The Turahalli House, a residence for a family of three, is located in the quiet suburbs of southern Bangalore. This 30-foot by 40-foot plot near the Turahalli forest is part of a planned neighbourhood by the government. A relatively smaller plot and a detailed brief from the client made for a contrast in design strategy. Their requirement for an airy and spacious home in a limited space was the main challenge for us.
A Contrast Design Stands Out In the Turahalli House | Shoulder Tap
Driving along the hilly terrain, you can already spot the structure from a couple of blocks away. Soon, the red bricks of the façade glisten in the sun, standing out in stark contrast design. Meanwhile, the green of the landscape and the blue of the sky together create the perfect backdrop.
As you arrive closer, the structure gradually reveals greater intricacy. With its curved walls and dark stone finish, the ground floor creates a striking contrast with the rest of the building. When you slide open the metal gate, you step into a garden space, where a sculptural green staircase curves upward on the right and a tranquil pond rests beneath it.
The green draws you in, and as you ascend the staircase, you begin to experience subtle shifts in volumes. As you walk along, your eyes first catch a glimpse of the skylight on the topmost floor, followed by a distinct volume projecting from the second floor, leading your gaze downward. Finally, your eyes rest on the striking ceiling of the foyer. This entry sequence becomes a precursor to the home’s architectural charm, hence the name – House of Surprises.
The main door opens into a smaller volume, following which you turn and step up into a spacious living and dining area. Defined by its high ceiling, this space is flanked on the east and west by large windows, while to the south, a freestanding wall set back from the main structure creates a slender slit that captures the sun’s movement throughout the day. With changing lights and an open layout, the space holds time within its experience, thus inviting users to linger for hours.
The kitchen showcases a bold mix of Rajasthan green marble and warm wooden shutters, balancing the ambience equally. While visually tucked away from the living room, it opens into the dining area, reflecting the home’s thoughtful contrast design.
Climbing a narrow dog-legged staircase to the next floor, the volume shifts to a more intimate scale, thus reflecting the privacy of the bedrooms it houses. Yellow triangular inserts on the floor draw attention to the use of two local Indian stones, Kota and Tandur, all the while combined in a striking pattern.
On this level, a double-height balcony in green expresses the home’s contrast design, thus standing apart from the scale and atmosphere of the bedrooms. Serving as a key connecting element, it links multiple levels while also tying into the entrance volume on the floor above.
The topmost level, that features a multi-use space with a balcony has an opening towards the east. Since it is similar in size to the living room, this space is designed to host the family’s more intimate gatherings.
Fact File
Designed by: Shoulder Tap
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: The Turahalli House
Location: Thurahalli, Bangalore
Year Built: 2024
Project Size: 3700 Sq.ft
Photograph Courtesy: Rahul Palagani – Studio Nara
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: Shoulder Tap
Firm’s Instagram Link: Shoulder Tap
Firm’s Facebook Link: Shoulder Tap
For Similar Project >> This Residential Villa Defies the Surrounding Modernity | Blocher Partners India
“Viraam,” a 4000 sq ft house design that embodies its literal translation: “a pause.” The vision is to create a sanctuary for relaxation, introspection, and to escape from the constant demands of daily life – an urban void for personal retreat. Editor’s Note: “Viraam is not just a house, it’s a pause. A place to […]
The facade of this Indian contemporary house design strikes a careful balance between solids and voids, with sculpted forms that reveal the inner workings of the space. The design plays with light and shadow, creating visual depth and intrigue from the exterior. The form resembles a cuboid that has been scooped out, while the outer […]
This 5 storey building takes inspiration from ancient haveli architecture. “Hailing from north India, the family held deep nostalgia for haveli, large residences with communal courtyards called chowks, projecting balconies called jharokhas and intricate brick or stone lattice screens called jaalis, vernacular to many western and northern regions of India,” said SJK Architects partner Vaishali […]
Set in the serene landscape of Nashik, the Dabholkar Residence by GDA is a home, embracing stone clad walls. Here, tradition and contemporary design exist in harmony. Designed to reflect the family’s deep connection to tradition and art while embracing the style of contemporary living, it is a space where architectural details, heritage furniture, artwork […]
This remodelling project aimed to revitalise a load-bearing house while respecting its original integrity and adapting it to contemporary needs. The design approach prioritised minimal structural intervention, allowing the existing framework to guide spatial reconfiguration. Careful consideration was given to preserving the load-bearing walls, which formed the backbone of the original construction. Openings were strategically […]
Redefining Indian temple architecture, the relocation of the existing shrine due to a new residential project presented an opportunity to design a space that seamlessly integrates tradition with contemporary needs. The given 400 sq. ft. site was envisioned not merely as a shrine to Lord Datta, a local deity, but as a vibrant community space, […]
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 […]
This multi generational home is a testament to the ability of the design practice to blend aesthetic appeal with practical functionality. Keeping environmental sustainability and the welfare of the community at the forefront, Bhowal designed a home that was truly ahead of its time. His visionary approach and the Design Consortium’s expertise in providing a […]
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 […]
Pillar design is a cornerstone of architectural elegance, seamlessly blending structural support with aesthetic appeal. Our blog, “50 Best Pillar Design Inspirations,” celebrates this essential element, showcasing a variety of styles from classical Doric and Ionic to contemporary and avant-garde innovations. Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, or a design enthusiast, these pillar design inspirations […]