The initial goal of this modern brick house was to restrict the design to a set budget and maximise the use of the plot boundaries. Located in a dense residential neighbourhood of Gadag, this detached corner brick house sits on a plot of 50×40 feet. Roads flank on the east and north. Despite the small plot size, these converging roads provide an open foreground, allowing ample natural light to enter the building. Large openings are on the east façade to take advantage of this openness. The owners, a retired couple, had only two main suggestions.
Editor’s Note: “This brick house in the neighbourhood of Gadag has a spacious interior within a compact site and a limited budget. The warm, earthy interiors visually connect spaces despite the solid three-tired exterior, inviting nature through the courtyards and openings. The exposed brick jali adds a unique touch to the form that considers the conscious choice of materials.” – Gopika Pramod
This Modern Brick House Restricts The Design To A Set Budget | Jacob + Rathodi Architects
The house stands out from its surroundings due to its contrasting hue and form. While the building is a solid form from the outside, the interior contradicts this perception, revealing that the outer form is merely a shell encompassing a large volume within.
The interior feels more voluminous compared to its footprint. The design of the house have two main aspects: spatial volume and the choice of building materials.
Volume, being the central axis, is curated by a large triple-height void that also connects all levels of the dwelling. The sleeping spaces are the only enclosed rooms, while the rest are fluid spaces that blend into the void at various levels.
This void is further subdivided by bridges that span the two upper floors, transforming the volume into transparent, visually connected spaces nested within a concrete shell.
Moreover, a residual garden court at the side anchors the dining space, forming the base of this high volume. The dining space also serves as a vantage point from any level of the house.
The other design consideration was the conscious choice of materials, specifically exposed brick and mild steel. However, the colour palette for the house was primarily derived from the natural hues of these materials, including bricks, steel, wood, and granite.
Both the interior and exterior are dressed in exposed bricks arranged in various patterns to create natural texture and colour. A steel plate trellis that rises from ground level envelops the double-height garden court and extends to the skylight in the roof.
Designed as a security feature, this trellis also serves as an architectural element, integrating the garden with the interior while addressing security concerns. The screen wall at the staircase is composed of bricks framed by mild steel I-sections, forming a key feature of the triple-height void.
Steel is also used for railings, car porch roof trellis, window framing, roof edging, and built-in cabinetry, contributing to a minimalist aesthetic. These materials are exposed in their true form to create an intentional character in the building.
Skylights, large windows, and wall openings with glass blocks allow natural light to penetrate deep into the interior spaces, merging the dwelling into a burst of light, shadow, and brightness.
Fact File
Designed by: Jacob + Rathodi Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Corner Brick House
Location: Gadag, Karnataka
Year Built: 2019
Duration of the project: 18 Months
Plot Area: 2000 Sq.ft
Built-up Area: 3100 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Ar. Girish Rathodi & Ar. Vineetha Sara Jacob
Photograph Courtesy: Sudheer Hegde
Civil: Rabani Nagral
Products / Materials / Vendors: Wallcovering / Cladding – Exposed Brick / Lighting – Hybec / Sanitaryware – American Standards / Windows – My Windows / Paint –Asianpaints
Firm’s Instagram Link: Jacob + Rathodi Architects
Firm’s Facebook Link: Jacob + Rathodi Architects
For Similar Project>> The Beautifully Designed Central Court Is The Soul Of The Monolithic House
Conceived as a dialogue between architecture and landscape in Alibag, CASAVIVA transforms the house into a sequence of spaces where nature becomes an integral part of everyday life. This Home In Alibag Is Conceived As A Dialogue Between Architecture & Landscape | SHROFFLEoN Design Brief Designed for a family seeking a calm and timeless residence, […]
Some homes begin with a drawing, and The Saffron Verandah began with an orchard. In the mango-growing landscapes of Shoolagiri, a quiet hamlet in northern Tamil Nadu, the land has settled into its own rhythm over generations. Rows of mature mango trees stretch across nearly three-quarters of an acre, their broad canopies tempering the southern […]
The house is conceived as a metaphor for the valley it inhabits. The design borrows the language of a bustling street skyline, stretching the home along a corner site so it frames the valley and its lake. Three linear bays, offset vertically and linked by corridors, open the plan to filtered western light and cross […]
The site is located in Ahilyanagar town of Maharashtra, with a design brief of 7,000 sq feet, while the house had to be designed for the hot and dry climate, which responds carefully to extreme temperatures, intense sunlight, and low humidity. The design focuses on reducing heat gain, improving natural ventilation, and creating comfortable indoor spaces with […]
“Pravah” — A House That Breathes is envisioned as the main concept of this home revolves around a fluid, light-filled home where architecture becomes a continuous experience of movement, air, and connection. Located in Pal Gamtal, Surat, the project is a residential redevelopment on a 1,850 sq.ft. plot within a dense urban fabric. The site, […]
Editor’s Note: There’s a quiet clarity in homes that are shaped by real, everyday needs. Alcove feels like a thoughtful response to just that, balancing openness with comfort in a setting rooted in tradition. Moving away from a dense, older home, this residence embraces light, air, and simplicity while still holding on to its Kerala […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
Architecture font choices go beyond style—they shape how your work is perceived. From portfolios to presentations, the right architecture font instantly communicates clarity, precision, and personality. As architects, we design not just with space but with every detail, including typography. Selecting a strong architecture font shows your commitment to visual storytelling and design consistency. In […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]
Plants for home garden, apart from making houses look more beautiful and inviting, add health and calmness to them. Having any kind of indoor plant, a herb plant or a flowering plant adds some value to your decor and the quality of the space. Always choose plants that will flourish in your space and climate. […]