Nestled between the bustling residential and industrial edges of Bengaluru, Ihita stands as a bold architectural statement, embodying a harmonious blend of traditional Indian house design and modernity. The home challenges conventional urban residential design by prioritizing openness, natural light, and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Through the strategic use of large fenestrations, skylights, and carefully placed cutouts, the residence transforms into a luminous sanctuary, offering a stark contrast to the dense urban fabric that surrounds it.
Ihita Redefines Traditional Indian House Design with a Modern Architectural Statement | Bare Wall Studio
Ihita’s design draws profound inspiration from the traditional “Thotti mane” courtyard houses of Karnataka. A contemporary sensibility reinterprets this vernacular archetype, highlighting its central sunken courtyard.
At its heart lies a sunken living room, flanked by a double-height volume. Moreover, it serves as the focal point of the home.
This central void bathes every room in light and visually links them to the home’s core. Additionally, it fosters a sense of interconnectedness.
This modern adaptation not only pays homage to the region’s architectural heritage but also enhances the functional dynamics of the home.
The residence clearly delineates public and private spaces through meticulous organization. The ground floor, a realm of communal activity, houses a spacious living area, a functional kitchen, and a welcoming guest bedroom.
Ascending to the first floor, one enters the private sanctuary of the bedrooms. Moreover, each bedroom fosters both introspection and connection through thoughtful design. All bedrooms open onto balconies, sit-outs, and corner windows that foster a dialogue between the interior and exterior.
The terrace, an extension of the private realm, transforms into an intimate entertainment space. Thus, offering panoramic views and a tranquil retreat.
Natural light plays a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of the home. Massive skylights allow sunlight to cascade into the interiors. However, this creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow that evolves with the passage of time and seasons.
This deliberate design choice not only enhances the spatial experience but also influences the daily rhythms of the inhabitants. Thus, grounding them in the natural world.
Ihita’s “House of Bare Walls” concept celebrates the inherent beauty of raw materials. Exposed concrete ceilings, porotherm walls, brickwork, and lime plaster create a rich tapestry of textures, lending the home a rustic yet sophisticated ambiance.
This material honesty is further enhanced by the seamless integration of stone finish tiles, slate, and carefully chosen tile patterns, each element contributing to the overall sense of tranquility and understated luxury.
The architectural integrity of Ihita is evident in its structural design. A flat slab construction technique eliminates the need for intrusive columns and beams, creating expansive, uninterrupted spaces. This structural clarity allows the meticulously curated interior details to shine.
Ihita’s narrative is deeply rooted in the preservation and celebration of heritage. Reclaimed Chettinad artefacts from Karaikudi, artfully integrated throughout the home, infuse the spaces with a sense of history and timeless elegance, from the repurposed Chettinad columns that grace the sunken living room to the reclaimed swing in the foyer and the transformed antique door serving as a dining table.
The material palette is deliberately understated, with dark wood veneers, brass accents, fluted glass, and jali walls adding subtle layers of luxury and character.
The facade, though subtle, makes a striking impression. The balcony is treated to create an illusion of floating bricks, a playful yet sophisticated detail that hints at the ingenuity within.
Each space within Ihita is designed as a peaceful retreat, inviting inhabitants to unwind and reconnect with their surroundings. From the carefully curated art and artefacts to the thoughtful integration of natural elements, the home is a testament to the power of architecture to inspire, comfort, and transform. It is not just a dwelling but a living, breathing entity that evolves with its inhabitants, embodying the timeless interplay of light, space, and tradition.
Fact File
Designed by: Bare Wall Studio
Project Type: Residential Architecture & Interior Design
Project Name: House of Bare Walls
Location: Bangalore
Year Built: 2023
Duration of the project: 18 Months
Project Size: 4200 Sq.ft
Project Cost: 1.25 Crore
Principal Architect: Ar. Rishab Sudarshan
Team Design Credits: Edel Dsouza, Sushma Venkatesh, Hrishikesh, Gautham M.D, LintaSanty, Supriya Ramesh & Saurabh Pradeep
Photograph Courtesy: Gopikrishnan Vijikumar
Structure Engineers: Rajesh Consultants
Products / Materials / Vendors: Finishes – Limocoat, Asian paints / Construction Materials – Plastic formwork, Porotherm bricks / Lighting – Theon, White Teak / Sanitaryware – Toto / Furniture – Custom made / Flooring – Tile Lounge / Kitchen – Hettich / Paint – Asian paints / Artefacts – Karaikudi / Wallpaper – Homestories / Hardware – Ebco
Firm’s Website Link: Bare Wall Studio
The Firm’s Instagram Link: Bare Wall Studio
Firm’s Facebook Link: Bare Wall Studio
For Similar Project >>> The Brick House Exterior is a Jewel in the Dense Urban Fabric
This rustic farmhouse for a family aims at re-defining tradition to blend in modern thought. Make it contemporary but traditional, was a brief given to the Architect by the client to redesign and build a century-old farmhouse sprawling across 3500 square feet on a 3-acre site in Morbe, Panvel. Editor’s Note: The redesigning of this […]
This high ceiling house in a quiet, leafy corner of Sushant Lok, Gurgaon, was built to respond to the presence of a beautiful Alstonia tree. The home’s form steps back from the ground upwards to create decks and terraces that overlook the garden and tree on every level. Editor’s Note: “This home, with Alstonia trees […]
Tiny house designs are very exciting and intimidating in themselves. Moreover, they come with their benefits and challenges as well. To know and understand tiny house designs, one must have enough knowledge about the challenges one can face. It can be individual or separate entities and also can be shared living spaces. The following are […]
This luxury residential farmhouse, designed in a contemporary farmhouse style, has a total covered slab area of 14000 square feet and a plot area of 24000 square feet, is located in the Sultanpur Patti region, about 39.8 kilometers from Corbett National Park. It has been designed to add a sense of the local environment in […]
Aquant, with nearly two decades of experience, leads India’s premium bathroom solutions market, offering a wide range of stylish bath fittings, faucets, and spa concepts in multiple PVD finishes. Collaborating with global OEM partners and top Indian designers, Aquant ensures innovation, quality, and luxury across 52 cities with 300+ dealers. In this exclusive interview at […]
The project involves the design and construction of a modern residential villa that emphasizes functionality, comfort, and contemporary aesthetics. Contextualized in the suburbs of Ahmedabad city, the house balances open and semi-private spaces organized through thoughtful volumes and a grid system. The central open space serves as the heart of the design, connecting transitional spaces […]
In the heart of every home, the Angan stands as a sacred court. It is a personal yet public space that witnesses the playful childhoods, festive celebrations, gatherings, and even tranquility for one. This project makes an honest attempt to reintroduce the idea of a court in the design, amalgamating it with modern needs, embodying […]
This five-floor residential building in KUKATPALLY showcases thoughtful planning and modern functionality. This vertical house is tailored to meet the evolving needs of a multigenerational family. Designed for a client with two sons, the home seamlessly blends shared spaces, private retreats, and clever spatial planning. This Vertical House Offers the Perfect Balance of Privacy and […]
Mr. Rajesh Vadgama reached out to Ar. Jay Thakkar through a mutual acquaintance after purchasing a residential plot. Following an initial meeting and several site visits, a concept for a compact yet luxurious Luxury House was developed. The final design featured an expansive, well-planned layout with a spacious living room, a double-height dining area that […]
When you walk into a room, what’s the first thing you notice in the interiors? The furniture, the walls, or the ceiling? Often overlooked, the ceiling plays a significant role in defining the ambiance of a room. If you’re looking to add some flair, sophistication, or a modern touch to your living room, false ceiling […]