“Viraam,” a 4000 sq ft house design that embodies its literal translation: “a pause.” The vision is to create a sanctuary for relaxation, introspection, and to escape from the constant demands of daily life – an urban void for personal retreat.
Editor’s Note: “Viraam is not just a house, it’s a pause. A place to breathe, to slow down, and to step away from the rush of everyday life. Defined by clean lines and a restrained yet immersive form, the home is a quiet celebration of nature, light, and mindful living. Wrapped in natural materials and touches of green, Viraam is an urban sanctuary that invites stillness and reflection.” ~Rajvi Dedakiya
This 4000 sq ft House Design Unfolds Calm Lifestyle | Avani Mudra Design
This approximately 1700 sqft plot involved reimagining an existing house for a growing family and contemporary living. The north-facing site required a simplex with lower-level parking, a duplex above, and a terrace office with separate external access.
As the design developed, a key focus was maximising the natural north light from the street. Recessed openings, shielded by landscaping, provide visual privacy while allowing light to permeate.
An internal courtyard was incorporated to bring light into the deeper parts of the house and establish a strong internal connection. This introvert design, centered around the landscaped court, ensures ample natural light throughout the living spaces.
The ground floor features a simple two-bedroom unit with easy access, designed to accommodate elderly parents or serve as an independent rental in the future. The upper duplex is reached by a thoughtfully designed staircase, where integrated landscaping makes the ascent pleasant.
A large cantilevered canopy marks the top of the staircase, opening onto an external veranda with landscaping that creates the feeling of an elevated ground.
Upon entering, you are greeted by an anteroom that flows into an open-to-sky, double-height court with landscaping as a backdrop – the heart and soul of the home.
A sleek metal staircase, centrally positioned like an umbilical cord, connects the two levels while subtly screening the dining area behind. From the entrance, the full depth of the site is revealed, creating a sense of spaciousness.
The public areas of the house are oriented around this central courtyard, with two private bedrooms tucked away on the side.
The upper level houses a master suite featuring its own internal sundeck and an attached bathroom, providing convenient internal access to the home office.
A spiral staircase offers a separate external connection to the office from the lower level, serving as a distinct design element. We designed a spacious terrace with a semi-covered gazebo for small gatherings and family events, complete with a discreet pantry and hand wash area.
The material palette is intentionally earthy and natural, featuring exposed brickwork contrasted with rustic black slate stone, juxtaposed with exposed concrete and integrated landscaping. The perforated sheet metal gate with a simple MS railing provides security while also acting as a trellis for climbing creepers, effectively making the barrier almost invisible. The interior design too echoes this language.
The use of natural materials, combined with daylight and interconnected landscapes. Along with the thoughtful modulation of spaces, aims to evoke a sense of oneness. The overarching effort has been to create a unique and personal space with its own story. Further, designed to evolve over time. A sanctuary to retreat to for recharging, reflecting, and rejuvenating amidst the fast pace of modern life.
Fact File
Designed by: Avani Mudra Design
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Viraam
Location: Bangalore
Year Built: 2024
Duration of the project: 2023-2024
Project Size: 4000 Sq.ft
Project Cost: 1.5 Crore
Principal Architects: Vijay B Upadhyay & Rajani M
Team Design Credits: Sukrutha, Harshith & Sumedha
Photograph Courtesy: Shamanth Patil Photography
Project Managers: Mr. Suraj
Products / Materials / Vendors: Wallcovering / Cladding – Brick cladding / Lighting – Ikea / Doors and Partitions – Mikasa / Sanitaryware – Kohler / Facade Systems – Brick cladding / Windows – Fenesta Furniture – Fabindia , Featherlite living, Urban ladder / Flooring – Black Granite / Kitchen – Upscale Living Paint –Asian paints / Artefacts – Bimha ,Ikea
Firm’s Website Link: Avani Mudra Design
Firm’s Instagram Link: Avani Mudra Design
For Similar Projects>>>3BHK Gandhinagar Home Designed With Simplicity And Harmony
In a landscape where aspiration quietly waits, Granthalay emerges as a circular building and sanctuary for learning—gathering people, knowledge, and place into a shared civic moment. Granthalay is conceived as a civic institution that extends beyond the conventional idea of a library, responding to the acute lack of educational and community infrastructure in the district […]
A dilapidated old manor house in Jaffna peninsula, with warped roof beams, warped door windows and many structural defects were presented to the architects for refurbishment- by clients- to be refurbished as a retirement home for themselves who were returning to Sri Lanka after escaping to overseas due to the 25 years old North East […]
This residence is a sincere exploration of how architecture can remain simple, climate sensitive, cost-effective, and emotionally grounded, without compromising on spatial quality or design intent. Conceived as a 3BHK modest home for a small family, the project stands as a testament to what is possible when thoughtful planning, craft-oriented construction, and material intelligence come […]
Design, when it emerges as a living tapestry, turns the experience of living into a vibrant everyday narrative. Baldota House in Alandi, Pune by ARCHOS accommodates three generations under a single roof in the area spanning 7500 Sq. Ft. Spearheaded by the family’s desire for a generous space and a theatrical essence along with balanced […]
Few homes are celebrated for their iconic interiors, while some are celebrated for their open layouts. True to its unique context and subtleties, this home with a monochromatic palette, designed by Ar. Saumya Khanna & Ar. Sudhir Ambawata Co – founders & principle architects of SSDA Architects brings the essence of volumetric design and a […]
Adopting sustainable living today, both in design and daily life, is crucial for reducing our environmental footprint and preserving resources for future generations. In the design of this bamboo pavilion, this means using eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient technologies, and creating spaces that harmonize with natural surroundings. In daily living, sustainability involves mindful consumption, reducing waste, conserving […]
Tucked into the lush landscape of Thiruvananthapuram, Aashiyana is a residence that balances context, climate, and craft. Designed by architect Srijit Srinivas, this bungalow is conceived as more than a tropical retreat-it is a spatial journey where bold colour, filtered light, and thoughtful materials orchestrate a distinctive atmosphere. Nestled Amidst Lush Landscape Aashiyana Balances Craft […]
Situated on a compact 1200 sft south-west corner plot, this residence was conceived as an inward-looking sanctuary for a family of four — a home that balances privacy and openness, light and enclosure, within the dense urban fabric. This Residence Was Conceived As An Inward-Looking Sanctuary For A Family Of Four | The Insideout Studio […]
Project 1374 is located in one of the plotted developments in the north of Bangalore, characterized by well-demarcated plots, open spaces, spacious roads, and organized infrastructure. Trees flank the wide streets, dividing the plots with dense canopies offering shaded avenues. Abutting the plot stood a cluster of trees- a quiet presence. We borrowed these trees […]
‘Roots’ was an experiment to build sustainably but not confer to the design language typically associated with sustainable buildings. This residential project re-considers the expression of sustainable architecture through a minimalist and materially grounded lens. Located on a 4,000 sq.ft. plot, the designers conceived the house for a family of three and their pet, organizing […]