The house is situated on a relatively small plot of 30×40 (1200 sft) in a dense but leafy neighbourhood of J.P. Nagar (a prominent locality in South Bangalore).We call this the Minimal Indian House – ‘Minimal’, as there is no ostentation or decoration of any kind. Minimalist house design with traditional Indian elements, where the building elements like walls, floors, roof reveals, themselves as it is – walls are in stabilised mud blocks (Smb). Floor is natural Kota and the ceiling are filler slab roofing and the staircase treads are in Fossil Jaisalmer.
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The elevation façade is minimal, with staggered balconies and bay windows making it an interesting composition. The balconies are provided with planters so that the creepers can flow down the façade.
‘Indian’ because a lot of design elements are rooted in our tradition-The doors are antique door salvaged from Chettinad, refurbished and reused. The building materials used are native to our country.
The client wanted a ground and first duplex for the parents and second and third floor duplex for themselves. The requirement was challenging as there were numerous requirements but less space to plan the same.
The patterned cnc skylight animates the mud block walls and kota floors with interesting shadow patterns to create a dramatic ever changing effect. The stone and wooden columns are in the traditional design of our temples and ancient buildings.
The ground floor is allotted for the living, dining and a kitchen while the first floor houses two bedrooms with a family room opening out to a terrace. The two levels are connected with a cut out over the dining hence interconnecting the two levels visually.
Floors-Natural Kota stone instead of Vitrified Tiles. Fossil finish natural stone for staircase treads.
Doors-Reclaimed doors from Chettinad-Refurbished and reused. Antique pillars and brick jalis are used as an integral part of the interiors.
The second floor incorporates the client’s living, kitchen and utility and a study/guest room.
While the last level has the master bedroom and the study room
The third and fourth floor levels are connected by a skylit cut out with a leaf cnc pattern. The skylight lights up the kitchen and living and the cnc skylight casts interesting shadow patterns thoughout the day which animates the space.
We have used bay windows for the bedrooms -This extends the bedroom space by creating seating alcoves.
The bay windows and balconies are staggered creating an interesting façade. Projections are created in the SMB Walls to create interesting shadow patterns.
Walls made up of stabilised mud blocks-It has good thermal properties and the interiors will be cooler in summer than conventional buildings. Natural stone walls are used as highlights to break the monotony of SMB Walls
The double height space connects the two levels visually There are hanging lamps at different levels which dramatises the space
The clients were very clear that the building had to be eco friendly in as many ways as possible. Our design solution involved in allotting a corner for the vertical circulation which also had to accommodate a small lift and space for parking and the remaining portion for the main building.
We also designed the interiors for both the houses. The interiors is minimal and functional, embellished by small touches like interesting handle designs and other such details.
Wardrobes were made sliding as the rooms were small. The kitchen cabinets is finished with panelled membrane shutters and natural granite for the counters instead of Quartz
FACT FILE
Designed by : DESIGN MATTERS
Project Type : Residential Interior & Residential Architecture
Project Name : The Minimal Indian House
Location : J.P.Nagar, Bengaluru
Year Built : 2023
Duration of the project : 2 years
Plot Area : 1200 Sq.ft
Built-up Area : 3800 sq.ft
Project Size : 3800 sq.ft
Principal Architect : Ar. Kiran HanumaiahTeam Design Credits : Ar. Harshitha, Ar. Priyanka & Ar. Divya Shankar
Photograph Courtesy : Ajay Devasia
Products / Materials / Vendors : Construction Materials – Stabilised mud blocks, Filler Slab roof / Lighting – Mascon, decorative lights sourced from Chikpet / Doors and Partitions –Kelachandra Sanitaryware –Toto and Grohe / Facade Systems –Kelachandra window systems / Windows – Kelachandra and site finished wooden windows / Furniture – Client Sourced / Flooring – Kota, Jaisalmer marble / Kitchen – Vari Designs / Paint –Asian paints / Artefacts – Client Sourced
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