The design style followed could be called contextual regionalism, with the l shaped house blending with its closest settlement, staying low (one floor), and being nestled with the vegetation around. The project is set close to a remote village in Kanakapura district. The older houses often have unplaster brickwork or a cement plaster finish with a simple oxide floor and are laced with local Chapati stones.
Editor’s Note: “Designed in harmony with nature, this Karnataka residence draws inspiration from local craftsmanship and traditional construction techniques. Its raw beauty shines through exposed, unplastered walls and simple flooring, evoking simplicity and connectedness. The home’s spatial layout thoughtfully embraces climatic aspects, merging seamlessly with the natural surroundings.” ~Simran Khare
This L shaped House is an Exemplar of Contextual Regionalism | betweenlines
Many have tiled roofs too. The client, Madhuri Aggarwal, wanted to adapt this simple and humble material palette and contemporaries it in her house design. The l shaped house wanted to be an extension of its surroundings and not be loud.
It also wants to integrate the mango trees and foliage as a natural addition to the material palette. Light, shade, and the colour green are the additional layers of the house that were drawn out of the surroundings.
The entrance to the l shaped house is marked by a Mango tree and an inbuilt seating around. The house sits as a low horizontal bar, behind the tree, with a deep verandah, locally called Jagli.
Jagli katte (Verandah/sitting area) was the inception point of the spatial organisation. With a beautiful mango farm around and a mountain view to the north, the house wanted to have as many semi-open spaces as indoor spaces. Hence, a deep Jagli runs around the house, except for the service end-east side.
The large living area nestled within the Jagli works as a rectangular bar. The bar has one end of the sitting space and the other end of the kitchen. The living length opens to the back into a L-shaped courtyard. Two large doorways spill the living into Jagli and then to the open lawn. The living room and its length, including the kitchen, service, and bathrooms has a characteristic leaning wall that flanks it from east to west. This 12-degree incline wall holds a perpendicular inclining roof and lifts the central living room volume up to receive north light (refer to Section). The quality of light is distinct in the space, thus.
The dining and kitchen are part of and extensions of the trapezoidal living room volume. The kitchen is the heart of the house. Because the client is a food photographer, stylist, and blogger, they always center conversations about spatial organization around the kitchen. The kitchen features simple cement counters, an in-built pantry with wooden shutters, and open niches. The cooking counter overlooks the entrance mango tree and the seating onto which kids take to play board games.
The north-south-oriented bedrooms form the shorter arm of the L-shaped plan. A roof lift repeats the system of north clerestory lighting here. The inclined roof is also a design host for solar panels and solar geysers facing south.
The bedrooms overlook the valley and back end of the Jagli and have an inbuilt cot and window seating. The finishes are similar to house interiors, with soft white walls, ferroconcrete furniture, wooden ledges, and shutters.
Accessories like the Antique switch board, handmade lampshades, paintings, mirrors and collectibles feature through the house.
The Jagli around and the house interiors were built with the idea of “slow living” as a main concept. Hence, sitting, reclining, resting, lounging, contemplating, and pausing are constant intangible forces that fabricate the house.
Considering that the view, elevation (altitude), and light were all the better towards the north, the spine wall of the house running east-west inclines 12 degrees, lifting the roof slab by the same angle perpendicularly, allowing for the north clerestory light condition.
The 12-degree angle also makes the inclining roof slab a suitable host for solar panels and solar geyser units. This geometrical shift defines the interior space as a trapezoidal extrusion, with light cutting in from the north-south side. Essentially, the house is this tube, flanked by the low Jagli roof all around.
Fact File
Designed by: betweenlines
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Aamra
Location: Kanakapura, Karnataka
Year Built: 2023
Duration of the project: 2 Years
Plot Area: 44000 Sq.ft
Project Size: 3300 Sq.ft
Project Cost: 1 Crore
Principal Architect: Deepa Suriyaprakash & Guru Prasanna. C
Team Design Credits: Deepa Suriyaprakash, Dhivya Ganesan & Aswani Pulikkal
Photograph Courtesy: Vandana_ar
Interior Styling: Madhuri Aggarwal
Products / Materials / Vendors: Nuvocotto / Wallcovering / Cladding – Brick and concrete walls Construction Materials – Framed structure , concrete, concrete block walls, exposed brick wall, oxide, Kota stone , mud plaster, MS grill works, Terracotta tiles / Doors and Partitions – Upcycled doors / Sanitaryware – Jaquar, Ikea / Windows – Aluminium windows / Furniture – Inbuilt, or upcycled / Flooring – Kota stones pre polished. / Kitchen – Ikea sink and ferroconcrete counter top / Paint – Asian paints
Consultants for the Project: Civil – Guruprasad Kalkura Associates / Contractors – Ranga constructions / Interior Styling – Madhuri Aggarwal
Firm’s Instagram Link: betweenlines
Firm’s Facebook Link: betweenlines
For Similar Project >> “ILAINAYAM” BY STUDIO SKAI IS AN AMALGAMATION OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY WITH TRADITIONAL VALUES
Nestled within Prakriti Farms, this residence epitomizes rustic farmhouse interior design charm and a deep connection with the natural world. Its elegance lies in its emphasis on elemental materials and its seamless integration with the surrounding landscape. With three bedrooms and a spacious living area, the home was strategically designed in an L shape to […]
House of Heights: How design shapes relationships and well-being? “A house can transform its people. The living room, the tallest space in my home, is where we socialize, express our feelings, and spend the most time—an open arena for life’s conversations. The impact of front elevation design on home and harmony further emphasizes how thoughtful design […]
Spacious, inviting, and intimate, courtyards have an integral place in the vernacular architecture across India. Beyond their climatic purposes, courtyards assume the role of a social space, a space for contemplation, and a space where something happens. Their presence in various forms, proportions, and sizes has been a ubiquitous feature in Indian vernacular architecture. The […]
Located in Bangalore, opposite a large neighborhood park, a set of 4 houses was to be built—one of which was to be the personal house for the client, and the others were to be let out. The intent of these Bangalore homes was to create a quiet presence on the street and evoke a sense of […]
The modern residence integrates contemporary architecture with biophilic design principles, offering a luxurious and nature-connected living experience. The exterior features clean lines, landscaped lawns, and vertical green walls that soften the structure while promoting sustainability. The minimalist contemporary interior designs of this are designed with an open-plan layout, double-height ceilings, and large glass openings, ensuring […]
Some homes are big on square footage but don’t maximize space—and then some compact ones make the most of precious space at a premium. Located in Bangalore, this 3,000 sq. ft. villa interior design exemplifies this residential project, exploring staggered volumes that led to creating spaces at multiple levels, including a mezzanine floor. As per […]
In the heart of Gurugram, where the city’s energy pulses with both hard work and hard play, a 2600 sq. ft. rooftop terrace design has been transformed into the ultimate hangout spot. Designed for the young and the young at heart, this terrace captures the spirit of a city that knows how to balance the […]
In the vibrant town of Kannur, Kerala, the contemporary house design of this residence is more than a home—it’s a sanctuary designed to nurture both body and soul. Built for a family of five, it blends minimalist elegance with everyday comfort, creating a space that feels alive, welcoming, and deeply connected to nature. Editor’s Note: […]
The one-acre site of Saukhya Farm is nestled in the lush valley of Beze Village, on the outskirts of Nashik. Surrounded by small farms, it offers sweeping views of Beze Dam and the surrounding hills. The clients’ brief was to transform the site into a farmhouse and to cultivate part of it into an orchard. Work […]
Nestled on the bustling Karnavati Road in Ahmedabad, this modern residence spans over a 10,881 sq. ft. corner plot, seamlessly integrating form, function, and tranquility. The house is thoughtfully planned in an L-shaped configuration of this house design, with its entry oriented to the east and a lush garden strategically placed in the southwest corner […]