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 embracing modern sensibilities.
From the beginning, the client envisioned a home that reflected an Indianness– tactile materials, flowing spaces, a connection to the sky, while also moving away from the typical, single-level, flat-plane arrangement. He specifically asked us to experiment with levels, ensuring that no two major spaces like kitchen, living, bedrooms sat together on the same floor plate. This requirement became the backbone of the design narrative, creating a vertically dynamic home where movement and light flow seamlessly.
This Compact House Design is Rooted in Tradition | Design Matters
Built on a 1200 sq ft east-facing site, the design had to maximize the vertical volume without feeling claustrophobic. With a built-up area of 3800sq ft, the house spirals gently upward around a central courtyard. As you step into the house, you are greeted by this serene open-to-sky courtyard, anchored by a hand-crafted light rubberwood staircase on an MS steel frame. Purposefully kept slender and sculptural, the staircase visually and physically weaves the multiple levels together, wrapping itself delicately around the central skylight.
Despite the tight site, natural light floods the home from expansive bay windows- a thoughtful feature that defines many of our works and a strategically placed skylight at the core. Cane pendant lamps are suspended dramatically from the topmost skylight, flowing through the entire height of the house, tying the levels verticality together. By night, the house glows warmly, illuminated softly at every level.
Materiality was critical to root the home in warmth and tradition. Exposed brick walls define the interiors, complemented by an earthy, natural palette throughout creating interiors that feel both grounded and welcoming. Floors transition between cool Kota stone and Jaisalmer marble, creating a palette that feels both grounded and luminous. The wall behind the staircase becomes an artwork in itself- a beautiful brick pattern that rises from the ground floor to the terrace, making the vertical journey visually engaging, mesmerizing and contrasting elegantly with the lightness of the stair.
The home is planned across three primary levels, structured into eastern, middle, and western zones- with the central zone dedicated to circulation elements like the courtyard, skylight, staircase, and lift, connecting the different levels seamlessly.
On the ground floor, a small open-to-sky courtyard greets visitors right at the entrance, setting a warm, earthy tone for the home. Parking is accommodated towards the front, while a hobby room is tucked away at the rear, acoustically treated to support the family’s passion for music from drums to tabla and sitar practices without disrupting the calm of the rest of the house.
The first floor houses the primary living spaces. The eastern side accommodates the dining and kitchen area, while the western side holds the living room. The design team smartly tucks a hidden powder toilet into the circulation core.
The living space blends earthy finishes with soft minimalism, with Jaisalmer stone flooring running throughout and a warm wooden grid ceiling above. Expansive bay windows frame greenery outside, drawing in natural light and seamlessly connecting the indoors to the landscape.
Moving up to the second floor, the two main bedrooms are placed on either side – east and west. Further, the team designs each space with a minimalistic, earthy material palette.
Kota stone flooring lends a cool, grounded texture. Custom wooden beds with cane-finished laminated headboards and matching wardrobes define each space.
Every bedroom features a walk-in wardrobe and a private bathroom. Also, a signature bay window that draws in soft light and views of the surroundings.
The design team splits the third floor into two distinct experiences. On the eastern side, the open-to-sky terrace becomes a much-needed breakout zone- a breathing space amidst the urban fabric. A patterned tile flooring anchors the terrace visually. Further, complemented by a cantilevered black granite bench that runs along the edge- sharp, minimal, and sculptural.
A terracotta jaali wall becomes the terrace’s defining feature, offering privacy, dappled light, and space for planters to thrive. An MS pergola topped with translucent glass filters soft daylight into the space, making it ideal for morning workouts, evening gatherings, or quiet reflection under the sky.
On the western side, a third bedroom extends out to a semi-private balcony, where a circular skylight overhead brings a soft, filtered glow into the space- creating a private, contemplative nook.
Throughout all levels, the vertical connection is enhanced by the central courtyard and a light, sculptural staircase in rubberwood and MS, wrapping around the skylight above. This circulation spine, along with exposed brickwork and handcrafted details, ties the entire home together with a sense of continuity, warmth, and rootedness.
Fact File
Designed by: Design Matters
Project Type: Residential Interior & Architecture Design
Project Name: The Ellappan Residence
Location: Bangalore
Year Built: 2025
Duration of the project: 1 Years
Built-up Area: 3800 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ar. Kiran Hanumaiah
Team Design Credits: Ar. Kiran Hanumaiah, Ar. Keerthana, Ar. Mrudula, Ar. Kanishka & Ar. Mathura
Photograph Courtesy: Ajay Devasia
Civil: Nagraj Shettigar
Structure Engineers: Mydesigns
Products / Materials / Vendors: Construction Materials – Cement Block walls, RCC Roof / Lighting –LEDWELL, Madonnas / Sanitaryware –Jaguar / Windows – Seccuritt UPVC Windows / Flooring –Kota, Jaisalmer marble / Kitchen –Spaceedge Design / Paint –Asian paints
Firm’s Website Link: Design Matters
The Firm’s Instagram Link: Design Matters
Firm’s Facebook Link: Design Matters
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