Reconstructing An Ancestral Home To Modern-Minimal Aesthetics | K&M Design Studio
Set in a prime location in Bengaluru, the J-172 house is a careful reconstruction of an ancestral home, to meet the growing needs of the family, without disturbing the structural integrity of the house. Modern, minimal aesthetics were the basis of design, wood became the primary choice of material as per client brief, and planning was vastly determined using concepts of Vastu (traditional Indian science of spatial design and placement).
Visit: K&M Design Studio
Though confined within the boundaries of the existing structure, we were able to provide playful yet functional planning. The entrance foyer divides the house into public, semi-public, and private spaces. To the right is the formal living room and to the left are the family room, kitchen, and elders’ bedrooms.
The first floor comprises 2 more bedrooms, an open study, and auxiliary spaces along with a garden attached to the Master Bedroom. The indoor garden can also be accessed by the outside corridor and provides a calming breakout space for meditative or recreational activities.
A cut-out in the ground floor slab opened up a double-heighted space which connects the family space to the first floor study. The large fenestration brings enough daylight throughout the day and also creates a garden extension to the family room.
An L shape concrete structure with grilled openings was added to attain 2 specific things- privacy from the neighbours as well as from guests. It also serves as a vertical green wall and adds to the charm of the entrance as well as the private garden.
The main door is a 1350mm wide 3/4th pivot Corbusier style wooden door, reinforced with stainless steel sub-structure giving it sturdiness without weight gain.
The family room acts as the central hub of the house with most of the activities revolving around it. The open kitchen layout along with the custom made dining table invites casual conversations over meal preps while the informal window seats provide the perfect reading corner.
All bedrooms integrate creative usage of wood to accentuate different elements. Adequate natural light and ventilation, mood lighting, and uncluttered spaces make them the perfect space to relax and unwind.
Large openings are confined to the north and east side to minimize heat gain. The double-height window towards the east side gets further shaded with the L shape green wall. The house remains lit, ventilated, and cool throughout the day.
The elevation form is a bold wooden box intersecting with the white mass which sits in stark contrast to the lush green surroundings. Multiple layers of floating planters provide relief and a soft touch to the solid masses. The entrance pathway to the house gets adorned with Kadappa stone cladding and a garden along the passage endowed with large plants. The ever-changing flora around the house gives it a dynamic look throughout the year.
FACT FILE:
Architecture Firm: K&M Design Studio
Project Name: House J172
Scope: Full House Renovation
Firm Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Clients: Mr. Somashekhar
Completion Year: 2018
Gross Built Area: 376 sqm
Project Location: Bangalore
Lead Architects: Ankur Manchanda, Konda Sri Harsha
Photo Credits: Ankur Manchanda
Website: www.km-ar.in
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kmstudioblr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kmstudioblr/
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 […]