The initial goal of this modern brick house was to restrict the design to a set budget and maximise the use of the plot boundaries. Located in a dense residential neighbourhood of Gadag, this detached corner brick house sits on a plot of 50×40 feet. Roads flank on the east and north. Despite the small plot size, these converging roads provide an open foreground, allowing ample natural light to enter the building. Large openings are on the east façade to take advantage of this openness. The owners, a retired couple, had only two main suggestions.
Editor’s Note: “This brick house in the neighbourhood of Gadag has a spacious interior within a compact site and a limited budget. The warm, earthy interiors visually connect spaces despite the solid three-tired exterior, inviting nature through the courtyards and openings. The exposed brick jali adds a unique touch to the form that considers the conscious choice of materials.” – Gopika Pramod
This Modern Brick House Restricts The Design To A Set Budget | Jacob + Rathodi Architects
The house stands out from its surroundings due to its contrasting hue and form. While the building is a solid form from the outside, the interior contradicts this perception, revealing that the outer form is merely a shell encompassing a large volume within.
The interior feels more voluminous compared to its footprint. The design of the house have two main aspects: spatial volume and the choice of building materials.
Volume, being the central axis, is curated by a large triple-height void that also connects all levels of the dwelling. The sleeping spaces are the only enclosed rooms, while the rest are fluid spaces that blend into the void at various levels.
This void is further subdivided by bridges that span the two upper floors, transforming the volume into transparent, visually connected spaces nested within a concrete shell.
Moreover, a residual garden court at the side anchors the dining space, forming the base of this high volume. The dining space also serves as a vantage point from any level of the house.
The other design consideration was the conscious choice of materials, specifically exposed brick and mild steel. However, the colour palette for the house was primarily derived from the natural hues of these materials, including bricks, steel, wood, and granite.
Both the interior and exterior are dressed in exposed bricks arranged in various patterns to create natural texture and colour. A steel plate trellis that rises from ground level envelops the double-height garden court and extends to the skylight in the roof.
Designed as a security feature, this trellis also serves as an architectural element, integrating the garden with the interior while addressing security concerns. The screen wall at the staircase is composed of bricks framed by mild steel I-sections, forming a key feature of the triple-height void.
Steel is also used for railings, car porch roof trellis, window framing, roof edging, and built-in cabinetry, contributing to a minimalist aesthetic. These materials are exposed in their true form to create an intentional character in the building.
Skylights, large windows, and wall openings with glass blocks allow natural light to penetrate deep into the interior spaces, merging the dwelling into a burst of light, shadow, and brightness.
Fact File
Designed by: Jacob + Rathodi Architects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Corner Brick House
Location: Gadag, Karnataka
Year Built: 2019
Duration of the project: 18 Months
Plot Area: 2000 Sq.ft
Built-up Area: 3100 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Ar. Girish Rathodi & Ar. Vineetha Sara Jacob
Photograph Courtesy: Sudheer Hegde
Civil: Rabani Nagral
Products / Materials / Vendors: Wallcovering / Cladding – Exposed Brick / Lighting – Hybec / Sanitaryware – American Standards / Windows – My Windows / Paint –Asianpaints
Firm’s Instagram Link: Jacob + Rathodi Architects
Firm’s Facebook Link: Jacob + Rathodi Architects
For Similar Project>> The Beautifully Designed Central Court Is The Soul Of The Monolithic House
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 […]