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
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. […]
This project is located in Ben Tre, Vietnam, and was completed in 2021. With a total area of 430m2, the project set within concrete vaults includes 3 bedrooms and one living room, each with a view of the nearby river. Concrete Vaults Form The Main Identity Of This Vietnamese Home | VTN Architects The ground […]
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 […]
Noah’s Ark is a contemporary residence designed as a calm and welcoming home with a clear planning. The client’s brief was to create a home that felt simple, warm, and timeless without becoming overly minimal or impersonal. Noah’s Ark responds by blending clear planning, honest materials, and personal elements, resulting in a house that is […]
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 […]
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 […]