The brief for Madhura was to create two 3-BHK houses, one for each sibling with shared common spaces. It is a home designed as a response to the client’s wish for a home reminiscent of their ancestral home in Kampli, Karnataka —a quaint town near Hampi with old dwellings built in mud and stone. The challenge was to re-create a similar experience but one that is set in the current premise of the dense urban context of Bengaluru that they now call home.

Editor’s Note: In the embrace of earthy textures and lush landscapes, this architectural tapestry unfolds a serene narrative of homecoming. As one wanders through its spaces, the harmonious blend of tradition and modernity evokes a sense of warmth, inviting connection, reflection, and a celebration of life’s cherished moments. ~ Isha Bora

Madhura Merges Two 3 BHK Houses in the Dense Urban Context of Bengaluru | Design Kacheri

Formal and Informal Spaces

The 3 BHK houses are designed to be a connection to their roots and one that supports their traditional way of life. Based on our initial interactions with the family, we understood that they wanted several formal and informal spaces in the homes where they could socialize and host gatherings, like chamber concerts and religious meets.

Building Footprint

Having built on a site area of 3000 sq. ft. , we decided to stack the houses one above the other so that the built footprint is judiciously managed and also the two houses can be independent and private. The planning of these two east-facing homes strictly follows the principles of Vastu.

Concept

The idea was to connect and envelop the built spaces with landscape all around. The living rooms of both homes open to the landscape —a garden along the ground floor and a covered courtyard on the first floor. These became spillover spaces when they hosted gatherings or events.

Entrance

As one enters through the gate, the front yard and parking space greet you, lined with sira stone in random rubble patterns that set the tone for the experience ahead. The ground-floor house opens to this garden along the east side, featuring the ‘Tulasi brindavan’ (holy basil plant) as its focal point.

Planning

All the common space of the house are lined up—such as the entrance foyer, living room, dining area, puja space, and kitchen. These are parallel to this linear expanse of the garden. Henceforth, connecting them all at all times with the lush landscape while bringing in the pleasant eastern light. Meanwhile, the bedrooms open towards the decks and gardens along the sides.

First Floor

Like the garden on the ground floor, we planned the first-floor house around a covered, landscaped courtyard. The courtyard is an informal space with stepped seating.

An interesting play of light and shadows through the day created by the terracotta jali wall and the clay-tiled sloping roof with glass inserts make this space very dynamic.

Third Floor

The third level is designed as an interesting combination of open and semi-open spaces, achieved by incorporating a sloping roof adorned with clay tiles.

Terrace Floor

This terrace floor is a common space for the houses with direct separate access. Lined with plants along the periphery, the terrace also includes a pantry and some seating areas. It creates a welcoming environment for residents to enjoy.

Additionally, along with the terrace, there is a home theater and a gym on the same floor. It’s a hub for common activities through various times of the day like gardening, yoga, and outdoor movies, as well as lounging and a party space.

Material Palette

Mud and stone are the two main materials utilized in various techniques. This helped to recreate the inherent earthiness of the ancestral homes. Meanwhile, it makes the structure eco-friendly. We employed various alternative construction techniques and materials to reduce the carbon footprint. It is built using unburnt earth blocks (compressed stabilized earth blocks, or CSEB) and hollow terracotta blocks that are predominantly left exposed.

This structure has interesting roofing variations both indoors as well as along the external elevation. To reduce concrete usage in the roofs, we incorporated the filler slab technique using hollow terracotta blocks. By doing so, we not only minimized material consumption but also enhanced the overall aesthetic appeal.

These hollow blocks act as excellent thermal insulators, reducing the heat transferred from the roofs. Additionally, the jack arch and vault roof in bricks further help this purpose. The houses are a melange of different Indian stones: sira granite as rough random rubble walls and floors. Meanwhile, yellow Jaisalmer stone, kota stone in both rough and polished finishes, and leather-finished black granite contribute to the striking aesthetic.

Fact File

Designed by: Design Kacheri

Project Type: Residential Architecture Design

Project Name: Madhura House

Location: Bangalore

Year Built: 2023

Project Size: 4300 Sq.ft

Design Team: Nidhish Kurup, Chaitra Saraf, Alex Paul, Arhata Jain & Mouleeswaran R

Photograph Courtesy: Arjun Krishna

Interior Styling: Drisha Jain

Structural Consultants: Sigma Consultants

Contractors: Deepak and Ezhumalai

Source: ArchDaily

Firm’s Instagram Link: Design Kacheri

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