The brief from the client was to design a house for 3 on a 1200 sq.ft site—working techie couple with a young daughter and the occasional guest with 3 bedrooms and 2 car parks. This had to be done within a certain budget.
Editor’s Note: The earthy home in Bangalore explores multiple possibilities to experiment with brick volumes and textures. The double-height jali and the artificial lighting welcome warmth into the interiors, while the greenery further enhances the space. Although designed under constraints, efficient spatial planning creates an aura of abundance. The coffered ceiling above the traditional jhula is a perfect example of blending contemporary and traditional Indian architecture. – Gopika Pramod
A House Where Design Can Bring in Lots of Sunshine | Design Matters
They wanted a house which was’ not just another regular house ‘-A house where design can bring in lots of sunshine, spaces which delight with interesting volumes. They wanted efficient utilsation of the space as the space was limited. They liked the colour and tone of brick walls and wanted to use it for highlight walls.
Since the site was relatively small-30’x40’ ie.1200 site, we located the car park, lobby with lift and staircase and the guest bedroom with its toilet in the ground floor. This was done so we get the entire first floor footprint for designing a large living, dining, kitchen, utility and powder room.
The living ,dining and kitchen is a large seamless space with a double height courtyard area in between. The courtyard wall has a stunning double height jali which creates interesting shadow patterns depending on the seasons.
The courtyard is only differentiated by a flooring pattern of diagonal Jaisalmer marble square panels to highlight this area. The courtyard is skylight with a coffered ceiling-alternating panels of solids and voids.
The visual connection of the second floor bedrooms to the first floor is an important element as it gives the house a duplex feel and a feeling of spaciousness, Connecting the two is a small family/lounge area looking down to the court and the Jali wall.
We introduced a glass lift between the staircase as one has to access three levels and it would be convenient for the elderly to access the living dining as its on the first floor.
The second floor accommodates both the bedrooms with their respective walk in wardrobes and toilet. Each bedroom has a louvred window which when opened ,looks down to the courtyard
We took inspiration from the amazing Indian modern architecture done by our contemporaries.
We wanted to use a contemporary language and blend it with brick wall accents which would make it a bit more earthy and relatable.
The central skylight courtyard done in innumerable Indian homes was another inspiration, but we adapted the same concept without a level difference-A more seamless space which lights up the central part of the house and creates interesting patterns of light due to the coffered skylight in this area…hence this courtyard and the double height jali wall is the USP of the project.
The materials used is conventional RCC and solid block walls. However,the walls are highlighted with locally sourced wire cut brick cladding. The flooring consists mainly of Kota look alike tile from Ezio and the courtyard consists of Jaisalmer marble inlays. The treads of the steps is also made up of Jaisalmer marble. Brick Jalis are sourced from Nuvocotto.
Fact File
Designed by: Design Matters
Project Type: Residential Interior & Architecture Design
Project Name: ’Vivek’s Residence’
Location: Bangalore
Year Built: 2022-2023
Duration of the project: 18 Months
Plot Area: 1200 Sq.ft
Built-up Area: 3200 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ar. Kiran Hanumaiah
Team Design Credits: Ar. Harshitha Chandrashekhar, Abhijith,Zeeshan & Femi Thomas(Interiors)
Photograph Courtesy: Ajay Devasia
Products / Materials / Vendors: Wallcovering / Cladding –Locally sourced wire cut brick cladding Construction Materials –Solid cement block walls and RCC Roof / Lighting –Mascon, WIPRO, decorative lights sourced from Chikpet / Doors and Partitions –Custom made / Sanitaryware –Jaguar / Windows –Upvc windows by Seccurit / Furniture –Client Sourced / Flooring – tiles from ENZIO,Jaisalmer marble for highlights and staircase / Kitchen –Dimension Interio / Paint –Asian paints / Artefacts –Client Sourced Lights-Beruru Jali-Nuvocotto
Consultants for the Project: Civil – Mr.Nagaraj Kolkere / Structure Engineers – Yogesh Babu / Lighting Designers – Design Matters, Bangalore / Quantity Surveyors – Mr. Srinivas Bhat
Firm’s Website Link: Design Matters
Firm’s Instagram Link: Design Matters
Firm’s Facebook Link: Design Matters
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