The brief from the client was to design a house for 3 on a 1200 sq.ft site—working techie couple with a young daughter and the occasional guest with 3 bedrooms and 2 car parks. This had to be done within a certain budget.
Editor’s Note: The earthy home in Bangalore explores multiple possibilities to experiment with brick volumes and textures. The double-height jali and the artificial lighting welcome warmth into the interiors, while the greenery further enhances the space. Although designed under constraints, efficient spatial planning creates an aura of abundance. The coffered ceiling above the traditional jhula is a perfect example of blending contemporary and traditional Indian architecture. – Gopika Pramod
A House Where Design Can Bring in Lots of Sunshine | Design Matters
They wanted a house which was’ not just another regular house ‘-A house where design can bring in lots of sunshine, spaces which delight with interesting volumes. They wanted efficient utilsation of the space as the space was limited. They liked the colour and tone of brick walls and wanted to use it for highlight walls.
Since the site was relatively small-30’x40’ ie.1200 site, we located the car park, lobby with lift and staircase and the guest bedroom with its toilet in the ground floor. This was done so we get the entire first floor footprint for designing a large living, dining, kitchen, utility and powder room.
The living ,dining and kitchen is a large seamless space with a double height courtyard area in between. The courtyard wall has a stunning double height jali which creates interesting shadow patterns depending on the seasons.
The courtyard is only differentiated by a flooring pattern of diagonal Jaisalmer marble square panels to highlight this area. The courtyard is skylight with a coffered ceiling-alternating panels of solids and voids.
The visual connection of the second floor bedrooms to the first floor is an important element as it gives the house a duplex feel and a feeling of spaciousness, Connecting the two is a small family/lounge area looking down to the court and the Jali wall.
We introduced a glass lift between the staircase as one has to access three levels and it would be convenient for the elderly to access the living dining as its on the first floor.
The second floor accommodates both the bedrooms with their respective walk in wardrobes and toilet. Each bedroom has a louvred window which when opened ,looks down to the courtyard
We took inspiration from the amazing Indian modern architecture done by our contemporaries.
We wanted to use a contemporary language and blend it with brick wall accents which would make it a bit more earthy and relatable.
The central skylight courtyard done in innumerable Indian homes was another inspiration, but we adapted the same concept without a level difference-A more seamless space which lights up the central part of the house and creates interesting patterns of light due to the coffered skylight in this area…hence this courtyard and the double height jali wall is the USP of the project.
The materials used is conventional RCC and solid block walls. However,the walls are highlighted with locally sourced wire cut brick cladding. The flooring consists mainly of Kota look alike tile from Ezio and the courtyard consists of Jaisalmer marble inlays. The treads of the steps is also made up of Jaisalmer marble. Brick Jalis are sourced from Nuvocotto.
Fact File
Designed by: Design Matters
Project Type: Residential Interior & Architecture Design
Project Name: ’Vivek’s Residence’
Location: Bangalore
Year Built: 2022-2023
Duration of the project: 18 Months
Plot Area: 1200 Sq.ft
Built-up Area: 3200 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ar. Kiran Hanumaiah
Team Design Credits: Ar. Harshitha Chandrashekhar, Abhijith,Zeeshan & Femi Thomas(Interiors)
Photograph Courtesy: Ajay Devasia
Products / Materials / Vendors: Wallcovering / Cladding –Locally sourced wire cut brick cladding Construction Materials –Solid cement block walls and RCC Roof / Lighting –Mascon, WIPRO, decorative lights sourced from Chikpet / Doors and Partitions –Custom made / Sanitaryware –Jaguar / Windows –Upvc windows by Seccurit / Furniture –Client Sourced / Flooring – tiles from ENZIO,Jaisalmer marble for highlights and staircase / Kitchen –Dimension Interio / Paint –Asian paints / Artefacts –Client Sourced Lights-Beruru Jali-Nuvocotto
Consultants for the Project: Civil – Mr.Nagaraj Kolkere / Structure Engineers – Yogesh Babu / Lighting Designers – Design Matters, Bangalore / Quantity Surveyors – Mr. Srinivas Bhat
Firm’s Website Link: Design Matters
Firm’s Instagram Link: Design Matters
Firm’s Facebook Link: Design Matters
For Similar Projects >> 402 Serene Home: A Harmonious Blend of Modern and Traditional Residential Interiors
KRIPA is a residence that reflects the personality and lifestyle of its homeowner — calm, open, and rooted in nature. The project focuses on creating light-filled, green spaces with minimal private zones, encouraging openness and connection. In a time when spaces are shrinking but expectations are rising, architecture becomes the medium to bridge this gap […]
The Sculpted Sanctuary is a masterclass in modern minimalist design. The project focuses on “Quiet Luxury”. It is the idea that a space doesn’t need bright colors or flashy decor to feel expensive. Instead, it uses raw natural materials, rich textures, and sharp architectural lines. This Home Is A Masterclass In Modern Minimalist Design | […]
A home is a living canvas. More than a carefully planned housing scheme, it is a silent witness to everyday routines, shared laughter, and collective memories that shape a lasting sense of belonging. It is defined by the intangible threads that quietly bind a family together. Housing Scheme: A Contemporary Home Designed Around Everyday Living […]
SIDHARTHA, is a four-bedroom modern house which is functional and aesthetic driven by the specific needs of the client. The location of the site is in a dense neighbourhood in Bengaluru, India. The contemporary urban dwelling frequently negotiates competing demands. It balances generous daylight and visual connection to the street with privacy, dust control, and […]
The first thing one notices at Ekya, a 12,000 sqft house in Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills, is the silence of the wilderness. Courtyards and terracesrise at different levels rife with dense foliage. A three-storey-high boulder wall makes the house appear as though it has been carved from the rock, while the chirping of birds adds to […]
Layers don’t just sit here; they breathe, shift, and whisper through light. The Screen, set in the sun-drenched fabric of Solapur, Maharashtra, isn’t trying to scream luxury. It doesn’t need to. It moves quieter than that, more composed, more intentional, like a pause button carved into the chaos of the city. Spread across 4,125 sq. […]
We conceive EMA not as a conventional architectural object, but as a living continuum of memory, ecology, and craft. Located in Malappuram, Kerala, the 1,700 sq. ft. residence, designed with thermal comfort draws from vernacular wisdom and the philosophy of the Kaavu—the sacred grove—where humans, nature, and other living beings coexist without hierarchy. Within this […]
Set within the lush landscapes of Bharanikavu in Kollam, Arcade – a single storey residence that blends tropical modern architecture with colonial and traditional elements. Designed for a businessman, his wife (a teacher) and their two daughters, this house showcases a shared interest for elegance rooted in familiarity. This Single Storey Home Sits Amidst Lush […]
Located in HMT Layout, Bangalore, Isha_Srinidhi Nilaya stands as a multi-generational home designed on a compact 60×40 ft (2400 sq. ft) East facing plot, with a total built-up area of 8000 sq. ft. East Facing a lush public park, the residence responds to its urban setting through a layered design that balances privacy with a […]
Nestled within a 30×40 ft plot is the compact house design in Banashankari 6th Stage, Bengaluru. This residence for the Ellappans, reimagines traditional Indian living in a contemporary, spatially dynamic form. Designed for a family of three- Mr. Ellappan, his wife, and their teenage son- the house expresses a deep connection to vernacular roots while […]