Complete energy efficiency and a thriving landscape fit for a bird enthusiast—this was the driving force behind Breathe, Bangalore. With the residence only covering a quarter of the entire plot, an opportunity arose for the contoured land to be a sanctuary of sorts for the built form. Taking advantage of the inherent site levels, the house perches on the highest parcel, opening to a reserve forest to the east; BETWEENLINES designed “Breathe”, an earth house with locally-made compressed earth blocks, brick jaalis and courtyards.
“Breathe”, An Earth House With Locally-Made Compressed Earth Blocks, Brick Jaalis And Courtyards | betweenlines
Visit : betweenlines
Editor’s note: “BREATHE” is indeed an accurate name for this project. The earthen palette of chosen locally-sourced materials emphasizes an eco-living lifestyle. Here, the designers have incorporated various interesting details such as; graphical flooring patterns, stained windows in the staircase, perforated wall patterns in the bricks, and leaf inlays in the concrete. As part of the eco-living concept, the house showcases rammed earth walls with a clever tire foundation, another detail to consider. ~ Aditi Shah (editor)
Most of the material was taken from in and around the immediate site. Conventional SSM construction at the foundation was replaced with Rammed earth bed and Random rubble masonry unearthed from the site belly. As a further step, a redundancy study with the structural engineer replaced areas of lesser load transfer with vehicle tyres filled and rammed with earth making them into compressed earth discs, laid at infill zones.
This step effectively cut cost, energy, construction miles and added to the core philosophy. Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks made locally and rammed earth walls keeps the project contextually relevant and the house easy to maintain.
The concept of energy-efficiency extends to the inside, much like the rays of light through the perforations on the curved Jaali wall wherein the perforations also invite birds to nest in them—a living, breathing skin.
The Jaali aids in ventilation with micro Chajjas made with waste Granite trims from the quarry laid course to course adapting to the overhang-less edges of the house, and not only protecting the earth walls from weathering but also shading it from the western sun.
The inner courtyard enclosed on top by Ferroconcrete fins brings in a dynamic shadow play through the day. The system of courtyards provides thermal comfort. Athangudi tiles, handmade from the Chettinadu region was the farthest from which a material found its way into Breathe.
Having seen the adverse effects of excess quarrying, the clients were clear not to use energy-mongering tiles for the flooring. Hence Athangudi in available patterns were taken and a gradient was created.
Additionally, the muted earth walls were contrasted by the vibrant palette of the tiles, creating a specific ambiance to the house.
Upcycled wood in the staircase and window frames, reused tiles in the bathroom and decorative imprints of local leaves on concrete surfaces—a residence that takes from and gives to its surroundings. Perhaps most importantly, the surrounding rain garden helps make water become one with the land creating a small ecosystem.
The swale and retention pond – source, recharge and reuse water, supported by native plant species that create a lush habitat for the birds and animals that visit.
A wide range of native plant species was identified and planted around the swale and the rest of the plot landscape based on privacy, land marshiness, seasonal response and density.
By the completion of the project, the land attracted a lot more fauna than at the outset, achieving the goal of a thriving ecosystem. Thus the unbuilt gave meaning to the built, and the built, in turn, allows the unbuilt to flourish.
FACT FILE
Designed by : betweenlines
Project Type : Residential Architecture Design
Project Name : Breathe
Location : Bangalore
Year Built : 2022
Duration of project : 4 years
Project Size: sq feet : 2400 Sq.ft
Project Cost : 1.5 Crore
Principal Architects : Deepa Suriyaprakash & Guru Prasanna. C
Team Design Credits : Deepa Suriyaprakash, Guru Prasanna, Vanessa D’Souza, Jayanth G B, Dheeraj Belgaonkar, Aswani S L, Varsha Nambiar, Meenal Suresh, Anupama Prakash, Thamanna Fatima, Nainika Dasegowda, Iman Hashim & Vaishnavi.
Landscape Architects : Smrithi Balvalli
Photograph Courtesy : Raji Sunderkrishnan
Products/Materials/Vendors : Wall Finish – Earth finish with “Zycosil” weather coating / Flooring – Athangudi tiles / Openings – Upcycled doors and windows / Counters – Ferroconcrete finish / Storage – Pallet wood & packaging wood.
Firm’s Website Link : betweenlines
Firm’s Instagram Link : betweenlines
Firm’s Facebook Link : betweenlines
For Similar Project >>Chuzhi House Is A 2BHK Residence Designed With An Open Layout And Minimalist Interior Design
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 […]
In this modern luxury home, courtyards spill into living spaces, and the lines between inside and outside dissolve into a seamless whole. This 17,800 sq. ft. bungalow in Anand, by Hiren Patel Architects, blurs the boundaries between landscape, architecture, and interiors, creating a home where nature isn’t just the backdrop but an integral part of […]
Nestled in the foothills of the Shivalik range, the Himalayas is our latest project, Ekasham — a private residence refurbishment and redevelopment project, spread across an area of 2177 sqm. The monolithic home, through its volumes, composed of old and new structures, merges into a singular silhouette evoking the presence of a monolith from which […]
Ishaar is rooted in the belief that architecture should not just be seen, but deeply felt. Drawing from brutalist principles and natural tactility, the holiday villa is designed as a sensory retreat, where material, sound, light, and temperature shape the guest’s experience. Set amidst rural farmland, the villa dissolves into its landscape through a choreography […]
“Vishram Vaadi Nu Ghar” means a serene retreat amidst mango and chikoo farms, crafted to reflect the client’s vision in their mother tongue Gujarati. Vishram is a serene ground-touch structure offering breathtaking views of the Purna River and is a thoughtful example of countryside house design. Nestled amidst lush Amba and Chikoo Vaadi, the design […]
This single-story sustainable home in Ezhupunna blends traditional Kerala architecture with tropical, eco-friendly design. Inspired by the “kullakadavu” concept, a central pond encourages family interaction while enhancing the landscape. This Ezhupunna Home is Rooted in Eco-friendly Design | Judson Associates Architects & Interiors Despite being near lakes and beaches, adding a pond improves year-round moisture […]
In the heart of New Anjar, a small town tucked into the arid landscape of Kachchh, Gujarat, sits one of those modest houses designed with a quiet sense of clarity. Built for a Muslim family spanning three generations, the home isn’t trying to make a bold statement from its street-facing façade. Instead, it leans into […]
AME Studio was envisioned as a versatile yet understated architectural expression, reflecting our love for modest and unassuming architecture. AME Studio was envisioned as a versatile yet understated architectural expression, reflecting our love for modest and unassuming studio architecture. The design of AME Studio went beyond fulfilling a set of functional requirements; it was about […]
The house showcases a modern three-story residence exemplifying contemporary architectural design through its clean lines, geometric volumes, and a balanced interplay of materials. The facade skillfully combines textured tile cladding, smooth plaster, and contrasting color blocks in neutral shades of gray, black, and earthy rust, adding visual depth and dynamism. Expansive glass panels framed in […]
House of Silhouettes is located in Navratan, Udaipur. The plot is a corner one facing north and west 60’x40′ with a built-up area of 6500 sq.ft., designed in contemporary modern architecture as an independent house at three levels, including terrace. House of Silhouettes Reflects Contemporary Modern Architecture | Shaunak Singh and Associates This contemporary residence […]