was adapted ingeniously, with the stones inserted into the debris mix in alternating bands within the shutters. The shuttered debris wall exemplifies how a wall can be more than just an interior partition or barrier. It serves a greater purpose by addressing the challenge of construction waste while mitigating the unsustainable exploitation of resources. It inspires keys and clues to optimistically look at life. If one limits oneself to the basic function and aesthetics of any element, true innovation and improvisation will always remain out of reach.

In today's design landscape, a profound shift is unfolding. As architects and designers craft new structures, the focus has increasingly gravitated toward aesthetics and adherence to a prevailing 'ideal theme.' Yet, this preoccupation often comes at the expense of a deeper understanding of the fundamental elements and methods that truly define and shape spaces—elements that are the very essence of architectural responsibility. While designing Chuzhi, Wallmakers’ primary concern was building on a site characterised by rocky terrain, towering trees, and dense vegetation. However, these very characteristics inspired an unconventional yet remarkable approach. The project prompted them to challenge the traditional perception of walls and to "deconstruct" their concept to better resonate with the surrounding environment, shaping interior spaces with a strong umbilical cord to nature. The swirls of precast poured debris earth composite bottle beams, crafted from 4000 discarded plastic bottles, encircle the three large Tamarind trees on site. This design seamlessly translates the natural context into the built spaces. In Chuzhi, the swirls begin as walls and spiral upwards to form the roof. Instead of imposing clear boundaries as barriers, they blur the distinction between the steep rocky topography and the built environment.

The project prompted them to challenge the traditional perception of walls and to "deconstruct" their concept to better resonate with the surrounding environment, shaping interior spaces with a strong umbilical cord to nature.

Chuzhi, Tamil Nadu I 2022 An attempt to deconstruct the traditional concept of walls, camouflaging the environment.

"-this doesn't necessarily mean they must be linear elements that block out the exterior or act as obstacles; they can be permeable or dynamic membranes."

The definition of walls greatly depends on the perspective. In interior environments, walls dictate spatial characteristics, shaping how we experience the space. However, this doesn't necessarily mean they must be linear elements that block out the exterior or act as obstacles; they can be permeable or dynamic membranes. The 3-minute pavilion designed for the Sharjah Architectural Triennial 2023 embodies this idea. The entire pavilion was constructed using tyres collected from various waste facilities in Sharjah. Approximately 1425 tyres, along with desert sand—commonly deemed unsuitable for construction— were used, creating a thermally insulated and cooler space for the interiors. This pavilion showcases the potential of utilising discarded materials.

When a project arose in Vadakara, North Kerala, where toy consumption is high, a similar philosophy of integrating waste was enforced. The Toy Storey Residence incorporates 6200 discarded and donated old toys into the composite CSEB Jali wall, functioning as a perforated external skin.

The concept of walls has long symbolised closure and safety to people, yet they represent more than just their physical attributes. Throughout their journey, Wallmakers has continuously strived to redefine the concept of a wall— the idea, and the materials themselves. This has enabled them to break free from the monotony often associated with walls by incorporating techniques such as CSEB, Shuttered Debris Wall, and intriguing materials like stone quarry waste, toys, tyres, and thatch. Walls are fundamental elements that shape the experience of a space. For those of us who look beyond traditional perspectives, walls are invaluable elements for expressing and framing thoughts in reality.

for Wallmakers, Walls are more than mere barriers; they embody the aspirations, reflect the dreams, and signify a future where design and architecture harmonise with nature and humanity.

Wallmakers in retrospect, has been able to identify, acknowledge and address that walls transcend their traditional roles, evolving into canvases for creativity, emblems of sustainability, and connectors between natural and built spaces, between inside and outside. From modest beginnings to innovative techniques, they have embraced unconventional materials, shaping spaces with purpose and deep dedication.

They drive the thought into us that our walls serve not only as physical structures but as reminders of immense potential- that every obstacle holds the seed of innovation. Let us continue to build, not just with bricks and mortar, but with vision, humility, and a profound respect for our environment.

In the end, for Wallmakers, walls are more than mere barriers; they embody the aspirations, reflect the dreams, and signify a future where design and architecture harmonise with nature and humanity. This is their humble tribute to walls—symbols of shelter, creativity, and the enduring quest for exploration.